MINEAPOLIS – Jordan Poole was a big reason for the Warriors to open this season as a burning house. The three-year-old averaged 16.7 points per game in the first two months or more of the season, serving as a starting defender while Clay Thompson completed his rehabilitation for Achilles.
Poole was electric for the first 28 games of the season. He threatened the Warriors with a hit to Curry and provided the much-needed offensive pop leading the second division of Golden State. Thompson’s return sent Poole in the role of the sixth man, and the young guard’s game has since waned and flowed as he struggled to find a solid foundation.
It is no coincidence that the decline in Poole’s game is combined with the Warriors’ skating in 2022 (14-11 in their last 25 games), culminating in a rotten February in which he shot 41.1 percent of the field and 25, 9 percent of depth. He was not so aggressive in attack or so vigilant in defense. During the Warriors’ 107-101 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, Poole scored just four points and went 0-for-7 off the field.
With 21 games left, the Warriors know they need the best from Poole to reappear. Coach Steve Kerr is convinced it will happen.
“He had a great year,” Kerr said Tuesday before the Warriors’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. “It simply came to our notice then. He had a hard night. I could have done a better job of trying to help him find a rhythm. I probably didn’t play it enough in the first half. These matches, they all matter, but they are 82. So never worry too much about a match with any of them. I look at the big picture and the big picture is that Jordan had a fantastic year and we have a lot of faith in him.
“He had a great year and was a big reason for our success,” Kerr continued. “He is only in his third year. He still has a lot of growth to do, which is exciting. It just has to keep working. He is one of our most diligent workers and he has a great approach and a really bright future, so it’s exciting. “
After losing to Mavericks, Steph Curry said Poole needed to stay “engaged” and be more “flexible” for the Warriors to get the most out of him during the stretch.
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It is clear that the inconsistent role has affected Poole’s game.
As a starter this season, Poole averaged 18.3 points per game, shooting 43.1 percent of the field and 34.9 of 3. As a reserve, Poole scored just 12.2 points per game while shooting 44.4 percent of the game. terrain and 29.3 from a distance.
With Thompson out due to illness, it may seem logical for Kerr to put Poole back in the starting lineup against a Timberwolves team that plays a weak defender in D’Angelo Russell to regain confidence.
But instead, Kerr chose to start rookie Moses Moody for a second straight game. Kerr cited Minnesota’s ability to hit the offensive glass and Otto Porter’s minute limits as reasons for starting the bigger Moody on Tuesday.
But the message was clear: Warriors need Poole to understand how to thrive in the role Warriors need him to do when the lights are brightest. Finding this begins now.
“That’s what he’ll do when we’re in full force,” Kerr said, “and he may be comfortable with that.”
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