The Golden State Warriors‘ ceiling will be determined by a number of wild cards next season. One of the most crucial x-factors is how much Jordan Poole can build on his impressive sophomore stint.
Jordan Poole showed the Golden State Warriors he belonged last season. How vital is it that he takes another leap forward this year?
As a rookie, Poole was a small fish in a big pond. He looked unsure of himself, lost and often hesitant to shoot. These are all damning attributes for a player whose greatest gift is his live-action creation and creativity.
It took a few months to get the wheels turning in 2021 but Poole eventually found his rhythm with the Dubs. He overcame his anxieties and began taking charge with the ball in his hands. What’s more, he was a never-ending threat to move off-ball and open up opportunities for himself.
A fantastic piece by Jackson Frank of Uproxx showcased the Splash Brother-like tendencies of Poole to move without the ball. This, above all else, will be the key to making him a star in the future.
Poole has room to grow as a playmaker and certainly is not a top-level defender. But, he is an absolute flamethrower when it comes to scoring in spurts and can be a game-changer if he finds any consistency.
The 22-year-old finished last season on a two-month stretch where he averaged 14.7 points on 43.3 percent shooting from the floor. This was the best run of his career but Poole will need to keep developing in order to be a rotational player on a championship-caliber team as the Dubs hope to be.
Improving to be a capable defender should be his biggest goal. Poole has a natural ability to seek out quality shots on offense but he has not proven to be an effective defender. At the very least, he needs to hold his own each night.
The rest of Poole’s game will likely come with time. Excelling as a scorer and taking progressive steps towards being a high-IQ playmaker will make Poole a long-term contributor for the Dubs.