The 2022-23 Warriors season began shrouded under a dark cloud, as the organization dealt with the fallout of Draymond Green’s practice punch seen-round-the-world on Jordan Poole in early October.
Poole has been mercurial throughout his NBA career, but Year 4 didn’t feature the type of consistent progression that was expected after he inked a four-year, $123 million extension last offseason. During Saturday’s year-end interviews in San Francisco, Poole was asked if the incident with Draymond had any lingering effects on his season.
“I mean, we made it to the second round of the playoffs,” Poole said. “We had a good season. Guys stepped up and had a lot of exciting moments. I don't think there was anything that was, you know, changed any of that.”
Poole’s shooting percentage dipped from the field (43 percent) and 3-point (33.6 percent) this season, but Poole averaged a career-high 20.4 points in 30 minutes per game. He joined fellow Milwaukee native Kevon Looney in the All-82 club, but his production fell off massively in the postseason.
In 13 playoff games, Poole averaged just 10.3 points per game while shooting 34.1 percent from the floor and 25.4 percent from 3-point range. He was usually an on-looker in the fourth quarter, as his defensive limitations and offensive struggles made him unplayable.
Last year in the playoffs, Poole rose to the occasion and hit some clutch shots. He tried to explain the difference in his production.
“Probably just a little bit of a role change," Poole said. "Last year I could come in and score, be aggressive with the team that we had around. Being more of a facilitator. Trying to get them easy shots. Throughout the course of the playoffs, we had two really good defensive teams that we played, and just trying to find ways to facilitate, get inside.
“It's not always about scoring. It's about finding ways to try to help our team be successful. You know, I think every playoffs will be different. Everything won't be the same. Like I said, you learn from that, grow from that and apply your skillset.”
Poole’s playoff problems, out-of-control dribbling and poor shot-making made him a big target for criticism. Warriors coach Steve Kerr even called Poole a “lightning rod” for attention. That’s what comes with the territory when you have a flashy game like Poole’s and secured a bag.
Some people – cough, Bonta Hill, cough – have even suggested that Poole might benefit from a change in scenery, as some figure the Warriors could try to trade him and unload his contract this offseason.
“The stuff that we are seeing people say now, whether it's on social media, Instagram, Twitter whatever it, these are the same people that were saying the same things 20 years ago,” Poole said. “They just didn't have the outlet. They didn't have the opportunity to; they were just reading newspapers or listening to the radio. … Good day, bad days; people will say good things, good opinions, bad opinions. But at the end of the day, we are playing a game that we love, and we are able to change families' lives, and that's all that really matters honestly.”
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