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Jordan Poole’s professionalism can save Golden State Warriors

By Tony Pesta

SAITAMA, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 30: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the Golden State Warriors v Washington Wizards - NBA Japan Games at the Saitama Super Arena on September 30, 2022 in Saitama, Japan. 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 Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 30: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the Golden State Warriors v Washington Wizards - NBA Japan Games at the Saitama Super Arena on September 30, 2022 in Saitama, Japan. 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 Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images) /
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Business as usual. That’s what it felt like when Jordan Poole and the Golden State Warriors took the floor on Sunday for a preseason match with the Los Angeles Lakers.

There was no hint of anything going wrong with the team after what has been one of the strangest and most unexpected turns of events over the offseason.

Rarely does a team that just won the championship find themselves in such a heated battle between two returning players — but the practice altercation that led to Draymond Green striking Poole has put a question mark on the team’s otherwise superb chemistry.

But, you wouldn’t know it on Sunday.

Jordan Poole shined on Sunday despite recent events. His professionalism serves as a model for the Golden State Warriors redemption.

Poole played just 23 minutes but he scored 25 points, dished 6 assists and snagged 4 rebounds.

The Warriors ultimately lost 124-121 but on the surface, everything appeared to be normal.

Of course, Draymond himself was not present after taking a break from the team in order to put some space between his actions and the Warriors’ current ramp-up for the regular season.

Still, the professionalism on display from Poole and the team as a whole to come out and put on a brief show is enough to bring optimism.

Navigating this controversy will not be easy. All things considered, scuffles happen all the time between teammates but rarely to this degree and almost always behind closed doors.

With the video of Poole and Green’s clash being available everywhere, the Warriors will have a much more difficult time simply avoiding it.

Opponents, reporters and fans will constantly be reminding the Dubs of the internal strife they are going through.

And yet, the only way to truly overcome this is to continue moving forward. Just as Poole took another step forward in his promising young career, the Warriors, and specifically Green, will need to match the same level of professionalism and work toward making this situation right again.

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