Raptors' Jakob Poeltl on ways to slow down Joel Embiid

Raptors centre Jakob Poeltl touches on the upcoming road trip and what he’s learned are crucial factors in keeping 76ers centre Joel Embiid in control.

Video Transcript

- All right, how are you feeling about this road trip?

JAKOB POELTL: I mean, it's a road trip. Obviously, we'd rather play at home. But I'm feeling pretty good about it. I feel like we've been playing really well lately. We just got to transfer it over to the road and come out with some good performances there.

- When it comes to Joel, of course, he's quite the task to guard. What stands out to you about his game and the first threat that he presents?

JAKOB POELTL: I mean, it's just the duality between him being very physical and athletic and then at the same time having really good touch and being a very skillful player. So you got to figure out a way to guard both. And it's going to take a team effort. But I think we're prepared for it.

- Does it feel much different now compared to maybe three or four years ago, where if he took a 16-footer, maybe it's like, OK, I could live with that. And now at the rate he's hitting it, is just like, I got to do something more to prevent that?

JAKOB POELTL: I mean, I'd say that every team has its different strategies in guarding it. I'd say we prefer to be on the aggressive side, try and get the ball out of his hands, try and let somebody else make a play. But yeah, I think it's just a matter of different mentality. Some teams are going to be like, take the less effective shot even though he's making it a very high percentage. Other teams are going to be more like us, I guess.

- Is he better than he used to be?

JAKOB POELTL: Is he better than he used to be?

- Yeah.

JAKOB POELTL: I'd say so, yeah. I think he's improved every year. I mean, it's hard to tell. I don't watch that many 6es games. So yeah, but I think he's better.

- Is he the toughest guy you have to guard?

JAKOB POELTL: Oh, he's definitely up there. There's a couple of different guys that are difficult to guard for different reasons. I always say he's tough because he's also good at drawing fouls. So he is big. I have to be really careful about finding that balance between being aggressive. And at the same time, I don't want to sit down on a bench with three fouls in the first quarter. So yeah, it's tough to find that balance against him.

- Is the biggest thing for that just showing your hands, or is it different for a big man?

JAKOB POELTL: I mean, there's all kinds of different things. You got to show your hands. You got to know when to step up. You've got to be the second jumper. You've got to still be close up to him so that they're not just rhythm shots for him. You got to know when to just, I guess, give up on a play, like when he has to step on you. It's just two points. Sometimes, it's not worth trying to make that extra play if it's going to cost you a bunch of minutes on the court.

- Is there anyone harder to prevent getting to their spot than him?

JAKOB POELTL: That's tough. I mean, I'm sure there's other guys out there. But again, it's the same thing. I'm sure he's up there with the best of them.

- You've obviously been going up against Pascal in the last few years. But even looking back, day in and day out, what's the biggest thing that stands out in his approach [INAUDIBLE]?

JAKOB POELTL: I think the biggest thing that's changed over the years is just how comfortable he's gotten in his mid-range game. That's something that stands out to me because I mean, I saw Pascal play. And we played him twice a year. But now seeing it on a daily basis, how comfortable he's gotten in those [INAUDIBLE] situations between multiple moves and then getting into his rhythm in mid-range shot is really impressive. The skill development there, I think that's the one thing that stood out the most.

- Does he remind you of DeMar a little bit?

JAKOB POELTL: I mean, it's different playstyles. But yeah, I guess in that sense, they're similar with that mid-range game.

- [INAUDIBLE] as a rookie?

JAKOB POELTL: He did not, absolutely no chance. He was a rim runner.

- How does that change your thought process as [INAUDIBLE]?

JAKOB POELTL: What do you mean, Pascal's game?

- Yeah, say you [INAUDIBLE], hey, he's good. He's in his spot.

JAKOB POELTL: I mean, yeah, with guys like that, that like to play in isolation, a lot of times it's about getting him the right match-up. So sometimes, we'll just set a screen to get a switch for him and then space out to give him his room for his isolation. Sometimes, it's about trying to slip out of a screen or just confuse the defense for a second. There's different things to it. It's very different, playing pick and roll with Pascal than it would be with Fred, for example. So yeah, it's just different mindsets, I guess.

- How was the pick and roll different? I remember we talked about just the way that, you know how Fred likes his screen set and just the timing of that. How is it different playing off of Scottie?

JAKOB POELTL: I'd say Fred and Scottie aren't all too different. They're both really looking for that pocket. So I'm trying to set the screen and then get out and be available in the pocket for the pass. I think the main difference is maybe the angle of the screen. Teams are going to go under Scottie a little bit more than they're going to go on Freddy.

But if I get him going downhill, Scottie obviously is tough once I get him going to the paint. It's going to be tough for the defense to stop him there. So if I get the right angle and give him an attacking play, that's going to be more helpful. With Fred, I'm trying to set the screen-- maybe give him a chance to to pull up right behind the screen and then roll out a little bit later. Yeah, I mean, there are small details that are different, but--