Something old, something new
Minutes and points for Steph Curry and Mini-Me (Jordan Poole), first two exhibition games.
I find this particularly impressive because at times it appeared the Timberwolves were actually trying to guard Curry. It is interesting to see what happens when he turns his attention to scoring the basketball, and away from appeasing Kevin Durant with some lame pick and roll:
Curry sneaks up on you. You watch, and he does something like the no-look lob that starts this video, and you catch yourself asking “have I ever seen anyone do that before?”
No, I don’t think I have. And with Durant gone, this is his World of Cardboard moment.
And, at the same time, the dreams of the most wild-eyed optimists are being realized: Jordan Poole can play.
When Poole was drafted I and most commentators reacted with skepticism. But in two NBA games he has not looked remotely overmatched. As the Timberwolves send out search parties for Andrew Wiggins, Poole is scoring, often and loudly.
Given that Curry’s greatest weakness is his durability, it was critical for the Warriors to find another disruptive offensive force, preferably a three point threat. Poole, cartoonish and underrated, turns out to have a three-point shot, a variety of bank shots, an effective floater, and a heart of stone, cold murder:
I have no idea what to think of this team. There are gaps and X-factors everywhere. But the defining skill of NBA basketball is scoring the ball, and Jordan Poole is right there, already.
Journalist Monte Poole:
I asked Steve Kerr on Tuesday if he might use a lineup in which D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Poole both join Curry.
“We’d be extremely small, and we’d be vulnerable defensively,” he said. “But we’d be pretty explosive offensively. So, I have no idea. We’ll see.”
We saw. The three guards, none taller than 6-foot-5, shared the court with Draymond Green and Marquese Chriss.
They scored twelve points in three minutes.
With defensive gaps and heaps of inconsistent young players, the Warriors may struggle to break .500 this year. And, with Curry, Russell, and Poole playing together a ball-movement offense overseen by Kerr, they may also be one of the most exciting teams to ever touch a basketball. Will I pay money to watch them? Yes. Yes, I will.