Jordan Poole Says He's Being Defended Like Steph Curry

Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole believes he is facing Steph coverages
Jordan Poole Says He's Being Defended Like Steph Curry
Jordan Poole Says He's Being Defended Like Steph Curry /
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After signing a major contract extension, it was clear that Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole could no longer fly under the radar. This probably would have been true even without the extension, as Poole was a key factor in Golden State winning the NBA Championship last season, but there is no doubt that Poole is now a much bigger focus of opposing defenses than he was early in his career.

Being a late first-round pick and also having multiple G-League stints, Poole was not always this level of player. Now a key piece off the bench for a Warriors team that looks to defend their title, he is adjusting the the increased defensive attention he is facing. According to Poole, second units are defending him the way starting groups defend Steph Curry.

In a recent interview with The Athletic, Poole said, "How people are guarding Steph in the first unit is how they’re guarding me in the second unit. When we’re not on the court together, I get the same coverage as he gets."

While it may feel that way to Poole, there is not another player in the NBA that faces the coverages Steph Curry faces on a nightly basis. Teams consistently double-team Steph Curry one step inside of half-court, which is something Poole is not regularly facing.

The defense may be more focused on Poole than in prior years, but it has not approached Steph Curry levels.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.