San Francisco, CA – In Steve Kerr's pregame interview, he wouldn't reveal the Golden State Warriors' starting lineup against the Milwaukee Bucks. That's because he tried a starting five that he's never used in an actual game.
For the first time Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole started together. When the night was over Kerr revealed the reason why he tried this lineup.
“Well, those three have been playing really well, but also I felt like (Jrue) Holiday would be all over Steph and that they would double quite a bit, and blitz,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr told ClutchPoints. “We just felt like rather than going with Moses (Moody), who's been starting the last few games, just getting Jordan out there as a secondary playmaker, we'd have some openings.”
The Warriors won the game 122-109. It was an impressive performance against the defending champs. The trio dominated the game but, Poole and Thompson did most of the damage. Poole finished with 30 points, and Thompson had a season-high 38 points. Curry only had 8 points but he only shot the ball seven times.
Article Continues Below“It worked out, but it worked out because Jordan played a great game. I mean, he was patient, only one turnover,” the Warriors head coach continued. “He's been so much better defensively the last couple of games, staying in the fight, staying in the game, getting some rebounds, he had six boards tonight which is key. We outrebounded them for the game by quite a bit. If Jordan can play both ends like that, it makes our offensive attack that much better.”
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Kerr has challenged Poole on the defensive end all season. He believes if Poole can be a two-way player for the Warriors, he will be more than a sixth man candidate, he will be an All-Star just like Curry and Thompson.