Chris Mullin, Monte Poole and Bonta Hill break down the Warriors’ upcoming playoff series against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
Jordan Poole’s ascension this season captured the NBA’s attention.
The 22-year-old’s breakout campaign has been lauded by Warriors fans, teammates, opponents and even other coaches throughout the league, with some advocating for the “Splash Stepbrother” to win Most Improved Player of the 2021-22 season.
The latest to weigh in? Tyrese Haliburton.
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The Indiana Pacers guard took to Twitter on Tuesday to drop his unofficial ballot for this year’s NBA Awards and gave Poole the Most Improved Player nod.
Haliburton wasn't sure about his picks for Defensive Player of the Year or Rookie of the Year, but was definitely certain about Poole's improvement this season. He was able to see Poole up close during three matchups between the Sacramento Kings and Golden State this season, before he was traded to the Pacers.
Haliburton also listed Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid as his choice for Most Valuable Player and Miami Heat's Tyler Herro as Sixth Man of the Year -- not bad company for Poole to be mentioned with.
Golden State has asked a lot of Poole this season as injuries decimated the Warriors’ lineup, and he has stepped up big time in recent weeks as the team secured a playoff spot without Steph Curry. From embracing different positions to performing both as a starter and off the bench, Poole’s rise has players like Draymond Green musing that he won’t return to the second unit when Curry comes back from injury.
Poole even surpassed his teammate and two-time NBA MVP as the league’s top free-throw shooter on Sunday, and earlier in the season the young guard recorded 17 straight games with 20-plus points.
It has been a year full of highlights for Poole, and along with Haliburton, Green is adamant that his teammate is the league’s most improved. Coach Steve Kerr has alluded to as much, too.
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Now in his third year, Poole is reaping the rewards of steady development which saw him receive a single second-place vote for Most Improved Player last season.
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It’s safe to say Poole will receive more than one vote this year.