The nascent Spurs were defeated in New Orleans in April and missed the playoffs for the third straight year. “I’m not crying after that,” said Pöltl when asked about the ongoing postseason, which he has to follow from afar. A play-off participation would also have been a very positive surprise, less surprising was the further development of the 2.16 meter center, who also distinguished himself as a leading player.
“I am satisfied with my personal performance. It was another step in the right direction, but I would like to keep improving,” emphasized Pöltl, who set several personal bests in his sixth season: 13.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 29 minutes Playing time – it has never gone so well on average. As far as his future is concerned, Pöltl sees himself well positioned. “I would like to stay in San Antonio, but a trade would not be new to me either. I’m not worried, I think I could make it to other teams in the NBA.”
“I was involved in trade talks”
Pöltl has long since made a name for himself in the NBA, with only two players outperforming his 3.9 offensive rebounds per game. At 1.7 blocks, it’s also in the top five in a different category. “There are enough things where I can improve. It’s also about becoming more flexible,” says Pöltl ambitiously. He has long been an important part of the Spurs, but his strengths have also made him interesting for other teams. In the winter, his name came up around the trade deadline. “I was involved in trade talks,” says Pöltl, who, with around eight million euros a year, is one of the low-income regulars in his position.
Pöltl is still under contract with the Spurs for one year, an early contract extension is possible in the near future, as is another trade that took him from Toronto to San Antonio in 2018. “I don’t think about it too much now,” said Pöltl, who will also increase his salary by 2023 at the latest. The Viennese still feels completely at home in Texas, “I get a lot of minutes, the confidence. That’s how I like to play basketball. I’m not interested in teasing out a few million more.”
Although the current phase of the five-time NBA champion could be nicer. “It’s normal in the NBA to be in midfield,” said Pöltl. “This year the focus was on developing the young team and gaining experience, for example in terms of the play-in.” The hopes rest above all on the superstar on the sidelines, legendary coach Gregg Popovich. “I assume he will continue, maybe for a few more years. He still has the energy,” said Pöltl, who has chosen the Golden State Warriors as his favorites this year, about the 73-year-old old champion.
Highlight throw: “Even ‘Pop’ made a joke”
Apparently it’s not about having fun. After his highlight throw of the season, a half-time buzzer beater from the middle line, Pöltl was also a topic of conversation in the Spurs dressing room in the days that followed. “Even ‘Pop’ made a joke,” smiled Pöltl, who also liked to joke. “I knew he was going in.” The team chemistry is generally right, which also makes staying attractive.
Perhaps there will soon be Austrian additions to the NBA, with Vorarlberger Luka Brajkovic hoping to be drafted. “He has the talent,” says Pöltl, who knows, however, that “a team also needs luck and trust”. In another US sport, Bernhard Raimann is a newcomer to the Indianapolis Colts football team. “It would be nice if something developed here too.”
Pöltl is happy to be back in Austria for a few weeks, although his luggage is still a long time coming after his arrival on Tuesday. The modest local sports star is less interested in material things anyway. “Seeing friends and family is the best thing.” This year, after a two-year pandemic break, the Jakob Pöltl Camp for eight to 14-year-olds is back on the program. “I am really looking forward to the camp taking place again. I just want to have fun with the kids, teach them something.”
National team more likely than Oktoberfest
The Austrian Basketball Association (ÖBV) can also look forward to Pöltl’s return to the national team. “That’s absolutely an issue.” At the end of the first round of the pre-qualification for the 2025 European Championship finals, the ÖBV men in Salzburg still meet Ireland (June 30) and Cyprus (July 3). “It looks good,” remarked Pöltl. There are still details to be clarified regarding his insurance, but the Spurs and the NBA have pledged their support.
Pöltl wants to strengthen the national team
Basketball export Jakob Pöltl is currently visiting Vienna after his sixth NBA season. But there isn’t much time to relax, because Pöltl wants to strengthen the national team again this year after a four-year break.
Until then, Pöltl is training and enjoying his time in Vienna, where more and more people are recognizing him. “Every year a little more, but not comparable to San Antonio.” On the one hand, that doesn’t bother him, on the other hand, the sporting priorities are somewhere else. Pöltl takes this calmly, as well as the hardships in the course of an NBA season. Because of his development overseas, he has to wait with a project because “I’ve always wanted to go to the Oktoberfest”.
