SAN FRANCISCO — Everything’s bigger in the NBA Finals: the lights, the attention, the expectations, the overreactions, etc.
People noticed when Jordan Poole scored nine points on 2-of-7 shooting, with four turnovers and a game-low minus-19 in Game 1. He’s only 22, but there’s pressure for Poole to perform in these Finals after the way he elevated his game in his third season.
Despite Thursday’s clunker in Game 1, Poole is averaging 17.8 points, 4.4 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 3-pointers made during the postseason, while shooting 52.3 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from 3-point land.
While many members of Dub Nation have been critical of Poole’s Finals debut, his teammates are staying confident.
“Maybe slow down just a little bit to see the pictures a little bit better,” Curry said. “But he doesn't have to change anything about the way he plays or the way he attacks or where he feels the most confident in terms of making an impact on the game. You just have to be able to bottle up those emotions and the adrenaline because it is different. It's a different experience, knowing it's the Finals, and you go through that in your first experience. It's a little different.”
Poole has a tendency to get too fancy with his dribble and bounce his way into unnecessary turnovers. He can also speed up and throw some ill-advised passes. The Boston Celtics are a very rangy, disciplined and physical team who is going to make Poole bruise his way to buckets.
Poole can expect more of the same from Marcus Smart and Co. going forward.
“It's a game where he didn't really get into rhythm,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Game 1. “You give Boston the credit, again, that they deserve. They are the No. 1 defense in the league. They did a good job on him, staying physical with him. Then you see the tape and you realize, okay, we could do this, we could do that, and you make some adjustments. But ultimately you trust that like any player who has made the impact that he has, you trust that there's going to be some ups and downs. I thought it was a tough night for him, but I have full confidence that tomorrow will be much better.”
Klay Thompson has been one of Poole’s biggest supporters throughout his young career and offered more words of encouragement Saturday.
“I just tell Jordan to relax and not be too hard on yourself,” Thompson said. “He reminds me of my younger self. You want to be great every night, but the nature of the beast, it's not like that unfortunately. There's going to be lulls and there's going to be highs, and just stay even-keeled and realize it's the war of attrition at this point in the year.
“So as long as you stick to your process, great things are going to happen. He's already proved how vital he is to our team. I just remind Jordan, we all have bad games. Even the greatest to ever play have had bad games. Turn off your phone. Don't watch television, sports media because it's very reactionary. When you're at the center of the basketball universe, everyone has an opinion. That can wear you because there's so much time between games. You don't want to think about things that might weigh on your mind.”
Poole is known for being coachable despite his immense expectations of himself. He’s got a flashy game but still has a blue-collar attitude. If history is any indicator, he’ll work his way into an impact role for this series.
The pressure of the big stage is something new for Poole, though, and he’s leaning on his championship-tested locker room. The Splash Brothers have been here before and they’ve definitely got his back.
“I think every basketball player who wants to play at the highest level dreams of playing in the NBA Finals,” Poole said. “In terms of preparation, just doing what I normally do. You know, it's worked so far to get here. Right people in my corner, great teammates, great vets.”
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