USA Today via Reuters
January 25, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (left) celebrates with guard Stephen Curry (right) against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
January 25, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (left) celebrates with guard Stephen Curry (right) against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Golden State Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr, was vocal about Jordan Poole’s shifting role in the team after they barely managed to win against the Houston Rockets on Friday. The Warriors who are currently on 2nd in the West table were having a hard time finding their footing against the last-placed Rockets. Ultimately, it was Chef Curry’s buzzer-beater that turned out to be the Warrior’s salvation.
Steve Kerr: “Part of the message for Jordan (Poole) is the same message the whole team gets. It doesn’t matter what your role is — play your ass off every night. Yes, it is hard to change your role in the middle of the season. But who cares? It’s your job.”https://t.co/cORODSIxEQ
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 22, 2022
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Like Curry, Jordan Pool too had a key role in the victory. He had one of his more efficient outings of the season, scoring 20 points on 7-15 shooting. However, Poole hasn’t had many good shooting nights since Klay Thompson returned from his injury.
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Talking about Jordan Poole’s shifting role in the team due to Klay’s return, Steve Kerr showed that he will not entertain any excuses to justify poor performance. Kerr, himself a former champion, advised Poole, “It doesn’t matter what your role is — play your ass off every night”
via Getty
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr talks to the media as the Golden State Warriors prepare to take on the Houston Rockets in game 6 of the NBA Western Conference finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Ca., on Sat. May 26, 2018. (Photo by Michael Macor/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
Jordan Poole’s new role in the Warriors
Ever since the ‘Splash Bro’ returned, Poole has been pushed to the Warriors’ bench and has been facing difficulty adjusting. However, when Thompson rests, as he did against Houston, Poole is promoted back to the starting lineup. He has displayed inconsistency in his new role, which must be challenging for a player whose performance is generally strong.
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USA Today via Reuters
Nov 5, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) reacts after hitting a 3-pointer during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
In both the games where Klay was in the starting lineup, Poole was only able to contribute 5 points in more than 20 minutes of playing time. Specifically, he was shooting at a 1-7 FG against the Pacers and 2-6 against the Pistons. Moreover, he missed all his three-point attempts in both games.
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When Curry and Thompson are resting, the Warriors need Poole to rise and provide a dynamic scoring edge to their arsenal. Golden State needs all the support it can get, especially with Draymond Green missing.
Will the Golden State Warriors win another ring this season? Let us know what you think in the comments.
