-
Kendra AndrewsESPN
A PAGE IS AVAILABLEOn Golden State WarriorsChris DeMarco, assistant coach, has created a Notes app to honor one of the stars of the 2021-22 season — and one that is important for the team.
Jordan Poole.
It has been there since 2019. It contains the guiding principles of DeMarco's development as a 22-year-old; plans for how Poole and DeMarco will work together; and questions.
Poole's 2019-20 rookie season, his main question was: How do I get to the floor?
It was: How can I keep my feet on the floor?
What season is it? What can I do to influence the playoffs?
Poole has already answered every question with grace.
Not that it was easy.
Poole averaged 8.8 point per game in 22.4 minutes, shooting 33.3% from the field. This includes 27.9% from beyond 3-point range as a rookie. Poole, who was drafted in the first round as a guard to help the Warriors' offense, struggled to score. He heard about it.
Poole replied, “Everything that they were saying — He takes bad shots or can't pass; he can’t dribble — I wasn’t worried about that.” Because I knew what I could do. It was just a matter of how I would incorporate my game into the team. It will take time. I knew this.
He was able to complete a season that saw him improve his statistical output in almost every category and became part the Warriors' team. new death lineupThese external conversations are now silenced. Poole has averaged 22.7 points per game on 56.1% shooting, including 48.8% from beyond arc. He also plays a record-breaking 33 minutes per contest.
Sunday's victory over the Memphis GrizzliesHe was his best ever opening round in the Western Conference semifinals. He was able to play a record 38 minutes without the bench. He led the Warriors in assists (9), rebound (8), and points (31).
Poole stated, “I've always made people listen to their words.” “I never spoke about anyone else or went to the media. I shut up and took it all in, and let my game speak for itself. It feels so much better. It feels amazing.
TWO WEEKS AFRICACOVID-19 closed down the NBA in March 2020. The league announced safety and health protocols which allowed players to go back to the gym but only with one other person. Poole picked up his telephone immediately to call DeMarco.
Poole stated, “I just knew that if it was possible to get in there every day for however long was the pandemic,” Poole stated. “I knew that I would improve in any way or fashion.”
They worked out at the Warriors' gym. They were the only ones allowed in, could only use one ball, and had to wear masks all the time.
They worked together to defend Poole. They practiced Poole's shooting almost every day. Their focus was on getting a faster release, speeding up his footwork, and being able not only to make catch-and shoot jumpers, but also move. They also stressed his handles and ability to finish at or near the rim.
DeMarco stated to Poole that “it's going in frustrating.” There will be days when it doesn't go in, but you have to be able sharpen your tools.
Poole was warned by his coach that there would be a time when he experienced exactly what he did. Poole lost his shot and struggled for weeks trying to get it back. The two of them were all that could be heard in the darkened gyms around San Francisco Bay, each clank of the rim, each squeak of Poole's practice-only sneakers echoing. After eight consecutive missed shots, he was fed up.
He began to kick the balls into empty stands and let an F-bomb fly along with each ball.
Poole stated that this was the only way he could express his frustration at the time. Poole said, “It was like, it was so invested that I wanted it so much. I could only kick the ball.
“It felt like I had been so hard at work. I was able to work hard enough not to miss eight consecutive days. And it got me down, especially in my workouts. I am not being watched at the gym. “Why am I not there?”
He kept working.
Poole explained that the nine-month period ended up looking like this. “Normally, you only get two months offseason. This is an additional seven months.
Poole and DeMarco went on a two-week vacation to prepare for the 2020-21 season. Then it was back at team training camp.
Poole scored 12 points with 43.2% field goal shooting and 35.1% from 3.
In February 2021, Poole was sent by the Warriors to the G League bubble so that he could get more time.
Poole was back on March 4, 2021. Three weeks later, Brad Wanamaker was traded by the Warriors at the deadline. Kelly Oubre Jr.Poole was able to finally get the chance he had been waiting for when he sustained a wrist injury that ended his season.
