Wizards recruit Jordan Poole is going through one of the worst starts to his career and his teammate Kyle Kuzma has detailed why he thinks Poole might be struggling so much.
Poole is only averaging 16.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists on 28.4 percent shooting from the field.
But the young star managed to get his first 30-point game of the season in the Wizards’ 142-129 loss to the Bucks on Monday.
Since Poole left Golden State teammates Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, he hasn’t quite been the same on the court, and Kuzma explained why he thinks that is.
“Everybody is behind him and knows he’ll get out of it,” Kuzma said on Monday after he was asked about Poole in the postgame press conference. “He’s a worker, he loves basketball, very passionate. It’s tough. When you’re coming from being a third or fourth option, I can speak on this because I’ve done it, and you’re coming into a new situation where you’re more of a focal point.
“It’s tough sometimes because it’s a lot of responsibility. You have to be able to produce at a high level but get your teammates involved, too. I think sometimes he just overthinks himself a little bit. And kind of messes him up a little bit. I think today was a great step in the right direction for him.”
Poole certainly benefitted from the spacing and defense his old Warriors teammates provided, but he may have to start upping his averages with the Wizards before the trade rumors intensify.
Long-time NBA insider Marc Stein has already said that Washington may well be trying to build up Poole’s trade value before moving him on.
Watch this space.
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