"He's our future"- Klay Thompson predicts big things for teammate Jordan Poole who shines in victory over the Spurs

Jordan Poole joined teammates Klay Thompson and Steph Curry with at least 200 three-pointers made this season. The Golden State Warriors just became the second team in NBA history with three players hitting the said number of trifectas in one season.

After the game, Thompson had this to say about “JP:”

“Thinking back to his rookie year to where he is now? He’s a champion. He’s got an All-Star game in his future. He’s our future, for the Warriors, obviously. He’s our future. We got so lucky to get a guy like him at the 28th pick, that doesn’t happen often.”

Jordan Poole hit 211 three-pointers last season while Steph Curry had 285. Klay Thompson, who didn’t play until January last year, settled for 114.

With the trio mostly healthy this season, they joined the 2016-17 Houston Rockets with James Harden, Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson on the list.

The defending NBA champs got lucky with Jordan Poole. When they made him the 28th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, several analysts called out the Warriors for making a big mistake. He was Golden State’s diamond in the rough and is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential.

Poole has improved his scoring average in each of his four seasons with the Golden State Warriors. He is averaging 20.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists in a team-leading 78 games. “JP” is also hitting 43.0% from the field, including 33.6% from deep.

The four-year guard’s versatility has also shone, particularly when the Warriors are dealing with injuries. He’s played alongside Steph Curry when Klay Thompson is out or with Thompson when the NBA’s greatest shooter is unavailable.

Sometimes, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr rolls out a three-guard lineup featuring all three shooters. Jordan Poole’s ability to adjust is often an overlooked part of Golden State’s deadly firepower.

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Jordan Poole’s defense will have to improve to prove he’s worth the massive $140 million extension

Steph Curry was regularly hunted by opposing teams on the defensive end. When teams plan to contain “Chef Curry,” they do it with their strategy on offense. They would run Curry ragged through screens, post him up against bigger players, or simply make him work hard on the defensive end.

The ploy worked before, but it’s not consistently employed by opposing teams anymore. The two-time MVP has improved his conditioning, strength and defense so that he’s at least not overwhelmed on defense.

Ditto for Klay Thompson after he returned from two serious injuries. Teams repeatedly went after “Killa Klay,” knowing his defense might not be what it once was before the injuries took their toll.

Thompson suffered his share of embarrassing moments on the defensive end until he’s more or less back to his best two-way self.

Jordan Poole will be tested in the same way and he will have to prove that he can overcome this kind of obstacle. In last year’s NBA finals, the Boston Celtics took advantage of Poole’s suspect defense. On numerous occasions, Steve Kerr had to take him out.

“JP” will have to work on his defensive chops to help the Warriors and to prove he’s worth the $140 million contract.