There’s no denying Jordan Poole’s potential in the NBA.
At his best, he’s a firecracker of instant offense with one of the sauciest handles in the game. But Poole’s lack of progression with ball security and defense in his fourth season hurt his ability to earn coach Steve Kerr’s trust in the fourth quarter of playoff games.
While Poole never outwardly said he was upset with his role as a sixth man for the Warriors, there was an undercurrent that the 24-year-old wasn’t satisfied to be a bench player. Jason Dumas of KRON4 joined 95.7 The Game’s “The Morning Roast” Friday to give his thoughts on Poole’s departure via the Chris Paul trade to the Washington Wizards.
Poole swiftly unfollowed Draymond Green on Instagram upon getting traded, as many figured that their relationship was forever fractured when Draymond punched the young guard during a practice last October. But Dumas thinks that Poole’s relationship with Kerr also soured during their four-year tenure.
“I honestly think the relationship between him and Steve was more of what got him traded than his relationship with him and Draymond Green,” Dumas said. “I just think he was kinda fed up with the fact that Jordan was kinda huffin’ and puffin’ that he wasn’t in the right role for him. I think that had more to do with him being moved than that punch. The punch didn’t help and his relationship with Draymond wasn’t great, but I think Steve was more fed up than anything.”
Poole’s work ethic and talent are undeniable, but his body language could have been better during the playoffs.
In the fourth quarter of a loss to the Sacramento Kings in the first round, Poole could be seen using spirit fingers during free throw attempts on the bench or goofing around as he saw his team lose. He also appeared to be disengaged during a key timeout in the fourth quarter of Game 7 at Sacramento of that first-round series, while Kerr was drawing up plays with the season still hanging in the balance. If media members can notice that reaction, you can bet the coaching staff did, too.
Now Poole gets a fresh start with the Wizards, where he figures to be in the starting backcourt, and Kerr will rely on the super veteran Paul.
