NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. WARRIORS

June 16, 2022

Jordan Poole

Golden State Warriors

Game 6: Postgame

Golden State Warriors 103, Boston Celtics 90

Q. Just what does this moment mean to you, being an NBA champion?

JORDAN POOLE: This is the reason we play basketball, you know, to change our family's lives and win at the highest level, and it's truly remarkable to be with such a special group of guys and win a championship.

Q. We've heard from a lot of you guys about how it took everybody to make this happen. You had those three three-pointers during that 21-0 run, and five of you all scored during that run. How much does that run early in the game dictate some of that?

JORDAN POOLE: You said 21-0? Just being able to go on a 21-0 run in general is tough but doing it on the road in a close-out game is extremely special. That just shows you how locked in our guys were. We came here with a mission. Guys were focused and guys were locked in and we know how important to win tonight was. Everybody stepped up in the moment. Everybody stepped up to the challenge, and it paid off.

Q. What's newly minted NBA champion Jordan Poole's next 24 hours going to look like?

JORDAN POOLE: I'll probably just reflect a little bit, chill, get some rest. Because it's all summer, Poole Party is all summer.

Q. I want to ask you about your relationship with Klay. When he was coming back, a lot of people on the outside are wondering, what would happen with you. It's clear how much he means to you, and I want to kind of ask you, if you could expand on that a little bit.

JORDAN POOLE: Yeah, I mean, with him going down earlier on this year, just being able to step into that role, show what I'm capable of, and you know, essentially hold it down until he comes back. We went on an 18-2 start, and I think that just showed how talented we are. He's taught me so much.

He's taken me under his wing and from workouts together, to text to talks and conversations in the locker room and calls, it was really special to see somebody who is as closed off kind of like to himself. He's his own person, and for him to embrace me at such a young age and kind of take me under his wing, teach me his tricks and show me his blueprint is really special, and I'm glad to be part of that.

Q. What do you think has made this team so special, special as winning a championship, considering all you guys have been through?

JORDAN POOLE: Everybody on this team is selfless, from the top all the way down the food chain. The humility that guys have, we want to see everybody be successful. We want to win games. And being able just to have that with as talented of a team that we have is rare.

We go out there and we fight and we play for each other night-in and night-out all season. It just shows how connected and how together we are. It makes it easy to go out there and play with guys that you really enjoy talking to, not only as basketball players but as people, and I'm glad that we were able to get it done with this really, really, really special group.

Q. Reflecting on your career to this point, spending time on the G League at the beginning of your career, and now being an integral part of a championship team, did you think you would be here at the beginning of your career, and how surreal is this moment?

JORDAN POOLE: I wouldn't say I was down there often [G League] but it was very pivotal to learn and to kind of get that experience of what it was like being a guy and how you can impact a game and help your team win.

But you know, I always knew that I'd be able to play at the highest level and win. It was just a matter of when and being able to do it with these guys who have been here, who are extremely experienced. It's just truly remarkable, special.

People tried to write us off a couple years ago and say the dynasty was over and people tried to write me off personally, but if you believe in yourself -- to anybody listening: if your back is against the wall and you believe in yourself and you think it's possible, stick to it no matter what, no matter the noise, don't let anybody ever tell you that you can't. As cliché as it sounds, it's a fact.

Q. We're not going to get a chance to talk to Jonathan or Moses tonight, but the young guys, winning championships for the first time just like you, just like from what you've seen from them in the locker room and how you've been interacting with them over the last however minutes y'all are back there, how are they taking this in?

JORDAN POOLE: They are excited. These guys are able to get a ring in their first year, like the hardest accolade accomplishment there is to get, they got it in their first year and they played a huge role.

Moses came in and he made big plays in the playoffs. JK made big plays in the playoffs and in the season. That's what I mean, people were ready to step up. We have guys who want to take that moment.

I'm going to throw myself in the group with the young guys right now, this is just the beginning. We're extremely hungry, and now we got a taste of what this is like at a really early age, and really early in our career. I'm excited for them, and they are enjoying it all. Yeah, I don't know what else to say [laughing].