The Golden State Warriors have the greatest three-point shooter in NBA history in Steph Curry and another one of the best ever, Klay Thompson. But with the team trailing by three in the final seconds of Game 1 of its playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, it was another player who attempted the game-tying three.
It did not go well.
Curry grabbed a rebound and sprinted up the court. The Lakers were not going to let Curry tie the game, at least not easily, and quickly double-teamed him. So, Curry passed out to Draymond Green, who quickly whipped the ball over to Jordan Poole.
Poole was open, but was well behind the three-point line. Given that he caught the ball with more than 10 seconds left, there was more than enough time for Curry or Thompson to move around and try to get free. There was also time for Poole to dribble in and try for a closer, more realistic three.
But he opted to shoot from that spot. The shot bricked.
Jordan Poole taking this three was certainly…a choice. pic.twitter.com/XYC0HnfSL6
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 3, 2023
Los Angeles came down with the rebound and later made a pair of free throws to ice the game.
Poole came under heavy criticism for taking such an ill-advised shot.
The warriors looking at Jordan Poole in the locker room #NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/uKlUMzi40I
— Kevin Frazier (@KevinFrazier) May 3, 2023
Not just taking the three but from that distance WITH THE ROOM TO MOVE CLOSER!!!! 😂😂😂 https://t.co/sH0KdjK3mb
— PARTYATCHURCH (@PastorAD3) May 3, 2023
“JORDAN POOLE TO TIE THE GAME!!!”
https://t.co/00suF9pm7g— Jeffery Perkins (@JefferyxBball) May 3, 2023
He pulled up like Jordan at UNC. Supreme confidence to throw up a brick. https://t.co/KSdSTp5WBo
— Carrington Harrison (@cdotharrison) May 3, 2023
Entire Warriors fanbase watching Jordan Poole take that 30 footer… pic.twitter.com/QPDHmLm4e9
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) May 3, 2023
Poole struggled for much of Golden State’s first-round series win over the Sacramento Kings. But for most of Game 1 against the Lakers, his shot was working. Before that miss, he was 6-for-10 on three-point shots.
Unfortunately for Poole, those earlier threes might have made him overconfident in the game’s final seconds.
[Photo Credit: TNT]
