Golden State Warriors: The key to Jordan Poole’s sudden offensive outburst

The potential for Jordan Poole to have a career-best year has been documented well before he began drilling 3-pointers in the Golden State Warriors‘ preseason. But, I do not think many of us expected him to take such a leap this quickly — and there is one specific reason Poole is on a meteoric rise to stardom.

Jordan Poole has long been a hidden gem for the Golden State Warriors but this one key to his development has made him a glaring diamond.

In the past, players could make quite a name for themselves in the NBA by specializing in a specific department. Need a 3-point shooter? Try Kyle Korver. A wing defender? Trevor Ariza can assist you.

However, today’s game requires more than simply mastering one skill-set (this is not to say Ariza or Korver were not well-rounded players). The modern NBA is full of multi-faceted athletes. It is difficult to find key players on championship-caliber teams who do not have more than one talent.

Poole’s previous limitations

In Poole’s case, he entered the league with one strong suit: 3-point shooting. He blazed his way through college as a streaky off-ball shooter and he felt destined to be a Nick Young ‘Swaggy P’ Esque spark plug for Golden State.

But, there was one problem… Poole struggled to shoot the 3-pointer consistently early on — and he did not have any other talents worth keeping him on the floor. He was a minus defender (still is) and only semi-average at creating plays off the dribble during his first two seasons (he developed more into a creator towards the end of his sophomore stint).

So, if Poole was not shooting efficiently, this meant he was not getting to the rim or creating plays for others at a good rate — and he certainly was not playing lockdown defense at the other end. This left him with a limited ceiling moving forward.

Then, throughout the latter months of his sophomore season, Poole began showing something he never had at the NBA level: confidence in his ability to handle the ball. Yes, a concept as simple as improving as a ball-handler has opened up new and exciting opportunities for Poole.

Poole’s ball-handling has been a massive upgrade

To be clear, Poole showcased a creative handle and impressive court vision early in his career. But, he lacked the confidence, and truthfully the skill, to routinely make defenders pay. Now, this is no longer the case.

Poole has pulled off some downright impressive moves during the preseason. Besides a slight carry — check out the insane footwork on this half-spin into a step-back 3-pointer against LA. This type of live creation was not in Poole’s bag last year.

This is not the only example of Poole putting on moves in the preseason. Look at the blazing quick in-and-out dribble here to blow by the defender and erupt for a dunk against the Lakers, once again (42 seconds).

In 88 preseason minutes, Poole has scored a whopping 93 points. He is breaking down defenders with an ease we have not seen from him. Poole’s length, agility and unreal footwork for a 22-year-old make him a difficult talent to guard. I mean, seriously, there are so many minute details to Poole’s ascension as an offensive player.

Each twitch and shift of momentum has left defenders lost in their attempts to stay in front of him. It is a small head fake, a power plant of his foot to suggest he is going one way then exploding in the opposite direction, or simply using his threat as a shooter to tempt his defender into closing out. All of these tools have been added to Poole’s growing offensive arsenal.

This is the type of talent you can not teach, folks. A natural feel for the game — and the confidence to do whatever the hell he wants — has made Poole one of the league’s brightest young stars seemingly out of nowhere.