Jordan Poole has not wasted any time making his presence felt in New Orleans.
Through his first two games with the Pelicans, the 25-year-old guard is averaging 19 points per game and ranking third on the team in assists, Sports Illustrated reports. Despite the Pelicans dropping both contests, Poole’s energy and shot-making have already made an impression on fans inside Smoothie King Center.
However, after a recent practice, Poole made waves for a different reason. When asked about the Pelicans’ home crowd, he used the moment to deliver a sharp critique of his former team’s atmosphere in Washington.
Poole Takes Aim at Wizards Fans
Poole spent the last two seasons with the Washington Wizards following his trade from the Golden State Warriors. The former champion arrived in D.C. as part of a deal that sent Chris Paul to the Bay Area, but his tenure with the Wizards quickly lost momentum.
Now in New Orleans, Poole appears rejuvenated, crediting the Pelicans’ engaged fanbase for bringing back the spark he missed.
“I went back and I told all my people, like, it feels so good to be in an environment where the fans are engaged, and you can feel the electricity in there, Yahoo reports. You can feel the fans chanting,” Poole said, via Legion Hoops. “Like, the last two years? Dead in there. It was dead in Capital One.”
Poole’s blunt honesty is sure to sting Wizards fans who watched him play in Washington during two of the team’s most forgettable seasons. But statistically, his frustration seems justified.
The Wizards ranked near the bottom of the NBA in attendance last season, drawing an average of just 16,084 fans per game. Their total home attendance of 643,363 was among the league’s lowest, despite Capital One Arena boasting the third-largest capacity in the NBA at more than 20,000 seats.
Combined with the Wizards’ 33-131 record over Poole’s two seasons, it paints a bleak picture of a franchise struggling to inspire its own base.
Couldn’t Get A Screen
For Poole, the problem went beyond quiet crowds. The guard has also alluded to issues with on-court chemistry and team construction during his time in Washington.
When discussing his reunion with former Warriors teammate Kevon Looney, Poole joked that he was thrilled to once again have a dependable screen-setter. The remark came with a sting, as he noted he hadn’t had a decent screen in two years, the same amount of time he spent with the Wizards.
It is clear that Poole feels reinvigorated in New Orleans. Surrounded by young talent like Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy, along with a fanbase that has welcomed him with open arms, Poole appears ready to move forward.
Still, his comments about his former team struck a chord. The Wizards have long struggled with fan engagement, and hearing a former player describe the home arena as “dead” only underscores the challenges facing the franchise both on and off the court.
Turning the Page
For the Pelicans, Jordan Poole’s fresh start offers a chance for both sides to benefit. The guard provides instant offense and a championship pedigree, while the organization gives him a setting that embraces his flair and confidence.
Poole’s departure from Washington may have been quiet, but his words since have been anything but. As he continues to settle into his new role, his candid reflections are a reminder that environment matters, and that sometimes, change is exactly what a player needs to rediscover his edge.
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