If every NBA player were awarded a mulligan season in their career, this would be the one Jordan Poole would choose to erase and make sure no one ever spoke of again. Entering the 2023-24 campaign, Poole’s first in Washington, there were high hopes of what could be alongside Kyle Kuzma. We’re just about two-thirds of the way through the season and it’s safe to say things have not gone according to plan.
Poole, a talented young guard who showed promise in his previous stints with the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers, has struggled to find his rhythm in Washington. Whether it’s the pressure of playing in a new city, the expectations that come with being a high draft pick, or simply a case of bad luck, Poole has not been able to replicate the success he had in his earlier years.
The numbers don’t lie. Poole’s shooting percentages are down across the board, his turnovers are up, and his overall impact on the game has been minimal. It’s been a frustrating season for both Poole and the Wizards, who were hoping he could be a key piece in their rebuilding efforts.
But all hope is not lost. Poole is still young and has plenty of time to turn things around. With the right mindset and a renewed focus, he can bounce back from this disappointing season and prove his doubters wrong. It’s not easy to overcome a rough patch, but the great players find a way to rise above adversity and come out stronger on the other side.
In the meantime, Poole can take solace in the fact that he’s not the first player to have a mulligan season, and he certainly won’t be the last. Every NBA player faces challenges and setbacks in their career, but it’s how they respond to those obstacles that ultimately defines them as athletes and as people.
So here’s to Jordan Poole and his mulligan season. May he learn from his struggles, grow from his mistakes, and come back stronger than ever in the seasons to come. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll look back on this season as just a minor blip on an otherwise stellar career. Only time will tell.
