We were expecting Jordan Poole to be a little bit like some stars in the entertainment industry, music groups, or sports figures. 

His strong first-round playoff performance would elevate his NBA status. He made you forget those beliefs in his debut in the Western Conference Semifinals.

He’s a player who believes he’s a superstar, and he acts like one…. So, he might be a big star.

Poole entered the second round with the same personality and offensive versatility that helped the Golden State Warriors steal Game 1 from the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. Something that, by all accounts, was sure to happen, according to all the prophecies.

It also happened in the epic series between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics, with the champion depending on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s ever-impressive play.

MVP mode

The Splash Brothers are no longer simply two. The Warriors’ biggest threat was the combo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. They were a constant danger from the perimeter, and they were well-versed in all aspects of the postseason… What we didn’t know is that whoever takes on the Bay Area group will have to deal with Jordan Poole, a third threat.

For the past six playoff games, the 22-year-old has been in MVP mode. With numerous critical three-pointers and some outstanding daring in front of the basket, he had to unblock Steve Kerr’s team against Memphis. His hand doesn’t tremble, he doesn’t shrink in front of stronger opponents, and he’s already averaging 22.7 points and six assists per game.

Back in sync: Ja Morant

The Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant’s performance against the Warriors exemplifies his greatness. With plays reminiscent of Derrick Rose in his prime, he finished with 34 points and 10 assists. He’s an important part of a Memphis team that played admirably and was only defeated when Golden State unleashed their full armament from the outside.

Game 2 will be a crucial match. It’s critical to get to 1-1 in San Francisco, because else, a 4-0 sweep could be a distinct possibility. In front of their home fans, the Warriors are virtually unbeatable, and even more so now since they are 0-2. It would take a miracle for them to survive.

The Celtics’ shooting woes

The first game of the second-round series between Boston and Milwaukee revealed that neither team is particularly strong or favored. A shocking rout of the Brooklyn Nets will not be replicated against the defending champs. Only 13 of 41 shots were made by Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Marcus Smart combined. A preposterous figure for winning a game, and one that, presumably, did not bode well for Boston’s chances at home.

The Celtics played well on defense, but they couldn’t break through on offense against a much more convincing Bucks team than they faced in their opener against the Chicago Bulls.

What if Milwaukee leads?

The Bucks’ outstanding performance at TD Garden, like the Warriors’ in the West, must be commended. In the first half, they were able to completely neutralize Boston’s offensive, and in the second, they had a decisive Giannis Antetokounmpo. A presentation about their campaign to keep the title.

Golden State and Boston were apparent front-runners after the first round, but Milwaukee deserves to be taken seriously. They didn’t have any problems against the Chicago Bulls, and they showed against Boston that they can defend far better than the Brooklyn Nets.

Image Credit: Getty

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