Warriors burning question: How big of jump will Poole make?

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A few weeks ago, one question that the Warriors needed to answer was who would start in place of Klay Thompson?

With Kelly Oubre Jr. gone, the starting shooting guard spot was vacant and there were a few viable options of people who fill it. Through four preseason games, that question has been answered.

Jordan Poole will start. And he deserves it. The question for Poole this season was going to be about if he would be able to take another jump this season, but now it's a little different. 

Burning question

Instead, the question for Poole is: Just how big of a jump will he make?

Putting up 23 points on 51.6 percent shooting -- including 40 percent from 3-point range -- 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game through the preseason so far, some might not remember that just two years ago, Poole was struggling to buy a minute in the NBA. And when he was put into games, he struggled. 

Last season, Poole took a jump. He went to the G League bubble in Orlando and emerged as a steady rotational player for the Warriors off the bench. He could be counted on to give Golden State a scoring burst, while also being a decent floor general for the second unit. His shooting improved, and his confidence blossomed. 

Heading into this season, the Warriors knew they needed more from Poole. But not many predicted he would be doing this much for the team this quickly. You can only take so much away from preseason games, but what Poole is doing isn't a fluke. 

He has shown both his ability to shoot from Steph Curry and Klay Thompson-like spots on the floor, while also finishing at the rim. He can handle the ball and initiate plays for teammates. The last area that needs a lot of improvement is his defense, which Poole is well aware of.

If he can do that, there's a chance he could firmly cement himself in the conversation for Most Improved Player.

For the Warriors to contend ...

Poole has to keep up what he has done as the regular season starts ... and beyond. 

Over the last two years, the Warriors have struggled to find a shooting guard to pick up the slack left by Thompson's absence. They seem to have figured it out with Poole. So he has to keep this up until Thompson returns. 

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But even after Thompson comes back, Poole has to continue his high scoring off the bench. 

Golden State has a much deeper bench this season, so it won't be as desperate for scoring as last season, but if the Warriors want to make it deep into the playoffs, they need every bit of scoring they can get. Poole will play a big role in that. 

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