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Warriors’ Jordan Poole in a Jordan Clarkson-like role next season makes sense

By Nathan Beighle

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 30: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors looks to drive towards the basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on January 30, 2021 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 30: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors looks to drive towards the basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on January 30, 2021 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson wasn’t always a high-profile player. He had stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, both of which resulted in him eventually finding a new franchise. He settled with the Jazz, and it’s been a home run for both sides.

The Golden State Warriors have a player that could mimic Clarkson’s career path in second-year guard Jordan Poole. Poole took a massive leap forward his second season after yet another stint with the organization’s G-League affiliate.

With the Golden State Warriors not having a true go-to sixth man, shooting guard Jordan Poole may be the perfect player to fill that role next season.

In both his first and second season in the NBA, Poole kicked off the season to a relatively rough start. He was shooting extremely poorly from the field and lacked confidence.

A short stint with the Santa Cruz Warriors completely changed that, and this past season, it made his play far better. He returned the team with much quicker decision-making, and it was noticeable.

Unlike players like Damion Lee and Mychal Mulder, Poole’s per-game average increased this season.

As Stephen Curry returned, it was assumed every guard would see their time and scoring decrease, but this wasn’t the case for Poole, who stepped up after the team dealt point guard Brad Wanamaker.

Through the first half of the season, a time in which Poole was partially out with the G-League affiliate, he played 15 games and scored 5.5 points per game. After coming back, Poole averaged 14.7 points per game including a 38-point explosion the second-to-last game of the season.

He shot 43 percent from the field and 35 percent from downtown. It was a solid few months for the second-year guard, and it’s a stretch that may have solidified not just his roster spot for next for his role as the top guard off the bench.

The way it comes into a Clarkson-like role is because of the use within the unit.

Poole will be used as a torch off the bench and will hopefully instantly light up opponents. It’s unlikely he ever puts up numbers considered to be efficient, but Clarkson won Sixth Man of the Year shooting 42.5 percent from the field.

In his run as a role player for the best team in the Western Conference, Clarkson shot a career-high 15.8 times per game. He drilled 3.1 threes as well per game. Poole won’t need to be ultra-efficient to be a high-profile sixth man for Golden State.

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Next season, his role will be the playmaker off the bench, and the playmaking will largely be for himself as he’s one of the few that can get a decent look whenever he wants. That’s what Clarkson is, and hopefully, that’s what Poole will turn into as well.

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