Why Jordan Poole is set to become a breakout star in NBA Playoffs

Former Michigan basketball standout Jordan Poole is having a great season with the Warriors and here’s why he will be a national name in the NBA playoffs. 

March Madness may be over, but Michigan basketball fans certainly remember that Jordan Poole is no stranger to memorable March Madness moments.

Poole’s buzzer-beater helped Michigan basketball advance to the Sweet 16 and kept alive its run to the National Championship game. With the NBA playoffs set to begin next Saturday, Poole could deliver some memorable moments on another big stage.

After declaring early for the NBA Draft, Jordan Poole was the 28th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors.

Golden State was the dominant team in the NBA in the latter part of the 2010s, culminating with three championships in four years. Poole did not get to enjoy any of that success as the Warriors missed the playoffs in each of Poole’s first two seasons.

However, the Warriors’ struggles, particularly in his rookie season, allowed Poole to earn more playing time along with time spent in the G-League.

Poole will breakout in the NBA playoffs

After averaging 10.3 points per game in his first two seasons, Poole has enjoyed a breakout campaign in year three. He is averaging career highs in every main statistical category with 18.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.9 rebounds on shooting splits of 45/37/92.

Poole was tasked with being one of the Warriors’ secondary scorers beyond Steph Curry while guard Klay Thompson returned from injury. However, even since Klay Thompson has returned, Poole has looked like he should remain the second option at times.

Now,  the Warriors have been without Steph Curry since March 16th when he suffered a sprained foot against the Boston Celtics. However, Poole has stepped up in Curry’s absence. Poole had a streak of 20 consecutive games with 20 points end last night when he still had 19 points. He led the NBA in 3-pointers made in the month of March.  In the last 10 games without Curry, Poole is averaging 26.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists.

The Warriors are just 4-6 in that stretch and were 5-11 in March so by no means am I suggesting that Poole is ready to replace Curry. The Warriors will need their former two-time MVP back if it hopes to win its fourth championship in the last seven years. Curry is progressing but still not practicing at full speed, putting his status in question for the start of the postseason. Whether or not Curry is back, Poole will be essential to the Warriors’ success in the playoffs.

If he is out, Poole will continue in his current role as the Warriors leading scorer and point guard. When Curry gets back, few players in the history of the game attract the attention he does when he crosses halfcourt. Poole will be tasked with taking some of the pressure off Curry as he has all season, along with Thompson and Draymond Green as a facilitator. He also serves as the Warriors’ backup point guard and runs the second unit when Curry and Green are off the floor. The Warriors were also toying with a three-guard lineup before Curry went down with Curry, Poole, and Thompson sharing the court together.

If the Warriors make a deep run, Poole will be a big reason why and they may need him to average 20 points per game. If he does so at age 22, Poole will find himself in some elite company joining Isiah Thomas, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James among others. More recently, we have seen young guards blow up in the NBA Playoffs and raise their profile like Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray, and Tyler Herro in the bubble.

The NBA Playoffs are the biggest stage in basketball and Poole is ready for his playoff moment.