Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole was heavily criticized for missing a deep, game-tying 3-pointer against the Lakers.
Fans could tell from Stephen Curry’s reaction just how bad the shot selection was from Poole. Poole finished with 21 points (7-15 FG, 6-11 3P) during the contest, but this miss allowed Los Angeles to secure a 1-0 series lead against Golden State.
Although many feel the shot was inexcusable, one person who didn’t mind the look was Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. The NBA All-Star was broadcasting the game on an alternate stream alongside former NBA big man Channing Frye and Turner’s Taylor Rooks.
.@TyHaliburton22: “I’m not mad at that shot… I would have shot that too” @channingfrye: “That’s why you’re here with us" 🤣
The #NBATwitterLive crew reacts to Jordan Poole's missed 3-pointer at end of Lakers-Warriors Game 1 pic.twitter.com/KM2rxEnK0x
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 3, 2023
“What was wrong with that shot? … What did you want him to do? Take a dribble? … What if you’re not going to get a better shot than that? … No contest … You don’t like that shot? … I’m not mad … I’m not mad at that shot. He’s wide open … I’m shooting it. I’m shooting it if I’m Jordan. So I feel you, Jordan. I would have shot that, too.”
Haliburton assured Frye and Rooks that he plans to shoot that shot in a playoff game next season.
For what it is worth: The shot was 28 feet away from the basket, which is not out of the ordinary for Poole. He has now taken 161 shots from at least 28 feet in 2022-23, via Stathead, which trailed only Damian Lillard and Stephen Curry for the most in the NBA.
In fact, per PBPStats, Poole’s average 3-pointer was attempted from 27.1 feet.
| NAME | AVG. 3PA DISTANCE (ft) | 3PA |
| Damian Lillard | 27.67 | 658 |
| Trae Young | 27.38 | 460 |
| Stephen Curry | 27.21 | 639 |
| Jordan Poole | 27.10 | 637 |
| Luka Doncic | 26.97 | 541 |
| Tyrese Haliburton | 26.97 | 402 |
| Fred VanVleet | 26.75 | 606 |
| Donovan Mitchell | 26.58 | 635 |
| Darius Garland | 26.57 | 412 |
However, there is a reason why Haliburton defended the attempt. The Pacers guard also didn’t mind shooting from very deep, averaging 26.9 feet on his 3-pointers.
Among the 50 players who took at least 400 shots from beyond the arc this season, Poole’s 3-point shot distance ranked fourth-farthest and Haliburton’s ranked sixth-farthest.
Whether or not you agree with Haliburton, his insights are tremendously valuable. For The Win recently asked JJ Redick which NBA players would make the best broadcasters, and Redick mentioned Haliburton:
“Current players: I think Tyrese Haliburton and Mikal Bridges — I know we have them on the pod a lot and there is a reason for that. The maturity, the depth, the insight, the thoughtfulness, the basketball genius — they fit all that and they’re young guys and they’re charismatic. Of any of the young guys we’ve interviewed on the show, they fit the bill. Those two guys, if they wanted to when they’re done, they could crush it in the media space.”
Even if you think he was wrong and Poole shouldn’t have taken that shot, it was wonderful to hear Haliburton’s perspective on this.
