Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole is looking strong to start the season. The Wizards are currently 0-2 after having lost to the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers to tip-off the 2024-2025 season. However, Poole thus far has shown flashes of improvement compared to last season’s underwhelming campaign.
Wizards’ Jordan Poole Looks Strong to Start the Season
We Might be Seeing Poole Parties This Season
Yes, Poole has already shown glimpses of having potential “Poole Parties” throughout the season.
The 25-year-old guard proved that by having garnered 26 points (team-high), four assists and six threes against the defending NBA champions. Furthermore, Poole shot 52% from the field and 54% from three-point range. In fact, Poole scored 17 of his 26 points in the first quarter!
Poole, who is now the primary ball-handler for Washington, will now have the opportunity to lead a unit that is brimmed with young talent. The Wizards crop of young talent consists of Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George just to name a few. Poole is a veteran at this point in his career and has seasoned playoff experience (2022 title with Warriors).
Wizards head coach Brian Keefe believes strongly that Poole is more than capable with handling the point guard responsibilities. Sure, Poole had a relatively disappointing season last year and one would think why Keefe would give him that responsibility. However, Keefe is known for maximizing players strengths, just ask two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant. Prior to last season, Poole was at best a third option/role player in Golden State, but now, Poole is arguably the premier player for a Wizards team that is rebuilding.
Confidence and faith are what players need from their coaches and Keefe understands that with a young player in a completely different culture than what Golden State was.
Poole is Already Leading the NBA in an Interesting Category
Poole isn’t exactly known as a premier defender, but he currently leads the NBA in steals per game. The Wizards guard currently averages 3.5 steals per game, which is tied with Atlanta guard Dyson Daniels, respectively.
Poole seems more energized and focused thus far compared to last season. After all, defense is mostly effort, and that is what Poole seemed to lack last season for the Wizards.
Furthermore, Poole ranks fourth in the league in threes made per game (five), so it is fair to say Poole is having a strong start to the season overall.
The Last Word on Wizards’ Jordan Poole Looks Strong to Start the Season
Yes, the Wizards have only played two games thus far and it’s too soon start making declarations. However, two games is a decent sample size and Poole is playing inspirited basketball compared to the uninspired player Wizards fans saw last season.
Across two games, Poole is averaging 20 points, 5 assists and 3.5 steals while shooting 50% from the field and 55.6% from beyond the arc. Also, add in the fact that he looks poised and energized while on the court.
Even though the Wizards haven’t won a game yet, Washington’s arguable best player is rising up to the occasion in his new role, and that is a win in and of itself.
