Next axis of progression for Jordan Poole: defense

He missed a handful of votes Jordan Poole to reach the podium of the players who improved the most last season. Fourth in the vote for this trophy, the back of the Warriors has also increased his statistical production in all sectors.

He went from a year 2021 with 12 points, about 2 rebounds and 2 assists to a last exercise at 18.5 points, 4 assists and more than 3 rebounds with ten more minutes of play (30 on average). What career records.

He has also progressed in all his skill levels, as has been the case since the start of his career (45% in shots, including 36% from long range and 92.5% in throws).

In short, his offensive talent has been in doubt for a while. ” I don’t know if he can do anything more to bring in attack“, so judge Steve Kerrbefore adding: So the area where he can still improve is in defence.“

A sector in which the back, who posted a “Defensive Rating” of 105.5 points (against 110 during his rookie year during which the Warriors had their black year), is rarely highlighted. On the contrary. We remember, to cite just one examplewith a gesture of frustration displayed by Stephen Curry, in the NBA final against the Celtics, when the back had been completely overtaken by Jaylen Brown in penetration.

Steve Kerr, however, believes that during these 2022 playoffs, his first in his career, ” when he was fully into it and playing really physical, he showed he could be a real impact player on both sides of the pitch. But he knows that he is not yet constantly. And so that’s the next step for Jordan.“

Progress in defense while maintaining such an offensive impact? That should give Warriors executives headaches when it comes to extending it…