Wizards Jordan Poole in 'Most Scrutinized' Player Acknowledgement in NBA Season

As Jordan Poole gets his new start going with the Washington Wizards a December contest against the Golden State Warriors and Draymond Green will be must-see-tv for NBA fans everywhere.

Author:
David Harrison
Aug 19, 2023 3:33 PM EDT

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Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards have gone through quite a shakeup ahead of the 2023-24 NBA Season with changes coming on the court and above it.

One of the major moves made to the Wizards roster is the departure of players like Bradley Beal and Chris Paul - who never actually arrived but was technically part of the team for a blink - and the arrival of new budding stars like guard Jordan Poole.

Poole's arrival sparked a lot of conversation specifically, and will surely produce more once he gets on the court.

But it's the storyline surrounding Poole that's waiting for him and his Washington teammates shortly before Christmas that has NBA.com Shaun Powell's attention.

"There will be heavy suspense and a hushed crowd at Chase Center when the teams walk onto the court for the pre-game handshake," Powell says about the December 22nd matchup between the Wizards and Golden State Warriors. "How will the interaction go between Draymond Green and Jordan Poole...Inquiring minds want to know."

Of course, the reason this interaction will be so closely watched is because of the history between the two players dating back to October of 2022 when *Green connected on a punch to Poole's jaw.

"This game, the first between Poole and his former 'mates, will be the most scrutinized player-to-player acknowledgment in recent NBA history," Powell continued.

Given the history between the two and the tendency for teammates to back up players on their side of any rivalry, the pre-game interaction has a real likelihood of impacting what happens in regulation.

And every point, play, and foul from there on out is going to have the potential to light a powder keg of tension.

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_{*We won't rehash all the details here, but this link will take you to an article by The Ringer that does.}