Jordan Poole is one of the newer faces in the Warriors. He has elevated his game this season. As a result, he has been able to assist Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in a deep playoff run leading to the NBA Finals. Poole struggled during his first two years in the league. However, this fell out of sight and mind due to the Warrior’s lack of a good record in those years.
A huge reason for his growth not being observed was injuries to the Warriors. Klay Thompson tore his Achilles in the 2019 NBA Finals. While Stephen Curry broke his hand early next season during a scary fall with Aaron Baynes. Therefore the Warriors were at the bottom of the West in 2020. In 2021, they were eliminated in the play-in tournament by Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies.
One must wonder how much Jordan Poole has blossomed over the last 3 years. He must have had many struggles in the first two years. However, now he is being nicknamed “The third splash-bro“.
Jordan Poole made the leap this year for Golden State
It is almost impossible to tell what an NBA player’s potential could be like. This is because we judge the athlete and try to predict how they will fit in with their team. Most young players who join the league, especially the ones who are not hyped-up draft prospects, struggle to make their name in the NBA.
Poole joined the Golden State Warriors in the 2019-2020 NBA season. However, he had yet to adapt to the Warriors’ style of offense. He averaged around 8.8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in his first year. Additionally, he shot only 33% from the field, 27% from the three-point line, and 79% from the free throw.
Jordan’s second year was considerably better. He averaged around 12 points, shooting 43% from the field and 35% from the three-point line. This growth in Poole made the Warriors give him even more of a chance to compete this season.
JP has proved that he is yet to reach his ceiling. In this season, he has averaged 18.5 points, 4 assists, and 3.5 rebounds. He is shooting 44% from the field and 36% from the three-point line. This increase in scoring and efficiency this season has played a huge role in Poole representing the Warriors more this season.
The Golden State Warriors are aware of his potential
What sets Poole apart as a “splash-bro” is his athleticism and handles. He has clearly worked on them ever since joining the league. Therefore, he can finish at the rim better than Curry or Thompson. Poole is also a more versatile defender and is able to lock up and defend big guards on the opposition. He has clearly developed his shooting mechanics and is more confident in pressure-filled late-game situations.
The Modern NBA player is an elite two-way guard. One cannot say for certain, but this is what Jordan Poole is likely to blossom into over the next few years. Since he is still quite young, it is difficult to put a ceiling on his potential. One thing is certain, he will be an asset to the Warriors in the years to come as he is already helping them have a championship season in just his third year there.