Jordan Poole waited three years to take the floor in the NBA playoffs for the Warriors. It was worth the wait, as the guard has torched the Denver Nuggets in the first two games of Golden State's first-round series, scoring 59 total points to lead the Warriors to wins in both.
The Warriors have demoralized the Nuggets with the help of their new small-ball lineup. While Poole is flying high after back-to-back blistering playoff performances, his veteran teammates know it's important to keep his feet on the ground.
"The playoffs are tricky," Klay Thompson told reporters Wednesday after practice of the advice he's giving Poole. "The emotions run high when you win, and they run low when you lose. It's important to stay even-keeled and realize it's about winning 16 [games], not doing what we are supposed to do, and winning the first two at home, protecting home court. Respecting your opponent, having appropriate fear that they are more than capable of evening out the series if we don't come in and do our jobs.
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"I just tell these young guys most importantly to enjoy this and appreciate the everyday doings of being an NBA player because nothing is guaranteed in this business."
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Poole and the Warriors' new unnamed lineup have received all the publicity early in the series. Rightfully so.
In 11 minutes, the Warriors' lineup of Poole, Thompson, Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins has an offensive rating of 204.3 and a defensive rating of 75.0. Those numbers are bonkers and show just how dominant the Warriors have been against an undermanned Nuggets team.
Golden State Warriors
Thompson and the Warriors know adversity will come in these playoffs. But for now, the biggest question facing Golden State is whether Poole or Curry should shoot the technical free throws and what the nickname should be for the new lineup.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he'd let Poole and Curry figure out who will shoot the technicals themselves on the court. As for the nickname, Thompson will leave that to the "experts."
"I haven't heard them," Thompson said when asked if any potential nicknames had crossed his radar. "I don't spend much time on the basketball interweb during this time of year. I try to stay away from that. But it's a great lineup, and let the people have fun with it."