Draymond backs teammate Poole for Most Improved Player

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green insists teammate Jordan Poole is deserving of this season's Most Improved Player award despite many considering Ja Morant as the front-runner for the honor.

Green has other ideas in mind for the Memphis Grizzlies guard.

"The award is called the most improved. Not who had the best year - that's the MVP," Green told reporters after Saturday's 100-94 win over the San Antonio Spurs, according to ESPN's Kendra Andrews. "A lot of times we get it confused. No disrespect to Ja Morant, but Ja is an MVP candidate.

"Ja Morant isn't the Most Improved Player. He was f------ incredible last year. When you look around, the most improvement has been Jordan Poole and that goes without saying. He is the most improved."

Poole has started in 50 of his 75 appearances this season with Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry sidelined due to injuries. The third-year guard is averaging career highs in points (18.4), 3-point percentage (36.3%), and rebounds (3.4). His 92.4% clip at the charity stripe leads all players.

Green has been especially impressed with Poole's growth as a facilitator. The 2019 first-round pick is averaging a personal-best four dimes - more than double the amount from a year ago - and has increased his assist percentage by nearly 5%, according to Cleaning the Glass. Poole has 26 games of five assists or more, including a career-high 11 last Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I've always thought his playmaking was an underutilized skill, and this year he's been able to do more," Green said. "Earlier on they wanted him to be a spot-up shooter, and he's not that. He can make shots, of course, but he's not a spot-up shooter. He's a player."