NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: NUGGETS VS WARRIORS

April 16, 2022

Jordan Poole

Postgame Media Conference

Golden State Warriors 123, Denver Nuggets 107

Q. Jordan, you said you've been ready your whole career, but how ready were you starting this game? How comfortable did you feel in this moment?

JORDAN POOLE: I felt pretty prepared. Coaching staff did a really good job of putting the game plan up, setting it up, and then we did a really good job as a team just going out there and executing.

Q. You started, looked like you were picking spots and later you went to driving. Walk me through how you worked out the game and got to your spots on the floor and how you wanted to play.

JORDAN POOLE: Just being patient. Looking at the coverage and seeing how they are guarding me. See if they switch things up. But just taking what the defense gives me. Playing within THE offense and just trying to be as locked in as possible when I get open looks.

Q. Did you feel the game shift late second when you went to that smaller lineup and kind of getting Jokic out in space? I think you hit three straight threes, something like that?

JORDAN POOLE: Yeah, even if we were pretty comfortable playing together, we haven't played together, like, much, but being able to just feel each other out there and how dangerous we are and finding ways to get stops and getting out in transition, we were able just to capitalize.

Q. With 2:54 left in the second you cut through the key both ways and went through that lane and you hollered; Steph stared you down. That was a key stretch going into halftime. How fun was that play and did that get you even more hyped up?

JORDAN POOLE: Yeah, I mean -- just talking about being aggressive on the fast break, and just feeling energy, not only from our teammates but from the crowd. We need every last bit of that, especially when it comes to the playoffs to try and win games against these good teams. So just kind of feeding off that energy and feels good to have big brother.

Q. What did Wiggs say to you when you checked out for the final time?

JORDAN POOLE: "Just knock down the free throw." That's what he said.

Q. Steve was just saying that he felt like your performance in the play-in games last year, as well as overall the work that you've put in really helped prepare you for this playoff game. What's your perspective on what ways those things helped you for tonight?

JORDAN POOLE: I didn't know what to expect, obviously from the playoffs last year, the play-in game, people that I've asked said it was pretty close in terms of the atmosphere and physicality, the details. We are just trying to be as prepared as possible.

It's only Game 1. Obviously we have a hot more games to play in and a lot more games to experience but today was a cool one. You know, another game in a couple days.

Q. What was Playoff Draymond like?

JORDAN POOLE: You feel it. You feel it. He stepped it up a notch. Him being our leader, we feed off his energy, and being able to see head honcho go out there, be aggressive, knock down huge stops against the MVP, we feed off that. Being able to have the force that he is back there and the way he controls our offense helps us a lot.

Q. How much easier was it for you to get this start in this game and how good do you feel that you're making it tough when Steph comes back in the starting lineup whether you come out or not?

JORDAN POOLE: Just try to make the most of my opportunity when I'm out there. Just continue to be aggressive and play my game and all my coaches and teammates tell me just to be me, you know, within the offense. Just really try to help us win a game. Never really know. Games change all the time. Adjustments change. You've got to be ready, you've got to be prepared, night-in and night-out.

Q. Did you have to in a sense earn the trust of the veterans? Because you had the ball in your hands a lot when you're out there with them. What's the process like in terms of them getting comfortable with you having the ball in your hand?

JORDAN POOLE: I mean, just playing my game to be honest, shooting the shots that I shoot. Making the passes that I make. In this court, you have the trust of the vets. It's awesome and it's amazing. Them being able to trust me out there just to put our team in a really good position to win is pretty cool.

Q. For you as a playmaker, how would you describe having Steph and Klay out there?

JORDAN POOLE: It's pretty lethal. It's pretty lethal being able to have a lot of off-ball action for these guys and as soon as they get any daylight just trying to find a way to get them the rock and be aggressive, and especially for those two guys, trying to get them as easy shots as possible to get them going. If they get easy looks, open looks, they are cash and they are knock down. Just trying to play the right way to be honest.

Q. What was the big difference having Steph back on the court compared to recent weeks?

JORDAN POOLE: Steph, I mean, you kind of already know. What it's like. We are just so grateful and thankful to have him back. Like I said, we've got a game in a couple days.

Q. You're never going to have another first playoff game, and as a kid, you watch and you hear about what it's like, and then not only do you have your first game but you're surrounded by these guys who have won three championships and all that history but then you're the won showing out. Was the fulfillment factor different? What did it feel like for you and the whole experience?

JORDAN POOLE: There's no better feeling than having the guys behind you who have already been through the fight. They have been through it at the highest level. You know, knowing that if you make any mistakes, you've got those guys that will pick you up, and there's no better feeling than that. I'm just thankful to be on the court with those guys and trying to learn as much as possible so I could continue to put our team in situations to win.

Just got off the floor -- but after I refect on it might.

Q. Did it feel different? The stage, the lights, the crowds?

JORDAN POOLE: To be honest with you, out there, it's just basketball. Hoop, to be honest.

Q. Andre ran out on to the court there in the second half. What did he say to you?

JORDAN POOLE: When they were shooting the free throw, we talked about a coverage on the defensive end, being in the right spot, just kind of talking over a game plan of what might help, what might work and what I might be able to do next time, and then kind of gave me a little bit of insight and that was it.

Q. How much do you appreciate him taking that chance as the game went on?

JORDAN POOLE: It's huge. That's what I mean by being able to have guys behind your back who are experienced and teaching you on the fly. It's one thing to teach it the next day but being able to see it in person, live, it could happen the next possession, and it's something that you've heard before. You know, I guess it's pretty awesome to have for sure.

Q. The one Jokic wrapped in the corner --

JORDAN POOLE: Yeah, might have missed a three, there was a cut at the top of the key and trying to figure out which way to play it.

Q. He was saying he's going to make that pass to the corner, what was the lesson --

JORDAN POOLE: It was a hell of a pass. I mean, it's the heat of the game, you move so fast and you've got to try to make the best possible play. Luckily they missed it and we got the rebound and we were in transition, but just being aware because we are probably going to see it again next game and just finding a way to defend it.