After his dramatic exit from the Warriors this past summer, Jordan Poole was scrutinized from almost every corner of the internet. Even now, as the haters and doubters line up to express their feelings, Poole isn’t losing faith in his abilities. In fact, as he told The Ringer’s Logan Murdock, he believes his legacy is already set.
“Playing the game I love at the highest level, my family is taken care of, my basketball legacy is taken care of with the ring,” Poole said. “This is probably the first time in my life I’ll play basketball with no pressure. So that’s kind of how you look at it. But it’s a really good opportunity. It’s a cool opportunity, dope opportunity.”
Poole wasn’t just along for the ride in the 2022 Finals run. In those 22 games, Jordan was a major part of the offense with a stat line of 17.0 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game. Despite some of his limitations on the court, Poole was a beast with the Warriors and it’s why they signed him to a four-year, $140 million extension just weeks after celebrating the title. Love him or hate him, you cannot take away his efforts in Golden State and what he was able to achieve alongside the best players in the world.
What Went Wrong With The Warriors?
Initially, Jordan Poole was meant to be the future of the Warriors. But even with Steph, Klay, and Draymond nearing their twilight years, they still control everything that happens within the organization. Sadly, for Poole, that meant there was virtually no hope for redemption when he got on the bad side of Draymond Green. In a now-infamous scene that was caught on video, Draymond punched Poole squarely in the face and it caused irreparable damage to their relationship.
Throughout the season, this rift in the locker room was revealed with awkward chemistry on the court and it held them back in many ways from achieving their peak potential. So with Poole’s numbers slipping and his defense taking a turn for the worst, GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. felt he had no choice but to move on and try his luck with someone else.
A Fresh Start In Washington
In the aftermath of such a dramatic exit, the fanbase is still split on what the future looks like for the 1x champion. At just 24 years old, Poole still has a lot to learn about the game and how to lead, but all the tools are there for him to prove the doubters wrong. With an excellent shooting stroke and an elite handle on the ball, Jordan brings a nice offensive punch to a Wizards team that desperately needed it.
And while nobody is expecting the Wizards to compete for the championship this season, they might have a few surprises in store if Poole and Kyle Kuzma can stay healthy and develop their game together. At the very least, this season will be a good starting point for Poole to rebuild his image in the wake of a nasty divorce.
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