From hitting a game-winner as a Michigan Wolverine in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, to being drafted 28th overall by the Golden State Warriors, to winning his first ever NBA championship in just his 3rd season, Jordan Poole had been having an ascension like something out of a dream. But then the business side of the NBA veered its ugly head right in his face.
In 2023, Jordan Poole was traded to the team in basketball purgatory, known as the Washington Wizards. While on the surface it seemed like a punch in the stomach for the recent champion, it may have actually been a blessing in disguise for the young combo guard.
While on the Warriors, Poole drew comparisons to that of his superstar teammate Stephen Curry. His flair, his style of play (which included his long range arsenal), and his craftiness with the ball in his hands was very similar to the 4-time champion when he was coming up in the league.
However, many speculated that Poole would fall deep into the depths of Curry's shadow and not really ever reach his full potential because his game was almost a mirror image of Curry's.
Speaking of potential, Poole looked and played like he would eventually take the reigns of Golden State as soon as Curry road off into the sunset. But suddenly, he found himself on a team that had not made the conference finals since the 1978-79 season.
Instead of complaining, Poole showed an incredible amount of maturity for a young player. He took the trade like the true champion he is and embraced the new challenge and opportunity.
Let's break down how and why Wizards Jordan Poole has the potential to be the best version we see of him during his career. Call me crazy, but it could happen even without another championship. Having said that, as a Wizards fan, there is nothing I would want more than to see us hoist the Larry O'Brian trophy. Jordan Poole will have to be a big part of that if it's gonna happen.
Call me insane, but Steph Curry's early years of struggle with the Warriors remind me a lot of what Jordan Poole is going through currently with the Wizards. The Wizards may be bad now, but they have the makings and assets of what one day can be a perennial playoff team.
Poole could be the centerpiece of that, just like Curry was for Golden State's rebuilding period before they went on to become the dynasty we know and love today. I know it seems out of reach, yet the collection of young talent the Wizards have acquired over the last couple years may just be a little development away from being relevant in the Eastern Conference again.
Jordan Poole is a the center of that. Take what happened with the Detroit Pistons from last year to now as proof that it's not impossible.
To break down why "Wizards Poole" may be his best version, we need to take a look at the technical side of things. Jordan Poole's game really broke out when he left Golden State. Yes, he was an amazing talent on the Warriors, but he really came out of his shell in Washington.
The specific plays I have seen from him during the current 2024-25 regular season that have really proven to me he has reached star status are the following.
1. This one came right out of the Steph Curry manual of trick shots
In a road game against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Poole drove towards the basket before executing a well-timed spin and then a pivot. The ball suddenly got knocked out of his hands, but he was able to win it back right away. Poole then proceeded to shoot an awkward off-balance long 2-point shot from the right corner off of one leg and drains it.
This type of play and shot is very normalized in the arsenal of Steph. His and Poole's ability to make something out of nothing and make second effort plays help their respective teams to score when the shot clock is running down has been a huge part of their lore.
2. Jordan Poole has stepped out of Curry's shadow as a 3-point shooter
One play that really resembled he has learned from Curry and has added his own flair was during a road game against Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks.
Poole crossed half court and immediately swung the ball to big man Jonas Valanciunas (who has since been traded to the Sacramento Kings). Poole then made a quick fake towards the top of the key before sprinting back towards 30-foot range, got the ball back, and launched a deep 3 and drained it.
His creativity with his off the ball movement leading to a deep ball has shown his heightened level of maturity and self-awareness to be ready for his teammates at all times.
3. Jordan Poole's playmaking ability has also improved
Because the offense is usually ran through Poole as opposed to his backup role to Steph Curry in Golden State. For example, in a home game against Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons, Poole ran the classic pick and role sequence as textbook as it could have been.
He took the ball down, ran around the screen from Kyshawn George, George rolled to the basket, and Poole whipped the ball down low to him for the tough contested finish at the rim over the outstretched hands of Pistons center Isaiah Stewart.
Jordan Poole knows he can score the rock whenever he wants, but if the Wizards are gonna improve as a complete unit, he's gonna need contributions from everyone.
4. Poole's defensive improvement is a huge step
Jordan Poole has evolved into a slightly more polished defender than his former teammate in Golden State and it has added another layer of depth and potential to Washington's slowly developing identity.
For example, in an away game vs former league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, Poole found himself in a situation where he was in the Greek Freak's path to the restricted area, his home territory.
When he realized Giannis wasn't looking to score, he noticed former Wizard Delon Wright standing in the paint, awaiting the ball, appearing to be wide open. Poole left Giannis on an island and sprinted back to guard Wright and blocked his layup attempt before Wright even knew he was in the vicinity.
5. Jordan Poole's fearlessness resembles Curry
Jordan Poole, like Curry, isn't afraid to attack opposing bigs and make them look foolish. We all remember the "Oh poor Ilyasova" cross over by Steph, a handful of years ago. Poole was able to have a moment like that of his own this season.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen was unfortunately switched onto the Poole Party in an isolation situation. Poole sized him up for a couple seconds before stepping back, pump-faking, and launching a 30-footer over the big man's hands, making the shot no problem.
We've seen Curry do this a million times before, and Jordan Poole will have plenty more opportunities to embarrass centers throughout the rest of his career.
Jordan Poole has really evolved into a true combo guard who's offensive skillset is capable of carrying any team in the league on any given night.
The Washington Wizards desperately needed a spark from the guard position following the departure of Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns in 2023. Jordan Poole was given the keys to a franchise that was the polar opposite of the one he had been drafted into in 2019.
The reason why I think Poole has been so affective as the leader of the Wizards isn't just because he played with Steph Curry, but because of the things he was able to learn within the Golden State system as a whole.
Coach Steve Kerr knew exactly the type of player Poole was and could be because he had seen it all before in a young Curry. I am not saying Poole will be better than Curry, but because he is so similar to him, Kerr knew to put him in positions where he could be successful in the same ways he did for Steph when he was coming up.
Even the players around him in Golden State, more specifically Draymond Green and former Warrior Klay Thompson inflicted positive traits onto Poole that he continues to exploit in DC. For example, the whole "altercation situation" in practice between Jordan Poole and Draymond Green was seen as toxic on the surface, yet in a way was a blessing for both, but especially for Jordan Poole.
This was because it made him realize that inter-team turmoil can make players understand each other better and therefore be able to create bonds because of it, which can prove crucial for building trust.
Jordan Poole's ability to galvanize the troops and lead with conviction has made waves, even as the Wizards went through their not one, but two different 16-loss streaks. His teammates trust his leadership and his championship experience to keep their spirits high, even through tough losing stretches where morale had every reason to be low.
Watching the games on TV, I'd see the Wizards players still having a good time out there, and while it hasn't always been sunshine and rainbows in Washington, Jordan Poole's style of play and his eccentric nature allow for the team to follow suit.
The challenge of bringing the Washington Wizards back to contention in the Eastern conference and the NBA in general will not be easy, yet if anyone has the ability to drag this team out of the mud, it's Jordan Poole.