In perhaps the greatest second-round matchup of All-Time, expectations were high coming into Game 1 between the Warriors and Lakers. While winning the first of at least four games will not decide the series, it will certainly give a huge advantage to the winner.
Tonight, it ended up being the Lakers who won the game despite a late-game run from the Warriors. And while Anthony Davis’ dominance was obviously a key factor, fans couldn’t help but feel some level of frustration with Jordan Poole, who took an ill-advised shot in the closing moment of the game.
Jordan Poole. 😅
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 3, 2023
To Poole’s credit, he made a couple of tough baskets in the first half, including a wild 4-point play that almost looked accidental. With 21 points off the bench, Poole was also the team’s only non-starter contributor outside of JaMychal Green, who made two threes in the game.
Still, it wasn’t a smart move from Jordan, who could have passed it back out to Steph or Klay for a better shot. Predictably, fans were pretty pissed at Poole after the play and he was rightfully flamed on Twitter for poor decision-making.
Jordan Poole thought he was him ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ pic.twitter.com/nWLrgZvHFq
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) May 3, 2023
No he didnt shoot that
— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) May 3, 2023
Inside of Jordan Poole brain
pic.twitter.com/jO8WCXIqnW
— Le5-6 (@deepyy_) May 3, 2023
Unfortunately, the Warriors have to live with Poole’s mistakes if they want a chance in the series. Even though he may have cost them Game 1, his shooting and shot-making ability will be necessary for the Warriors to keep up with this deep and complete Lakers team.
Tonight, however, that fact did nothing to stop the onslaught of hate.
Jordan Poole: the walking, breathing Monopoly Chance Card. Straight to GO collect $200, or straight to jail. No in-between.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 3, 2023
Jordan Poole showing up to Game 2 like. pic.twitter.com/HCs4ZuFk2b
— JW (@JWepp) May 3, 2023
Entire Warriors fanbase watching Jordan Poole take that 30 footer… pic.twitter.com/QPDHmLm4e9
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) May 3, 2023
As fun as it may be to gang up on Poole, he’s not the sole reason Golden State lost the game. With 30 points and 23 rebounds, the Dubs had absolutely no answer for Anthony Davis, and he pretty much single-handedly carried the Lakers to victory.
Can Warriors Still Win This Series?
Anthony Davis is exposing the Warriors’ lack of size to a whole new degree and their physicality allowed the entire team to get whatever they wanted offensively. For the Warriors to take Game 2, they must adjust by bringing the double early on Davis and stop him from getting too hot early on.
It’s obviously easier said than done to executive any kind of gameplan against Davis, but as 4x champions, something tells me that they are more than capable of containing him to some degree.
They’ll get their chance to respond on Tuesday, back in Chase Center for Game 2.
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