NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. WARRIORS

June 1, 2022

Jordan Poole

Golden State Warriors

Media Day

THE MODERATOR: First question.

Q. Your first year was with a 15-win team. Obviously that was not the standard that was set here. What do you remember about that season and sort of the fight that Kerr and Draymond had to keep it accountable and about winning?

JORDAN POOLE: I think something that stood out from my first year was that even though we didn't win that many games, there was still championship coaching and championship DNA every single day we came in to work, came into practice. It was just about building for the future, continuing to better ourselves, put ourselves in the situation because we knew the opportunity would come where we'd be at the highest stage.

To see it come full circle is pretty cool.

Q. It's been a little crazy in a good way now. How important was it to be able to get run your rookie year in a situation when you were drafted you probably didn't think you were going to get a tremendous amount of run?

JORDAN POOLE: It was huge, just being able to pick and choose my spots, kind of feel the flow of the game, see what was different between college and NBA.

Find ways to incorporate that to better my game. With the 15-win season that we had, it was a blessing in disguise, for sure.

Q. Jordan, what do you remember most from your pre-draft conversations with the Warriors, whether it be [Bob] Myers or anybody else in the front office?

JORDAN POOLE: They knew that I could score. They knew I could play-make. They just wanted to see how I was as a competitor and if I could win. I feel that's something that stood out. I was able to show that in my pre-draft workout. I think I've been able to show that here as well.

Q. Everyone talks about the veterans with Steph, Klay, Draymond. How important is it to have guys like Shaun Livingston, Leandro Barbosa and Zaza [Pachulia] to be in the front office and around you on a pretty daily basis?

JORDAN POOLE: I incorporate them with the vets as well just because they have the experience, they've been here before, they've been in the Finals. Just being able to walk around the facility, locker room, ask those guys questions, is huge.

It's a blessing. Being able to gain other knowledge from so many people who have been in this position, try to soak it all in, apply it when I have the chance.

Q. This is obviously your first Finals. What is it also like for Moody and Kuminga, the first two Lottery picks to reach the Finals in their rookie season. What is it like for you three guys, trying to soak all this in? What was today like for you guys?

JORDAN POOLE: It's amazing to be a part of. I think something that keeps being reiterated is embrace it, no matter the age or who you are. The Finals doesn't come to everybody. You don't want to take it for granted. Got to try to soak in as much knowledge as you can, especially the younger guys, really embrace this opportunity, this experience, apply everything that you learn going forward.

Q. Do you guys ever talk about the future, what it might be like for you guys? Everybody talks about the championship DNA of the vets. Everybody is also talking about there's also the future. Do you guys, the young guys, ever talk about what the future could be like for you guys?

JORDAN POOLE: Not really. I think our vets are trying to make sure that we stay in the moment, stay focused on the task at hand.

I think obviously we know that we're talented and we have a really good group of older guys around us who are going to lead us the right direction. Also being in the moment right now, soaking everything in, just being a part of this experience with the right guys, just trying to have fun.