Former Michigan Basketball stars dazzle in NBA playoff openers

One day after Jordan Poole went off for Golden State in the NBA playoffs, another former Michigan basketball standout, Duncan Robinson did the same. 

When people think about elite college basketball programs, they often think of Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, UCLA, and probably even Gonzaga.

Michigan basketball is starting to get mentioned as a blue blood for what it has achieved in terms of winning at the college level, yet the accomplishments of former Wolverines in the NBA are becoming more notable too and this weekend was a great example of that.

On Saturday night, Jordan Poole played in his first-ever NBA playoff game for the Golden State Warriors and looked absolutely at home, making his first six shots on his way to 30 points.

Poole finished the night shooting 9-of-13 in the Warriors’ win over the Nuggets, which included a 5-for-7 effort from 3-point range.

https://twitter.com/umichbball/status/1515776292783808530

Poole is widely considered the favorite to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award and since Steph Curry went down with an injury in March (he returned Saturday), he’s been dominant.

Not only was Poole’s performance impressive, but his play, along with the health of Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green have people talking about the Warriors as an NBA title contender.

Michigan basketball star Duncan Robinson balls out vs the Hawks

When the Miami Heat made the NBA Finals two years ago, Duncan Robinson was a huge part of that run. The former Michigan basketball sharpshooter hasn’t been quite as effective this season, but when the postseason started Sunday for Miami against Atlanta, he was on point.

Robinson turned in one of the best 3-point performances in NBA playoff history as he made 8-of-9 shots from downtown on his way to a team-high 27 points.

Miami, just like Golden State, won its opening game with ease. The Warriors are the third seed in the West, while Miami is the No. 1 in the East.

And if Robinson and Poole keep playing remotely close to the way they did this weekend, both teams should be tough outs going forward.