Poole’s work quiets critics of Warriors’ ‘draft bust’
Juan ToscanoAnderson is from Oakland, so he has a long line of close family and friends who supply him with unfiltered opinions from the region.
The Warriors forward knows firsthand that people were hating on Jordan Poole, who was widely considered a draft bust after a disappointing rookie season in 201920 and whose play called into question the Warriors’ decision to pick up his thirdyear option.
He also knows that Poole has completely flipped the script on that thinking.
“I think he has a pro game. He’s a hooper. There are guys who are basketball players, and there are guys who are hoopers. That kid is really good, man,” ToscanoAnderson said Saturday night after Poole continued a sensational sevengame run. “It’s unfortunate that we live in a microwave generation, and people want instant results. That’s a 20 or 21yearold kid, who came into the league. Not to (dismiss) anyone else and what they’re doing in their life, but that
kid is in the top 1% of his profession. I don’t understand why people shade kids who come into the league and struggle.”
The struggle might be over for Poole, who shot just 37.3% from the floor in his first 79 games and watched as players with similar NBA experience catapulted past him into the limelight.
After countless hours in the gym — a work ethic that even meticulous worker Stephen Curry and consummate grinder ToscanoAnderson say tops them — and two trips to the G League, Poole averaged 20.9 points on 54.5% shooting during the past seven games to solidify his future in the NBA.
“He’s been fantastic every single game since he’s come back from (the G League near) Orlando,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s earned his confidence. That’s the main thing. After putting all the work in, he’s earned the right to play well and to believe that every shot is going in.”
When asked late Saturday if Poole deserved to play a sixthman role or heavier minutes, Kerr simply said: “Yes.”
Maybe it doesn’t really take any more explanation than that.
But that wouldn’t completely tell the story of how bad it got and how awful the popular opinion was for Poole before he went without a turnover in six of seven games and had 17 assists in the same 159minute span.
Poole couldn’t make a shot for the first 11⁄2 seasons of his NBA career and was twice demoted to the G League. While struggling, he had to watch player after player pass him on the NBA’s hierarchy, and he heard whispers that his No. 28 overall selection was a wasted pick.
At the end of the 201920 season, undrafted Kendrick Nunn and Terence Davis made the NBA AllRookie teams. Warriors secondrounder Eric Paschall got a firstteam nod. All told, 18 players got at least one vote, and Poole received zero.
At this year’s AllStar break, the Rising Stars rosters made up of first and secondyear players included Keldon Johnson, who was drafted directly behind Poole; a secondrounder and three undrafted players. Poole wasn’t even considered.
“The media is what the
“As you guys see, work is undefeated. … Jordan Poole is special.”
Warriors’ Damion Lee
media is. It’s 2021, and it’s the world that we live in,” said Poole, who has sworn off social media. “We signed up for the job, and it’s something that comes with it. You have to find ways to keep pushing and not get distracted.”
For Poole, not getting distracted has often meant getting to work.
He would text coaches at all hours of the night to get into the practice facility during his rookie season, bumped his gym time even more during the summer, and hasn’t let down for one second in 202021.
“He shut out all that noise this summer, got in the gym, and worked and worked and worked,” Warriors wing Damion Lee said. “As you guys see, work is undefeated. … He has a lot more that he can do and contribute, not only right now, but also for the rest of his career. He’s owning that, staying in his lane, and going through his journey.
“Jordan Poole is special.” Poole always had a special and silky jump shot, and it’s actually going in right now. He’s made 44.2% of his 3point attempts since returning from the G League in early March.
The even more remarkable thing has been Poole’s floor game, which is showcasing decisive reads of the defense and the ability to react with the proper shots, drives, cuts or passes.
Kerr calls it “pointfive basketball,” the ability to make a decision and react in 0.5 of a second. Poole is making the decision in less than a fraction of a second and performing a wide variety of necessary counters to the defense.
“I’m a huge fan. I’m probably his biggest fan,” ToscanoAnderson said. “He’s been on a mission, man. I don’t think anybody is working as hard as him. I like to consider myself a hard worker. I take my craft really seriously, but he’s got me beat right now.
“He’s got a bright future.”