The Golden State Warriors have been the best team in the NBA thus far this season. They sit atop the Western Conference with a 29-7 record, which is the best in the league. The scary part is that they could get even better in the coming days, as Klay Thompson is expected to make his return to the lineup.
With Thompson’s impending return, that means the lineup will have some changes. One of the players to see a big change in role is likely going to be third-year shooting guard, Jordan Poole.
Poole has had an excellent 2021-22 season thus far. He is the third-leading scorer on the team, pouring in 18.1 points per night with 3.4 assists, 3.3 rebounds and one steal in 30.1 minutes.
The Michigan product started the first 28 games of the season before he was sidelined. However, since returning to the lineup following a six-game absence because of being in the league’s health and safety protocols, he has moved into a bench role.
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In his return to the lineup, he played only 16:53, which is a season-low. The team was probably easing him back after his absence. In his second game, he played 26:11, which he played fewer than only four times in his first 28 starts.
The fewer minutes is something that he will likely need to get used to with Thompson coming back. Golden State has pushed his return back this far because he wanted to be ready for a full allotment of minutes upon his return, not have to work his way into it.
While some players would be disappointed to have their role changed when playing so well, Jordan Poole is not one of them. He will embrace whatever role he is given with the team winning as many games as they are.
“Shit, we winning games…We were not good my first couple years. Now we’re (29-7) or whatever. You kind of just ride that wave.”
LATEST NBA NEWS: Klay Thompson’s Expected Return Date For Warriors — Revealed
As the team’s sixth man he will still have a prominent role with the team. He could receive even more scoring opportunities as Poole could be subbed in for Steph Curry, not playing alongside him as often.
Coming off the bench, Jordan Poole will be the No. 1 option. The Golden State Warriors have other players capable of scoring with the second unit, such as Otto Porter Jr., Gary Payton II and Nemanja Bjelica, but it will be Poole who is the go-to player.
It is a role that may take a little getting used to, as he will be the focal point of the opposing team’s defensive game plan. Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green won’t be there as often to bail him out. But, with how well he has played, it is a role that he seems ready to take over.
