Lakers News: Stephen Curry Defends Jordan Poole's Errant Three Try

Shooters are going to shoot.

Game one of the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals between your Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors did not disappoint one bit. Both squads did what they do best with the Dubs dominating from deep and the Lakers pushing the pace while Anthony Davis controlled the paint.

Bench play was evident in this first matchup as well as Dennis Schröder poured in 19 points while also giving Jared Vanderbilt a break from chasing Stephen Curry around. As for Golden State, Jordan Poole looked to finally be finding his footing after a rough first round.

He got hot early with some smooth three's and even taunted D'Angelo Russell after one of them.

We need a Jordan Poole- D'Angelo Russell rivalry😂pic.twitter.com/A4IJJSUDte

— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) May 3, 2023

Some late game heroics from Curry and company caused the Lakers to blow a lead in the fourth quarter and gave the Dubs prime position to tie the game. A three from LeBron James rimmed out and Curry had the ball with about 15 seconds left while being down 112-115.

We all know what happened next... the ball found its way into Jordan Poole's hands and he confidently took another three-pointer from well beyond the line that resulted in a miss and a game one loss.

Reactions to Jordan Poole's missed 28-footer with 9 seconds left

Barkley: "I don't like that shot at all."
Taylor Rooks: "He can't be serious!"
Haliburton: "I would have shot that too."
Frye: "That's why you here with us." 🤣pic.twitter.com/VkDpnQQO8G

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 3, 2023

However, even though the analysts that were calling the game are on Twitter's side and have been ripping the 23-year-old guard apart for what the believe to be a bad shot, his superstar teammate doesn't feel the same way.

Curry is widely regarded as the greatest shooter of all time and he has normalized those types of shots in a way over these past few years. He, of all people, was not about to slander Poole for attempting one.

"It was a shot he was open and flowing," said Curry. "Considering how they guard us on that possession, you know, trapping me at the half court, Draymond swinging it over to him, it's kind of an in-rhythm shot. I'm sure he felt pretty good about it. That's why he shot it. There are no kind of regrets about that. It's just a make-or-miss type situation and a lot of trust in him and his ability to put the ball in the basket."

(Via ESPN)

We sure are happy that he felt confident enough to take this shot because of the result. However, it's important the Lakers continue to key on Poole this entire series because he can get very hot in streaks.

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