Warriors’ Steve Kerr comes to Jordan Poole’s defense: ‘I hate that he gets any criticism’

Right or fallacious, every time there is a Golden State Warriors remark about how significantly better issues are this 12 months than they had been remaining 12 months, it appears like a shot at Jordan Poole. Second unit working smoother with Chris Paul? Shot at Poole. Chemistry higher within the locker room? Shot at Poole. 

On Thursday, Draymond Green stated the next:

“Last year we had an awful team as far as chemistry goes — pathetic,” Green stated. “You look at last year and say, ‘Ah man, this team hasn’t lost a Western Conference series under Steve Kerr.’ And then it happens. The big reason why is our chemistry sucked.

“… Last 12 months was once horse sh–. It was once laborious to come to paintings. … Not amusing, you recognize?”

It’s hard to imagine this comment isn’t aimed directly at Poole. He and Donte DiVincenzo are the only main players from last season’s team that are no longer in the locker room. 

Green clearly has beef with Poole. He punched the guy in the face during a preseason practice, and many would argue that single act of teammate-on-teammate crime derailed the Warriors’ whole season. You don’t have to be a genius to connect the dots. Steve Kerr seemingly connected them, and, on Friday, he came to Poole’s defense. 

“First of all, I believe it is unfair for folks to simply level at Jordan [Poole],” Kerr said on 95.7 The Game. “That’s fallacious… Jordan was once incredible whilst he was once right here. He helped us win a championship. I hate that he gets any grievance. Last 12 months went fallacious for numerous causes and all of us percentage the blame in that.”

Here’s Kerr’s complete reaction:

If ever there have been ever two facets to a tale, it is this one. Green obviously went over the road through touchdown a haymaker on his then-teammate, and if that did junk up the Warriors’ season, it was once on no account the primary time he has value his crew. Anyone have in mind the 2016 Finals? The Draymond suspension for shedding his cool? Or when he went right into a sideline tirade on Kevin Durant, who left the next summer time? Green has a historical past right here, it doesn’t matter what Poole may’ve stated to set him off. 

On the turn facet, the Warriors are beautiful obviously a extra attached crew this season. The vibes really feel nice even from the outdoor, and, at the courtroom, there is no comparability between the affect Paul has had on the second one unit, and the crew as a complete, successfully in Poole’s position. The complete crew is simply so a lot more strong, even though they nonetheless be afflicted by their conventional turnover woes, and the protection has been stout, which was once at all times at a drawback with Poole at the courtroom.

So yeah, the crew seems higher at the courtroom, and, in accordance to Draymond, it feels higher within the locker room, too. But Poole cannot be saddled with all of the blame for that. The truth of the subject is Poole was once an important a part of a championship crew, as Kerr stated. In truth, he carried the Warriors from time to time. He was once a beautiful just right participant who had some nice stretches and a few horrible ones; it is simply that the horrible ones are extra contemporary in our minds.