Jordan Poole’s play will always be a factor for the Golden State Warriors.
Whether that’s a positive or negative factor depends on the day, and he’s not doing much to help his team in the postseason.
Poole’s recent fall from grace reached another all-time low in Game 4 versus the Los Angeles Lakers, going scoreless (0-for-4 from the field, 0-for-2 from beyond the arc) in just 10 minutes of play in this crucial contest.
Notably, the Warriors were still in a position to win the game, so it’s not like they needed him that much to get the job done.
So, following the game, Warriors insider Kerith Burke reports that there was some tension in the locker room when Poole had to address the media, up to the point where all players were listening closely:
.@KerithBurke describes a tension-filled locker room when Jordan Poole talked to the media pic.twitter.com/VCWpciaq3C
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) May 9, 2023
This might be yet another sign of Poole’s evident frustration with his lack of playing time.
He’s called out Steve Kerr in the past for not playing him enough, not to mention him ignoring Stephen Curry in the series against the Sacramento Kings or his heated altercation on the sidelines with Draymond Green.
Reports from the Warriors’ camp in the offseason claimed that Poole handled himself differently since signing that big contract in the summer, and it’s clear that he’s looking for a bigger role; he just hasn’t earned it.
Poole is a defensive liability, and there’s no reason to have him on the floor when his shot isn’t falling.
NEXT: Steph Curry Responds To Criticism About Jordan Poole
