There's no doubt that Jordan Poole has gone from fringe rotation player to budding star in the matter of one season. He's been a force on the offensive side for a Golden State Warriors side all season, even as the core players have gone in and out of the lineup.
But could he be the league's Most Improved Player? Former Warriors fan favorite Zaza Pachulia sure thinks so. The Georgian journeyman center laid out the facts as to why Jordan Poole is the player most deserving of said award.
Beyond just the statistics, Pachulia thinks that it's his reputational ascent that gives him the edge over the other names being floated around the league. Jordan Poole is now seen as a serious threat by opposing teams as he's been scouted like a borderline star player on most nights.
Via The News & Observer:
“Talking to other players from opposing teams, he earned the respect from the other players. He’s always on top of the scouting in our league for the opposing teams,” the former Warriors vet said on 95.7 The Game Tuesday morning. “I don’t know what else can be called star status but hopefully he’s going to win the Most Improved Player of the Year.”
But the numbers don't lie, either. Jordan Poole has been on an absolute tear of late, scoring 20 or more points in 17 straight contests. The small sample size isn't too concerning either given that he's already averaging 18.4 points per game on an efficient 45.3% from the field and 36.8% from the three-point line.
But beyond the scoring and efficiency, he's also finding ways to contribute in other facets. Poole has basically doubled his rebounding and assist averages from the previous season, tallying 3.4 and 3.8 per game, respectively.
“If you look at the last 17 games, he’s scored more than 20 points in all 17 games and there are only nine players in the history of the Warriors that have done that,” Pachulia said. “He proved in every category — the scoring, the rebounds, the assists, the field goal percentage, three-point percentage, free throw percentage — he has made so much improvement from the previous year.”
Most Improved Player or not, Jordan Poole has been a revelation for the Warriors this season. Fans will definitely prefer if he can help bring a Larry O'Brien trophy to Golden State instead.
Follow Us
Subscribe