Steve Kerr will keep pushing Jordan Poole to his full potential as he improved on his defense vs. the Bucks. Kerr believes Poole has potential to be an NBA All-Star “down the road.”
You wouldn't have known at first glance, but playing for Steve Kerr can have its challenges.
Recognized as one of the most successful, respected coaches in the game today, Kerr's unique coaching style has been on display even more this season, as the Warriors learn to balance competing for an NBA championship while developing a young, exciting core of future stars.
After the Warriors' 122-109 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night, Klay Thompson spoke about Jordan Poole's progress in his third season and how Kerr's tough love with the young guard is reminiscent of some of the coaches Kerr once played for himself.
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"He's come so far from his rookie year," Thompson told reporters after the game. "He is a really good NBA player with still room to grow, which is scary because he's, what, 22? I'm just really proud of the way he's been playing this season.
"Oh yeah, especially Jordan's first couple years, Steve was hard on him. It comes from a great place, Steve, he's pretty easy to play for, but he can be demanding. He played for some of the most demanding coaches in the game, whether it was [Gregg Popovich], or Phil [Jackson] or Lute Olson, he's learned from the greats."
Poole is one of four Warriors youngsters who will likely make up the next core post-Steph Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green era. Jonathan Kuminga, who has steadily improved throughout his rookie season, is proving to be another by-product of Kerr's coaching.
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"[Jonathan Kuminga], he's so talented and he's very coachable," Thompson added. "When you have a guy that talented who is also coachable, the sky is the limit."
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Poole's junior season in the NBA has been filled with ups and downs. Nevertheless, his early and late-season success has placed him in the thick of the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award conversation.
Without Kerr at the helm, we might not be having that conversation.