The Washington Wizards are just coming off a straight 11-game loss, as they face the Golden State Warriors tonight. The Wizards are a team that has had a tragic season. Just a game away from ranking at the very bottom, Washington is 9-48 in the Eastern Conference. And even the arrival of Jordan Poole hadn’t provided the spark they hoped it would provide.

But his former coach, Steve Kerr, believes in Poole. Talking to the press ahead of the game, he said, “He’s one of the main reasons we won the championship … I really want him to reach his potential.”

Kerr further draws attention to the Warriors’ 2022 championship run and how Poole was key to the victory. And it was evident in his stat sheet as well. In his fifth season now, the young guard played his best basketball in the 2022-23 season. He averaged 20.4 points and dished out 4.5 assists per game while shooting 43.0% from the field and attempting 7.8 three-pointers.

Steve also pointed out how well he responded to the team’s needs. During the 2022 season, Jordan stepped up to take his place as a starter and then as a reserve upon Klay Thompson’s return. Not to mention his contribution to the playoffs. No one who watches him now would believe that he was a scoring threat their opponents struggled to contain.

But his time with the Warriors wasn’t easy. It was filled with bittersweet memories. And while Poole might not be too inclined to open up about his struggles, his former high school coach seems to have an idea.

“… that really tore something out of his heart”: Ex-coach on the struggles of Jordan Poole

Talking to Mastrodonato of the Mercury News late last year, Poole’s high-school coach and close friend, Jim Gozc, provided his take on his struggles with the Wizards. “When Jordan left San Francisco, I think that really tore something out of his heart,” he said. When Washington acquired Jordan Poole, it was with the hopes of building a contending team around him.

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The Wizards fans were excited for the ‘Poole Party’ to start in the nation’s capital. Unfortunately, that did not happen. And a major reason, according to Gozc, was The Punch. He said that no one, including his camp, would ever admit that the incident affected him deeper than he cared to show. Poole loved the Warriors, and the Bay Area loved the outspoken guard.

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So, to trade him soon after the Draymond Green altercation seemed to have hit him in all the wrong directions. Not to mention, he was coming to a rebuilding team where he will have to take the lead and be the number one option. With the Dubs, Poole only had to do what he does best and leave the rest to the veterans.

To carry the weight of an entire team and the hope of a franchise on his back is no easy feat. And it will be especially hard if the player is not in the right state of mind. If his former coach is to be believed, then Jordan Poole would be better off taking some time to recuperate.