Jordan Poole’s final season with the Warriors included a punch to the face from teammate Draymond Green, an early exit from the playoffs, and a trade to the Washington Wizards.
But not all of Poole’s time in the bay was negative.
As Golden State prepares to host Washington on Friday night at Chase Center, Poole and his former Warriors teammates shared some of their favorite memories from their four years together.
“There was a game where we started together and I think I had 35 points and he had 30 points,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson told The Athletic’s Anthony Slater. “We were playing jazz and coming back from 20th place. It was a great moment for us to know we could do this.”
The game Thompson was referring to was in the final stretch of the regular season. Poole appeared in the final 12 games in place of the injured Stephen Curry, averaging 25.8 points, 42.1 percent shooting, five rebounds and 6.2 assists in 35.4 minutes.
Curry returned for the playoffs, but Poole was equally consistent, averaging 17 points on 50.8 percent shooting and helping the Warriors win their fourth NBA title in eight seasons.
“We want him to do what he did,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “Started the first 50 games, ceded the position to Klay, then played a big role in the playoffs. Started games, came off the bench, did everything Jordan needed to do.”
In the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, Poole dropped 30 points, 29 points, and 27 points in the first three games of the series. Kevon Looney said it was one of his favorite memories with Poole, recalling his transition 3-point shot against DeMarcus Cousins.
“That’s when I thought, ‘Oh, he’s going to be really good,'” Rooney told Slater. “Aren’t you nervous doing something like that in his first playoff experience? Steph came off the bench and still put on a show.”
Poole’s favorite game against Golden State was Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies. Mr Carr agreed.
Green was ejected for a flagrant foul on Brandon Clarke, and Poole replaced Green in the second half. It was an ugly shooting night for Curry, Thompson, and Andrew Wiggins, but Poole shot effectively, going 12-of-20 from the field (60 percent) and 5-of-10 from beyond the arc (50 percent). He scored 31 points and made a big step up. .
“Oh yeah, when I played Tyus. [Jones] And they are,” Poole told Slater, pointing to Jones, now his teammate with the Wizards. “Especially on the street.”
“He saved us a lot in the playoffs,” Rooney said.
Curry’s three favorite moments in the pool all happened during the 2022 NBA Finals. It was Poole who sparked a 21-0 run that helped the Warriors defeat the Celtics and ultimately win the championship in Game 6 of the final game in Boston.
“It was great,” Curry said. “But also half-court shots. Game 2 and Game 5.”
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