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Golden State Warriors: Steve Kerr is keeping faith in rookie Jordan Poole

By Nathan Beighle

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 11: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Chase Center on November 11, 2019 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 11: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Chase Center on November 11, 2019 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors first-round pick Jordan Poole just hasn’t lived up his hype, kicking off his rookie season to an incredibly inefficient start.

There’s no denying that this season hasn’t started off the way the Golden State Warriors had hoped. Stephen Curry is out till at least February and Klay Thompson may not return. The Warriors are sitting at 2-14, the league’s worst record.

They’ve been forced to call upon every capable body they have which includes giving bulk minutes to first-round pick Jordan Poole. Poole came out of college after two years at the University of Michigan. He was widely considered a reach for Golden State.

With five double-figure performances after having played in all 14 games, it’s not Poole’s scoring that’s concerning. If he put up 8.6 points per game on 50% shooting, he’d be fine and considered a phenomenal addition.

However, that’s just not the case.

The fact of the matter is that Poole is shooting 26% from the field while hoisting up over 10 shots per game. He must be more efficient as a shooter. After going 1-for-15 from the field his last two games, Poole is slowly losing the faith of the Warrior management.

That’s at least what you’d think, but head coach Steve Kerr will continue to keep faith in his young guard.

“This league is unforgiving for a young player. He’s just gotta keep doing what he’s doing. Keep watching film and keep learning from his experience. He’s gonna get better. We have great faith in that because of his ability and his character. He’ll get there but it’s a difficult time for him for sure,” Kerr told Yahoo Sports’ Drew Shiller.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson came onto this Warriors’ team led by Monta Ellis with no expectations. Yes, they were both lottery picks, but the need for their immediate contribution wasn’t at the level it currently is for Poole.

He hasn’t had the proper time to get acclimated to the NBA, and it’s not been a pretty sight. But, he’ll continue to have the green light as losses may mount for Golden State, but at the end of the day, more losses may not matter much at this point.

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The Warriors will continue to run Poole, but for him to sustain that trust as players return from injury, he will need to at least marginally improve his shooting.

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