The wheels keep on turning for the Ja’Kobe Walter hype train.
Despite a deflating 120-98 loss to the Suns, the Raptors’ second-year swingman continues to impress with his minutes on the court. Walter logged 26 minutes, during which he scored 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 from deep. He also contributed three rebounds and one assist in the affair.
I’ve been closely covering Walter lately, and of course, I’m more than happy to see him riding this wave of momentum for the Raptors, even if they’ve been splitting wins and losses. In fact, you could strongly argue that Ja’Kobe Walter has been Toronto’s most impressive player since the All-Star break.
Consider the key developments during this period: Walter’s three-point shooting has been exceptional, increasing from 35.0 percent to 45.0 percent. It’s especially encouraging to see this boost in efficiency accompanied by an uptick in shot attempts (3.2 to 4.0).
Ja’Kobe Walter’s growth is hard to ignore in post All-Star break sample
Elsewhere, you’ll notice small jumps all around the floor for Ja’Kobe Walter, which can be attributed to his increased minutes and expanding role. This is especially evident after the Raptors appeared to move on from the internal competition with Gradey Dick and fully embraced Walter’s development.
He’s a sound perimeter defender, and that three-point leap — though occurring late in the season when some statistical upticks might be considered a bit inflated — represents a key development for the Raptors to build on. The team currently lacks a diverse range of reliable shooters, and while players like Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley have been strong three-point threats for Toronto, the fanbase has long hoped for one of the Raptors’ youngsters to step up in that area.
Recent criticism directed at the Raptors is their lapses in collective drive and energy on defense — except for their key defensive ace, Scottie Barnes. However, Walter has been a bright spot amidst this downturn. Over the past few games, particularly in the last five, he has consistently displayed hustle and a willingness to give maximum effort. Just look at what he did against the Nuggets a couple nights ago, securing the block and three-point shot in transition in back-to-back highlights.
I believe that adding a few more pounds to his frame could elevate his role even further, helping him become a more solid finisher at the rim and enhancing his already promising defensive impact. Coach Darko seems to have already expressed his belief in that ability, as he mentioned in a recent post-game presser. It’s a key aspect to keep an eye on as Walter continues his Raptors tenure.
All in all, this is a bold statement to the Raptors coaching staff and front office: Ja’Kobe Walter could very well be their secret weapon to unleash in the playoffs.
