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Jordan Poole has always trusted. And over the past year, he’s convinced others to trust him.
Last week, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he had never been so confident in Poole and that the third-year was going to be an important part of the franchise going forward.
Monday night’s preseason game provided an example of why Kerr feels this way and why Poole’s trust is warranted. This supported Kerr’s decision to start Poole in the first preseason game of the year and provided some insight into who the 6-foot-3 keeper may be for this team in the future.
Poole scored 30 points in 22 minutes on 10 of 17 shots, including seven 3-pointers – many of which were several yards behind the line – in the Warriors’ 121-107 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
“This is what he looked like at camp,” Kerr said. “Not hesitating, he comes to the edge, playing with incredible confidence… He has earned that confidence.”
The most obvious evidence to back up Kerr’s claim that he never trusted Poole more is his shot. With Thompson out for at least a few more months, the Warriors are in desperate need of more shooting, stretching on the ground, and someone to take advantage of the space Steph Curry has created.
Poole can turn off the lights. Several of the three he took and made against the Trail Blazers were at least 28 feet away. When it catches fire, it reminds of Thompson – and that’s what the Warriors need. It’s an attribute that Warriors know can work alongside Curry on the floor or instead of Curry when he needs a rest.
Kerr says he gave Poole the green light to shoot from almost anywhere, which is only granted to a few players.
“The coach is just giving us the opportunity to do what we’re practicing,” said Poole. “And they wanted me to be aggressive. The coach wants me to go over there and if I’m open shoot it. He kind of let me know last year. momentum that I had last year and expand my range a little bit. “
But Poole’s attacking game doesn’t end there. He continues to become a good pilot and gets shots on the dribble. Considered one of the team’s biggest workhorses, if not the biggest, Poole won’t stop until it’s a reliable weapon in his arsenal.
Last year, Poole went from a struggling rookie to someone who managed to replace Curry while injured. He had a terrific March, averaging 18.5 points on 49% of shots in 11 games. He finished the last nine games of the regular season averaging 17.8 points with 49% shots and in play-in games he was counted on in times of crisis.
Because of his work ethic, the Warriors knew Poole was going to make another jump this season. He wasn’t going to allow himself to slide back.
RELATED: What We Learned As Poole Leads Warriors To Preseason Victory
The question was, how far would he take a big leap?
Would that be just enough to cement him as an obvious sixth man? A starting shooter until Klay Thompson returns? Or could he start knocking on the door as a rising star?
If Monday’s preseason performance has anything to say about it, the answer is “yes” to all three. But that’s all in attack.
For Poole, the next big step he needs to take is defense.
“I told him after, what we have to see next is the defensive effort,” Kerr said. “He gave up a few back cuts for lay-ups, made a few rotational mistakes. And that’s just his next step in becoming a great player.”
“He’s one of our best players,” Kerr continued. “I think what we have to figure out is how he holds up defensively with the different formations he plays with. But you have such an explosive guy, you’re going to take him down.”
His explosive score is one thing, but if Poole can add reliable defense to his bag of tricks and become a two-way player, then even after Thompson returns it will be difficult to keep Poole off the ground for long.
Poole says there is a mutual agreement between him and Kerr to improve his defense. Poole is well aware of the opportunities he will continue to have if he can be better on this side of the ball.
But in the meantime, expect the Warriors to figure out how to exist with Poole constantly on the ground until he gets the hang of it.
As Kerr put it, Poole won the rights of his trust, and in turn, the rights of a big minute charge. Poole can save it, and then some.
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