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Michigan Basketball: Jordan Poole looks like an absolute superstar

By Chris Peterson

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MAY 01: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors goes to the basket against De'Anthony Melton #0 of the Memphis Grizzlies during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on May 01, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MAY 01: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors goes to the basket against De'Anthony Melton #0 of the Memphis Grizzlies during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on May 01, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /
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The transformation of former Michigan basketball player Jordan Poole from late first-round pick to potential superstar has been incredible to watch. 

The Golden State Warriors continued their hot start to the 2022 NBA playoffs as they opened the Western Conference semifinals with a game-one victory over Memphis 117-116 on Sunday.

It was a great NBA game. The Grizzlies are an up-and-coming team and Ja Morant might be the most exciting player to watch in the entire league.

Yet, the Warriors are pretty exciting too and with the emergence of former Michigan basketball standout Jordan Poole this season and in particular, these playoffs, Golden State is looking every bit like a team capable of winning an NBA championship.

And Poole might be the biggest reason why.

Getting Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green (sort of) healthy and back to form was also essential for the Warriors. But at this point in their careers, that’s not enough and Poole is the X-factor, along with Andrew Wiggins, that can get this team over the hump.

Since Curry is back to being fully healthy or as close as he’ll probably get, he was back in the starting lineup over Poole. But it didn’t matter as Poole still led the Warriors in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and 3-pointers.

Jordan Poole continues to reach new levels

The former Michigan basketball player saw 38 minutes of action and was 5-for-10 from 3-point range with some truly incredible makes and when it was all said and done, he was just one rebound and two assists short of a playoff triple-double.

Pretty good for a guy that was mocked when he entered the draft. The Warriors were ridiculed for picking him.

Who’s laughing now?

Soon enough, Poole will be laughing all the way to the bank as he’s probably going to get something close to a max contract from Golden State or someone else.

It’s incredible how efficient Poole has become over the years and so far this postseason, he’s averaging 22.3 points per game while shooting 56 percent from the field and 48 percent from the 3-point line. He’s also making 92.5 percent of his free throws and led the league in free throw percentage during the regular season.

On top of all that, he’s dishing out six assists per game in the playoffs, grabbing three boards, and getting 1.2 steals per game.

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In short, Poole is arriving as an NBA superstar and as a Michigan basketball fan, it’s really fun to watch.

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