Jordan Poole Receives MVP-Level Coaching in 3rd Season
Steph Curry would make an excellent coach after his career is over.
Jordan Poole has had a slow start to the season, relative to what was expected after his preseason performance. Steph Curry, while still the NBA’s leading scorer, is having a slow start to the season relative to his normal performances. If there’s one person who knows how to turn into a human torch in an instant, it’s the 2-time MVP.
Footage this week from the Warriors practice shows Curry and Poole working out together ahead of their next matchup on Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets. The two lead guards, while 10 years apart in experience, have been drawing comparisons from their skillsets, styles of play, and confidence since Poole’s excellent late-season run last season. This season, Poole’s preseason dominance gave him a major boost as the MIP favorite until his struggles through the Warriors’ first 6 games.
After their matchup late last week against the Grizzlies, a 3-point loss in overtime, Curry spoke about Poole’s recent struggles, adding plenty of praise to his light criticism.
“He wants to be great in this league. You can see it, but it takes time” Curry stated. “It’s just about not forcing anything and understanding the games going to come because he’s super talented.”
It’s obvious Steph sees a lot in the young point guard, and with good reason. There’s a common sentiment around the league that young players who put up great numbers but flop later on were “lucky”, one-off guys who couldn’t get theirs at the NBA level. I prefer to look at it this way: If you can score on NBA defenders, you have a spot in this league. It’s a matter of finding rhythm, and having confidence in oneself to do that damage. Curry has even done some coaching to help Poole’s consistency.
There’s plenty of reason to believe Poole is, while not quite the generational talent, the rightful heir to Curry’s spot as the leader of the Warriors in the next era. He’s the best-tenured young guy on the roster alongside a slew of lottery picks, and has clearly shown he’s ready for the NBA stage even just in preseason. It will take time, but Poole will show that Steph’s coaching pays off in the end, meaning that both Poole will have a great career in the league, and Curry would be an excellent coach afterwards.
(Photo credit: Jeff Chiu/AP)