Jakob Poeltl's Insane Impact On Raptors After Just 3 Games

"I feel like I've been getting more comfortable with each game out there." 

That was an understatement by Jakob Poeltl. It was obvious to see just from watching the game: The newly-re-acquired center led the Toronto Raptors to their win over the Orlando Magic Tuesday night with a season-high 30 points, 9 rebounds and 6 blocked shots, while hitting on 15-of-17 shots from the field. 

But his impact on the team overall simply can't be overstated. Check out these numbers:

Jakob Poeltl as a Raptor, 3-game on/off sample update

Poeltl on (ORtg/DRtg/eFG%/Opp. eFG%): 124.1/103.6/60.9/52.1

Poeltl off: 112.9/130.2/52.4/66.4

— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) February 15, 2023

Simplified, when Poeltl is on the floor, the Raptors' offensive rating is 124.1, which would be far and away the best in the NBA (the Denver Nuggets are #1 at 117.6). But when he's off the floor, it drops to 112.9, which would be 20th in the league.

On the defensive side of the ball, with Poeltl in the game, the Raptors' defensive rating is 103.6, ridiculously better than any team in the NBA this season; but with him on the bench, the team's defensive rating plummets to a league-worst 130.2.

Talk about having an impact. 

After the deadline day deal that brought Poeltl back to Toronto from the San Antonio Spurs for Khem Birch and a partially-protected first-rounder, the 7'1" Austrian center was still a bit humble in his thoughts about finally providing the Raptors with something they've been missing for a couple of years, an actual impact center. 

Poeltl was asked if it’s felt like he’s filling a hole with the Raptors: “Yeah, I think that was the goal of the trade, that I could fill that true center position. I feel like I’ve been getting more comfortable with each game out there.”

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) February 15, 2023

“Yeah, I think that was the goal of the trade, that I could fill that true center position. I feel like I’ve been getting more comfortable with each game out there.”

If he gets any more comfortable than 30-9-6 blocks, this league is in trouble. 

Photo: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports