Many eyes aren’t on the NBA during the regular season, but things start to heat up in the playoffs when most casual fans think players start to actually defend. When the ratings rise, so does Jordan Poole’s performance.
Well, apparently that’s how this works as the Warriors‘ star erupted in his first playoff performance.
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Denver Nuggets 123-107 in Game 1. The Dubs were led by a game-high 30 points from guard Jordan Poole.
Poole put up a game-high 30 points. That’s even more impressive when considering there waas a two-time MVP, a five-time All-Star, a four-time All-Star and the league’s reigning MVP all in action as well.
It wasn’t just that Poole dominated, but it’s that he did it efficiently.
That’s been arguably even more important than Poole’s rise to stardom throughout his third season in the league. Poole shot 9-for-13 from the field and was 7-for-8 from the free-throw line. He was the league’s leader in free throw shooting percentage this season.
Poole’s understanding of the game and system was clear. He looked just like a young Stephen Curry running off screens and playing his style of basketball. Poole was 5-for-7 from deep as well which was massive for the Warriors in keeping their lead at a distance.
Poole was a +7 on the game, and he was a key reason why Draymond Green ended with 9 assists and a +21. Poole’s intelligence and hard work are really why he was able to put together this type of showing.
After many cast him aside following an inefficient first year in which he had stints in the G-League, Poole’s continued to prove those that doubted him wrong.
He’s the third splash brother, having averaged 2.8 triples per game, and he could be the scoring option the Dubs have needed to take their game to the next level since the exodus of Kevin Durant.
Jordan Poole is 5-of-7 from 3 tonight. He's 90-of-210 from 3 since the start of March -- 42.8 percent. No other NBA player has made more than 74. He's been the league's best high volume 3-point shooter for about 1.5 months now.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 17, 2022
So, yes, Poole’s been this good for quite a while, but now, it’s time for everyone to know what level the star guard is playing at.
The Warriors ceiling may be in the hands of Poole, and after this performance, it looks like it’s in good hands as well.