Many had Jordan Poole pegged as a betting favorite for Most Improved Player before the 2021-22 NBA season had even started. Fast forward to the end of the regular season, and Poole hasn’t even been nominated for the award.
Instead, three players who are already stars in their own right have gotten the nod over Poole. And that’s fine, but traditionally the MIP award has gone to role players who become key pieces on their team.
If a “star” player were to receive the award, they would have to jump from average to clear megastar status.
The G-League Stint That Started It All
Poole couldn’t pull that off.
Instead, he became a valuable rotation piece for the Golden State Warriors this season and is now a part of the newest iteration of their “death lineup,” alongside Curry, Thompson, Draymond, and Andrew Wiggins.
The playoffs don’t count for regular-season awards, but Poole’s regular season was still incredible. Instead of shining in death lineups, he cameoed alongside Steph Curry for most of the regular season.
Poole’s production was vital to the Warriors’ success early in the season when they were missing Klay Thompson and then became vital again when Curry went out with injury. Poole had to switch off playing alongside either Splash Brother, serving different roles for whatever the Warriors needed on a given night.
2021-22 Jordan Poole was a completely different player from years past.
His improvement is largely credited to his stint in the G-League in February 2021. Playing alongside Jeremy Lin for the Santa Cruz Warriors, Poole was able to get more minutes on the court and greatly expand his game.
Jordan Poole had never scored 25 points in a game before going to the G-League. Since his March 1st, 2021 return, Poole has scored at least 25 points in 22 games.
By contrast, Poole had had 24 games in which he scored five or fewer points. He even posted zero points in a game nine times. After the G-League, Poole scored less than five points just once, in a game where he scored exactly zero points.
With increased attention from trainers and media members alike, Poole showed significant improvement when he came back to the Warriors in March. Immediately, betting odds put him the favorite to win this year’s MIP.
Eyebrow-Raising Jordan Poole Stats
Saying “Jordan Poole’s stats took a leap” is quite an understatement. Poole completely transformed his game while playing in the G-League. So much so that Poole’s stats before and after February 2021 starkly contrast one another.
We compiled Poole’s career stats before and after his February 2021 G-League run.
Poole increased his volume and scoring efficiency, improved as a playmaker, and only averaged one more turnover before and after playing in the G-League.
Look at his stats before January 31st, 2021. Poole wasn’t even a decent bench player at the time. He’s now completely turned around his career trajectory and playing a small part in a larger system, translating to more wins.
Here are Jordan Poole’s regular-season stats from his entire career.
His stats give a clear picture of the improvement Poole has made year-over-year. They also show his increased role in the 2021-22 season.
The Warriors needed Poole more this season than ever, and he came through. Starting a career-high 51 games, Poole played a vital part in the Warriors’ holding onto the number one seed in the West until Stephen Curry slumped.
His contribution amounted to the Warriors grabbing the number three seed in the West. He went from complete scrub to a valued contributor. And he was able to steal the limelight on a team in the middle of a dynasty, with three All-Star caliber players.
Jordan Poole should be this year’s Most Improved Player and will be the awards’ biggest snub this year.
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