Poole's final 36 games saw him average 14.7 points, shoot 43.3% from the field, and shoot 35.4% from long range (including one 38-point rant) which prompted new questions for him and the Warriors heading into the 2021-22 campaign.
Steve Kerr, Warriors coach said that although we thought about bringing him off of the bench, after seeing what type of camp he was having, it became clear to us that this man needs as many minutes and as much as possible. He had a great camp. In his first exhibition game, he lit up the court and it was clear: We have to get him on the court.
Kerr informed Poole that he had decided to begin the campaign as the starting shooting guard about a week before the season opener.
Poole said that all the work done over the pandemic was a great thing and that it would have been impossible to do anything more to make me a better person if given the chance.
SIDELINED MIT A left foot injury, Stephen CurryHe felt as though he was watching his own back from the bench.
The third quarter of the game against the 22 March was played. Orlando MagicPoole then brought the ball up to the floor. He began driving to the paint and drew four defenders. So he returned it to Poole. Draymond GreenPoole, who was standing just outside the 3-point line. Poole moved behind Green as soon as he had gotten rid of the ball. Green dished it back to Poole on the dribble handoff and Poole hit the 3-pointer.
Poole stated that he had closely studied Curry's game. The same with Thompson's. DeMarco requested that Poole view film of his teammates and other NBA players, such as Thompson. Kyrie Irving, Chris PaulAnd Damian Lillard. Poole was primarily concerned with Curry's game and the lessons he learned from it.
Curry is now seeing twice.
Curry said, “It is the essence of it in terms movement without the ball.” “I could see from his reaction that Curry realized that those patterns are something Draymond and I do. He saw how simple it could be if they had that chemistry.
Poole's injuries to Thompson and Curry have made him the longest-serving Warriors player. Jordan Poole was the 2017 NBA Defensive Player-of-the Year. Jordan Poole?
March 10, vs. Denver Nuggets: Eleven out of Poole's 21 points were scored in the fourth period. Six of those points were scored using two wide-open 3-pointers to win the game for the Warriors.
Green stated, “Backs against wall, needed for the win, someone must step up in that moment to get us over the finish,” “Steph, Klay were on the floor. But who took over the role? Jordan accepted the role. Jordan did that because it gave everyone confidence in him. Steph doesn't have to be my only concern. I don't need to search for Klay. Let's move to Jordan. It's a very powerful tool.
Green went on:
March 23, vs. Miami Heat: This was the day after the Warriors suffered a humiliating loss against the Magic. Curry was out because of a left foot injury. Green and Thompson were resting.
Green stated that Poole was “here's the point where you can get whatever you want.” “If this is what you are trying to achieve every time, then you will get good enough looks to see the end result.”
Poole scored 30 points, shooting 10-of-18 including seven 3s. He also grabbed four rebounds, and had nine assists.
Poole stated that it was amazing for them to take me under their wings and guide me through this process. “Coming in is enough to gain their trust. So they can go out and don't need to worry about Jordan. We'll be there to support you as long as you play your game.
POOLE'S FIRST PLAYOFFThese were an introduction to the NBA world on the red-carpet. He became the 16th NBA player to score at least 25 in each of his first three playoff games. His total of 86 points is second in NBA history, after only 106. Wilt Chamberlain.
His Sunday record of 31 points was a career high. He also added five playoff-best 3s.
“We are aware of the opportunities we have. It's unique,” Poole said. “You don't want the player to ruin that.”
All those questions? He wants to know more.
“They used be like, ‘How does the playoffs feel? They used to be, ‘How do the playoffs feel?' No, no, no. Green replied, “He's passed this point.”
“He is at the point where he wonders, “What will I do when this stage occurs?” What should I do to combat this? What should I do if they do that? It's an entirely different world. It's almost like I get what they are trying do. Please help me to figure out what I should do.
Finally, Poole and his Warriors have found the answers.
