`He wants to help us so badly'
Coach Kerr encourages Poole to ease back on `the throttle'
SAN FRANCISCO >> Jordan Poole's recent struggles prompted coach Steve Kerr to pull him aside for a chat.
The two sat against the back wall of the Warriors' practice gym Monday afternoon as a few players lingered on the courts to put in extra work after practice. The one-on-one conversation appeared from afar to flow between serious moments signaled by head nods and eye contact with some more light-hearted bits as the two exchanged smiles and laughs.
Kerr wouldn't get into the details of their conversation with reporters. He did, however, acknowledge the importance of checking in with his players especially when they're enduring a difficult stretch, and Poole seemed like an ideal candidate for a decompressing session after a rough week.
Poole's first three games out of the All-Star break are a far cry from where he was entering the break after Stephen Curry went down with his latest injury.
Poole averaged 26 points on 48.4% shooting from the floor, including 43.8% from beyond the arc in the Warriors' five games leading into the All-Star break, looking like he may be turning a corner.
In three games since, he's averaged 15.3 points, while shooting 28.3% (13-of-46) from the field and 21.7% (5-of-23) from 3-point range. He tallied 16 assists while turning the ball over seven times in three games — four of those turnovers were committed against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.
Kerr believes Poole is getting caught up trying to do too much, with Curry (leg injury) and Andrew Wiggins (family matter) both
out. That's why he's been encouraging the 23-year-old to slow down and make a few simple adjustments.
“Honestly, it's more about trying a little less hard,” Kerr said. “He's trying too hard, he just wants it so badly, he wants to help us so badly, and I think easing back on the throttle and just
making simpler decisions will really help him.”
With Curry out, opponents are throwing some of their best defenders at Poole, who signed a fouryear, $140 million extension. The added pressure has pushed him into taking ill-advised shots, at times, rather than looking for an open man.
With two of their best players out indefinitely and the playoff race so tight, the Warriors' margin of error
is slim. While Poole is a crafty scorer at the rim and an imposing threat from beyond the arc, Kerr said Poole needs to get off the ball more and trust it'll come back to his hands.
“If we execute the way we can then his scoring opportunities won't be with the defense set up waiting for him every time,” Kerr said. “If he can get off the ball, we can execute he can now attack a close-out with the defense scattered where
you can use the speed and get to the rim rather than pounding the ball on a high screen and roll with everybody waiting for him, so it's not just on him, but it's on our whole group to execute better.”
Poole had another difficult night Sunday. He shot 5-for-20 from the floor and 1-for-8 from 3-point range, finishing the night with 15 points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals and four turnovers.