Similar to the Golden State Warriors franchise, the 2019-20 season hasn’t gone to plan for Jordan Poole. When the Warriors selected Poole 28th overall in the 2019 NBA draft, his best trait for the next level was his shooting ability. However, since suiting up in a Golden State uniform, he hasn’t been able to find the net.
Poole’s season started as a nightmare, shooting 28.1 percent from the field and 21.4 percent from beyond the arc. The rookie looked lost offensively, his shot looked rushed, and almost panicked. Poole had shooting nights that consisted of 2-for-13, 1-for-9, 2-for-11, and 3-for-13.
Through 20 games into the season, Poole’s shot under 30 percent from the field in 13 times, in six games, he failed to sink one three-pointer. No matter how bad his shooting woes got, Poole isn’t digging too deep into why his shots aren’t falling.
“This is not life or death,” said Poole. “There’s really people out there battling life or death, this is not that. So, you get paid to play basketball? This is an activity, a hobby— I mean, it’s fun.”
The Michigan product’s bad luck started to change when Golden State traveled to Miami. The rookie knocked down five three-pointers on six attempts. Poole totaled 20 points on one of his best shooting nights as a professional, but what was most encouraging was how he looked comfortable on the NBA stage.
Poole played with confidence and a bit of swagger on the floor. Poole was even caught talking a little smack to his former teammate turned Miami Heat guard, Duncan Robinson.
There was no big secret on what changed with Poole’s game against Miami compared to his early-season struggles, the rookie said he’s just sticking with what got him here to this point, tonight the difference was the ball just went in the hoop.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters in Miami that this was the type of game Poole needed after going through “the wringer” to start his career.
“This is the kind of game he needs to have occasionally to keep his spirit up,” said Kerr. “He’s got a long way to go, and he knows that, but he’s been putting in the effort.”
Support from his coaches, and finally seeing the ball go into the basket should provide the confidence Poole needs to stay in the rhythm he found in Miami. The Warriors season has switched gears into being more about the future than the present, and Poole, at only 20-years-old looks to be a big part of the team’s long term plans.
