In the recently concluded NBA Finals, the Toronto Raptors treated Golden State’s supporting cast — after shooting guard Klay Thompson and forward Kevin Durant had left with injuries — with disregard, using a box-and-one defense to stifle guard Stephen Curry and daring the remaining Warriors to make a shot.
The strategy worked, and Golden State’s front office took notice. General manager Bob Myers focused on selecting players in the 2019 NBA Draft who can score field goals, especially when left open.
Aaron Miles, coach of the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League who will coach Golden State’s Summer League team, gave his impressions of Myers’ first-round choice: guard Jordan Poole.
Here’s what he told reporters about Poole from practice, according to The Mercury News‘ Mark Medina:
Jordan’s a very skilled player. He’s got a lot of ball skills. He can shoot the basketball well. Jordan has the ability to get to the paint but he can also really shoot the basketball in transition and so forth.
With Thompson and Durant out for an extended amount of time and set to hit free agency as well, Poole will have plenty of room to operate as defenses focus on Curry. Miles describes a player with the ability to be multi-dimensional on offense, which is precisely what the Warriors need, whether Thompson and Durant are gone for the season due to their injuries or, perhaps, forever.
