Steve Kerr explains reasons behind Jordan Poole's hot and cold form in Steph Curry's absence
Golden State Warriors rising star guard Jordan Poole is in the middle of a career-best scoring year, averaging 20.6 points per game. He has also upped his scoring average to 28.6 PPG over his last 10 games with superstar teammate Steph Curry sidelined.
However, the averages can be a bit misleading as Poole has struggled with inconsistency. He often alternates between games where he shoots above 50.0% and ones where he converts only 40.0% of his attempts.
This can be frustrating to some Warriors fans, but according to coach Steve Kerr, Poole’s inconsistency stems from his immense talent for his age.
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During a recent appearance on "Damon and Ratto" for 95.7 The Game, Kerr said that talented young players can sometimes overcomplicate the game. This is because they have too many options as to what moves to go to on the offensive end.
“I’ve always felt that the game is more difficult for the players who are more talented when they’re young because they have a big menu of possibilities in front of them,” Kerr said.
Steve Kerr on Jordan Poole: “I’ve always felt that the game is more difficult for the players who are more talented when they’re young because they have a big menu of possibilities in front of them.”
(via @DamonAndRatto)
Jordan Poole’s plethora of offensive options and subsequent indecision at times is also the reason that he’s averaging a career-worst 3.5 turnovers per game. That number is up to 4.9 per game over his past 10 games as a primary ball handler as well.
Some of these turnovers have been costly for the Warriors, as was the case during their defeat against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.
All things considered, the Warriors are still 6-4 over their last 10 games without Steph Curry. Jordan Poole and Co. have also received increased opportunities to prove themselves.
Stretches like these where others are forced to step up could prove to be invaluable for Golden State come playoff time.
Steve Kerr and Klay Thompson defend Jordan Poole after crucial late-game turnover versus Detroit
The Golden State Warriors’ five-game winning streak was snapped on Wednesday night as they fell 122-119 at home to the Detroit Pistons.
Despite trailing for large stretches of the game, the Warriors had a good chance to come away with a win. Jordan Poole had the ball in his hands with the Warriors trailing 117-116 with 13.2 seconds left.
Poole then tried to create some offense off of the dribble before stumbling and falling as Pistons guard Alec Burks stole the ball. Saddiq Bey later hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give Detroit the win.
JP turns the ball over with under 10 seconds remaining in the game https://t.co/JFGeUGzWek
Following the game, Steve Kerr and veteran Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson refused to put the blame on Poole for his costly late-game error.
Kerr explained that Poole had previously hit a couple of big shots for the team and that the Warriors trusted him to have the ball in his hands late in the game. He also added that the mistake will make for a good learning experience for Poole.
"(Poole is) also hitting huge shots for us," Kerr said.
"He had two big jumpers down the stretch, and Jordan's made so many big plays for us and helped us win so many games. But what's great is that everything is a learning experience for him, you know, at this stage of his career.
"And he's getting a lot of, you know, late-game experience, and, you know, he made the one mistake, but like I said, he made two big shots right before that, and you know, I thought really played well and played hard all game," Kerr continued.
"He made the one mistake, but he made two big shots right before that."
Steve Kerr on JP's late turnover https://t.co/SFjjThKfwh
Klay Thompson also showed support for his young teammate. Thompson believes Jordan Poole is a clutch player who he trusts with the ball late in games.
"I told him in the locker room there's a reason I threw him the ball towards the end of the regulation is because he's like that; he's a clutch player," Thompson said.
"He's a shot creator, and we would not have been on this win streak without him.
"So I know that we all go through those lapses early in our career ... We're going to continue to trust him with the ball in his hands because he's like an engine that makes us go," Thompson continued.
Klay has full confidence in JP to handle the ball in clutch moments https://t.co/fG6gq6mHxS
This kind of organizational leadership and accountability has played a big role in the Golden State Warriors’ success over the past decade. It should only continue to pay dividends as the team looks to get healthy and defend their title.