Jordan Poole takes over the 2021-22 season leading into the NBA Playoffs
April 21, 2022
By Madisen Carter
Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole has been dominating the 2021-22 season. The 22-year-old has continued to gain confidence throughout the season and it has shown on the court.
In the 76 regular season games, Poole has averaged 18.5 points per game with 4 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game. He has improved in all three categories since last year when he averaged 12 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game.
Poole has had 34 regular-season games where he has scored more than 20 points. In the month of March and leading into April, Poole scored more than 20 points in 17 games straight, with his season high of 38 points against the Phoenix Suns on March 30th. He led the NBA in three-point shots made in March with 67.
Poole was also named as the top free-throw shooter in the NBA this current season shooting 92.5%. His teammate and three time NBA Champion, Stephen Curry, followed right behind him shooting 92.3%. According to the Hoop Central, Poole and Curry are the first pair of teammates to finish first and second in free throw percentages since 1987.
“I’m excited, that’s awesome. Me and Steph talked about it at the beginning of the year and it's one of my goals to shoot 90. So being able to have the best free throw shooter in the gym with me every day and we’re going back and forth in the games, it’s pretty awesome,” Poole said in a post game interview after a Warriors’ win against the New Orleans Pelicans 128-107.
The success Poole has had this season did not come without the hard work and dedication he has put in. Unlimited Potential Basketball’s Coach Packie Turner said Poole has put countless hours into the gym working on his craft and that his work ethic is unreal.
Coach Packie said that Poole has gotten better at simplifying his game where he does not have to over dribble, but takes the first scoring opportunity that is there for him. He has improved on picking his spots, knowing the flow of the team, how to read the defense, and just making the right plays.
“Jordan Poole’s performance this year is really something that I've been fortunate enough to see over the last three years every day when he would come into the gym,” Coach Packie said. “He's amazingly skilled, he's got a deep bag of things he can go to. He’s supremely confident, and his work ethic supports everything and allows him to be great. So while everyone is seeing a breakout year from a guy, all I'm really seeing is him seizing the moment and the opportunity and [letting] everyone know who he's always been.”
After three years, Poole finally was able to be on the court during the NBA Playoffs and he has been dominating so far. In the Warriors first two games against the Denver Nuggets, he led the Warriors to both victories totaling 59 points. Poole even made 10 three-point shots, the most made threes for any player in their first couple of career playoff games in NBA history.
“Jordan Poole, wow, what a playoff debut,” Klay Thompson said after Game 1. “All his hard work is paying off. If he doesn’t get ‘Most Improved [Player]’ this year, it doesn’t make any sense. Without him, we would not be where we are.”
The Warriors take on the Nuggets tonight at 7 P.M. in game 3 of the first round of the playoffs. The Warriors are hoping to seal another win with Poole staying hot on the court. UPB wishes Poole, Curry and the rest of the team good luck!
