Jordan Poole has received criticism from NBA enthusiasts for his lackluster performance in his first season with the Washington Wizards after his controversial switch from the Golden State Warriors. Yet, the franchise’s general manager, Will Dawkins, has expressed faith in him and rooted for his leadership in the upcoming season.
Defending the Wizards guard in a discussion on the “Run It Back” podcast, Dawkins said, “I know he didn’t start the year the way that he wanted to but he’s still young, he’s still developing, and the way he finished the year is what we’re expecting moving forward…For where our team is, Jordan was a leader for us and he’s going to continue to be that.”
The topic stemmed from discussing the decision to go ahead with Poole instead of adding veteran guard Chris Paul to the roster. The Washington franchise believed investing in a younger player was wiser than acquiring the 39-year-old.
However, the decision heavily cost the Wizards as they finished in the 14th spot in the Eastern Conference table with a 15-67 record under the leadership of Poole, who couldn’t pull the numbers that were expected of him.
Jordan Poole’s Season in Numbers
When the Washington franchise brought in Jordan Poole as their young leader, they were hoping that he would showcase his wizardry and change the team’s fate. However, reality hit hard when he failed to perform in his new role.
The Michigan graduate stood out with his outstanding sharpshooting skills with the Golden State Warriors. He tried to maintain his 41.3% shooting from the floor and 32.6% from 3-point range in the Wizards, but his points gradually dropped.
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From averaging 20.4 PPG off the bench for the GSW, Poole averaged 17.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game for the Wizards. His average point this regular season fluctuated between 18 and 15, raising serious questions about his potential. Though that rose to 21 in the final two months, it didn’t help the team succeed.
Even after a rough start, Poole has the management in his favor, which could give him the confidence to come back stronger in the following campaign, along with his championship experience.
Also Read: Warriors Rookie Jordan Poole Pulls Up From Half Court To Shoot His Shot With Zendaya (PICS)
