The Jordan Poole era in DC is already troubling! Is there hope?!

[Braman]

I don't know what the fukk you're talking about, nxgga.




The majority of these scoring possessions he's playing off-the-ball.

These clips literally show him playing the 1. Getting the exact type of looks and space that come with playing the 1 and working from top of the key @1:18, @1:37, @ 1:47. It also shows quite a few of his assists as a distributor. Of course EVERY bucket he scores isnt going to be off the dribble but the majority are, and even one bucket he got out the corner came off pick action that originated from him bringing the ball up @1:27

Why did you post this clip? This is EXACTLY what all of us are talking about re: freeing Poole by playing the 1

 

[Don Homer]

lemme find out Jordan Poole is actually turning this shyt around

 

[Elim Garak]

He'll be back to his old self in no time.

 

[yseJ]

He's actually legitimately trying on defense now which is the biggest shift. I didn't mind him getting into foul trouble. It showed he was finally making efforts.

He's kinda stopped doing that thing you are talking about which used to happen for real. I think he's playing with more physicality and speed

yeah those three things (effort on defense, and being smart on offense and turnovers) prolly were the biggest issues

sounds like he growing up

 

[Heavy_Handz]

Alex Sarr needs to give up his dreams of being a perimeter player and embrace that his pathway to success is as a shot blocker & rebounder. He could be so much more effective if he focused all of his energy on developing that side of his game. There’s enough weapons he doesn’t need to be jacking 3’s.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

These clips literally show him playing the 1. Getting the exact type of looks and space that come with playing the 1 and working from top of the key @1:18, @1:37, @ 1:47. It also shows quite a few of his assists as a distributor. Of course EVERY bucket he scores isnt going to be off the dribble but the majority are, and even one bucket he got out the corner came off pick action that originated from him bringing the ball up @1:27

Why did you post this clip? This is EXACTLY what all of us are talking about re: freeing Poole by playing the 1

He's playing the same role he always has since becoming a main rotational player.

This is why I emphasized it's a hybrid role, where he has one foot in either sphere of being a 1 and 2.

I don't know what you're trying to prove by saying he "brings up the ball" on a certain possession as if that somehow negates he scored on a catch-and-shoot opporunity? The scoring actions in those clips are largely him getting off-ball actions when defenses can't zone in on him. He's playing the same damn role he did in the 2023 playoffs when he couldn't handle the pressure, and couldn't get anything going offensively because he was in way over his head.

He was literally bringing up the ball in that postseason and dribbling the cotdamn ball off his leg, or dribbling himself into trouble when defenses gameplanned for him.

He's not being freed up this season by a change in role. It's simply low stakes regular season hoops and he's approaching the game more seriously. That's all there is to it. If he comes crashing back down to Earth at any point and looks like he did last season, is that because he's no longer been freed up by this new role you think he has, or has he been playing the same damn role and this is who he is as a player?

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Alex Sarr needs to give up his dreams of being a perimeter player and embrace that his pathway to success is as a shot blocker & rebounder. He could be so much more effective if he focused all of his energy on developing that side of his game. There’s enough weapons he doesn’t need to be jacking 3’s.

I don't think this is entirely fair to Sarr.

He's shown potential in breaking down defenses either on the break or as a secondary ball-handler. His shooting isn't there and remains to be seen if it ever will, but there's a lot more to his offensive game where he shouldn't be limited to just the other side of the ball. He reminds me a lot of Giannis in how he operates around the floor. No reason why he can't become at least a diet version of that type of player.

Bilal had the same label cast upon him last season and he's already shown a ton of progression on the offensive end.

 

[Blackrogue]

Alex Sarr needs to give up his dreams of being a perimeter player and embrace that his pathway to success is as a shot blocker & rebounder. He could be so much more effective if he focused all of his energy on developing that side of his game. There’s enough weapons he doesn’t need to be jacking 3’s.

I think the organization is thinking ahead as far as how he will affect spacing. The defense is already there. The rebounding is mid so far but as his body fills out he'll be better.

Operating solely in the paint will be a liability in team ball so they are allowing him to shoot even if he doesn't make it cause when he eventually has the percentages its an available shot. They don't care whether he makes it or not. Right now it's just about development. Eventually he can be an AD, JJJ, Myles Turner, Evan mobley type with the flexibility to play the four or five. Right now they are working on that package.

 

[Blackrogue]

I don't think this is entirely fair to Sarr.

He's shown potential in breaking down defenses either on the break or as a secondary ball-handler. His shooting isn't there and remains to be seen if it ever will, but there's a lot more to his offensive game where he shouldn't be limited to just the other side of the ball. He reminds me a lot of Giannis in how he operates around the floor. No reason why he can't become at least a diet version of that type of player.

Bilal had the same label cast upon him last season and he's already shown a ton of progression on the offensive end.

Yeah Sarr is a surprisingly good passer and he has a ton of mobility. He has mentioned Giannis as a player he likes. Telling him to park his ass in the paint is old school.

 

[TEH]

Did anybody watch him last year in GS? Especially in the playoffs?
He was literally unplayable, looked like he didn't belong on an NBA court
I'm shocked some people thought this was gonna be some James Harden to Houston breakout, he's never shown anything close to that skill

Very inefficient scorer, extremely turnover prone the more he handles the ball, atrocious defender, etc
What about that says good NBA player?

That’s what happens when a bronsexual punches you in the face

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

He's showing a bit more on offense. That move on Bam at 1:04 is nice.

 

[duckbutta]

Jordan Poole era

 

[SoSoSlick]

He's showing a bit more on offense. That move on Bam at 1:04 is nice.

He's gonna be alright. I see him gettin dunked on a lot and pushed around on the block this year for sure. He's gonna get his blocks too tho. Just needs experience and to get stronger.

 

[Wiirdo]

He's showing a bit more on offense. That move on Bam at 1:04 is nice.

His defense was mixed last night. A lot of good lateral movement staying with certain players, some great blocks, but also wasn't anywhere near Bam for his threes and he struggled heavily when Bam dropped the shoulder on him. Also like three quarters of the shots taken directly in front of him, he didn't really put his hand up, but I can chalk that up to inexperience and I'm sure he'll get better at it very quickly.

His biggest problem right now by a mile is the rebounding, which was absolutely pathetic. A total lack of effort on any second chance point within the paint, not even raising his arms to try tip balls, which resulted in way smaller players getting the balls multiple times. The possession where Thomas Bryant got 3 offensive boards over him was truly horrific, and Miami are not a good offensive rebounding team.

Still loads of potential, but he's raw as hell.