To this point, the Jordan Poole experience has been disappointing for the Washington Wizards. The Wizards are off to a 2-7 start entering Monday’s game against the Toronto Raptors. Poole has been more of a sideshow free from the grips of the Golden State Warriors.
During Sunday’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets, Poole once again displayed unacceptable behavior, at least what would not be acceptable for the Warriors.
Poole appeared unhappy about getting looked off on a previous Wizards’ possession. Washington’s head coach, Wes Unseld Jr., was ready to draw up the play during a timeout. However, Poole was busy seething and displaying his displeasure.
Multiple people on the Wizards bench tried to get Poole to pay attention to Unseld, including the assistant coach and veteran teammate Landry Shamet. Still frustrated, Poole appeared to utter, “This is my team… I got this.”
Eventually, he got it out of his system and turned to see the play, except Unseld was finished talking. As the team broke from the timeout, Poole looked back, trying to get a peak at the play he just missed.
The Warriors look vindicated for trading Jordan Poole
Poole’s issues with the Warriors over time got exposed last season during a heated confrontation with then-teammate Draymond Green during a preseason practice. The incident resulted in Green punching out Poole.
Despite the altercation, Poole scored a career-high 20.4 points last season. However, the tension between Green and Poole became too much to bear. Ultimately, the dissension led to the Warriors’ NBA title defense ending with a second-round playoff exit.
Golden State traded Poole to the Wizards this past summer in a package that included future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul.
While the Warriors are still figuring out how to play with Paul, the Wizards have been a disaster with Poole.
He averages 16.4 points on 41.7 percent shooting from the field and 30.0 percent from three. He’s scored 14 points or less in five of nine games.
So far, the Warriors looked vindicated for shipping Poole off to Washington. Meanwhile, the joke appears to be on the Wizards for believing they acquired a franchise-caliber player.`
