What has impressed Kerr most about Poole’s play vs. Nuggets originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
He might not be getting recognized for any Most Improved Player Award consideration, but the word is out on Warriors guard Jordan Poole — the dude can score the basketball.
As Warriors fans have witnessed all season, Poole’s remarkable growth from playing in the G League last season to becoming a needed offensive commodity in the Warriors’ postseason run is finally getting attention around the league. He hosted a pair of “Poole parties” in the first two games of Golden State’s first-round series against the Denver Nuggets by dropping 30 and 29 points, helping the Dubs to a 2-0 series lead.
In Game 2 when Steph Curry made NBA playoff history by scoring 34 points in 23 minutes, Poole was responsible for the team’s most impressive highlight on his epic step-back 3-pointer over DeMarcus Cousins.
The viral moments speak for themselves. But Warriors coach Steve Kerr has seen even more growth from a different part of Poole’s game.
“Well, he’s gotten better this week than he was last week,” Kerr told 95.7 The Game’s Damon Bruce and Ray Ratto on Tuesday night. “I mean that. Where it’s really showing is in his defense. It’s been something we’ve been on him about all year. Defending without fouling, really taking on the challenge of taking on the best player. If the best player is coming at him — accept it and embrace it. If there’s a switch, same thing. Get in front of that guy, defend him as best you can without fouling.”
Poole has made a big leap on the defensive side of things in his career. As a rookie, he posted a 110.0 defensive rating in 57 contests, per NBA.com. That number improved to 105.5 this season.
While the Warriors’ electric small-ball lineup of Poole, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins is renowned for its offense, the defense of that unit has been equally impressive, posting a 75.4 defensive rating in two postseason games. The 22-year-old contributed on that end with two steals and one block in Game 2 while committing just two personal fouls.
“The value of [not fouling] is hard to quantify, hard to explain,” Kerr continued. You saw it [Monday] night a few times where we didn’t foul, they made a tough shot and we race the ball back down — even after a made shot — and scored a bucket.
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“Whereas, if the other team is at the foul line, you can’t do that. Then their defense is set and waiting for you after your free throws.”
Turning smart, controlled defense into buckets. And boy, it’s been a whole lot of buckets.
“That’s probably the area that I’ve been most pleased with Jordan, as well as he’s played offensively, and as exciting as he is as a playmaker and shot maker, it’s his defense that has really come around in the last week,” Kerr said.
“And that’s exciting to see.”
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