The shift from playing a supporting role behind the likes of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson on the Warriors to becoming a central figure for the Wizards has proven to be a challenging adjustment for Jordan Poole.
Despite high expectations for the 24-year-old shooting guard in Washington, his performance has yet to reach the level he displayed during his time at Golden State.
Teammate Kyle Kuzma offered insights into Poole’s challenges, acknowledging the difficulties of transitioning from a tertiary or quaternary option to a more prominent role.
Kuzma, drawing from his own experiences, emphasized the substantial responsibility that comes with being a focal point and the need to balance individual performance with facilitating teammates.
“It’s tough when you’re coming from being a third or fourth option. I can speak on this because I’ve done it,” shared Kuzma, as reported by Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network.
“You’re coming into a new situation and where you’re more of a focal point, it’s tough sometimes. That’s a lot of responsibility. You have to be able to obviously produce at a high level, but get your teammates involved, too.”
Despite the challenges, Poole is striving to find his rhythm in Washington, currently averaging 17.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 29.8 minutes per game this season.
