Jordan Poole has already become a target for criticism in his first season with the Wizards, writes Ava Wallace of The Washington Post. Beyond his penchant for questionable shots and high-risk plays, controversy erupted this week via a video clip from Sunday’s loss at Brooklyn. Poole appears uninterested in the play that coach Wes Unseld Jr. is designing, Wallace notes, focusing his attention elsewhere until a teammate taps him on the shoulder.
Speaking with reporters Wednesday, Unseld said he hasn’t watched the video and isn’t concerned about Poole’s level of commitment.
“There’s a thousand moments, I think, during the game, and there are times where coaches are talking to players, players are talking to players,” Unseld said. “That happens. I think right now for him, he’s probably under a little bit of a microscope. People are looking for things. So I don’t know the exact sequence of the events, but it’s not a big deal until it becomes a big deal.”
Poole became a leader for a rebuilding Washington franchise when he was acquired in a trade with Golden State this summer. It’s not a role that he’s used to after entering the league with a veteran Warriors team, and Unseld said that has resulted in extra attention from fans who are monitoring his behavior.
Poole also dismissed concerns about the video, saying he understood the play from Unseld and it was “a very normal timeout.”
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- The Hornets released a statement (via Twitter), indicating that Miles Bridges will return to action Friday after serving a 10-game suspension regarding his domestic violence case. “We are comfortable with Miles returning to play based on our current understanding of the facts of the recent allegations and remain in contact with the NBA as that matter proceeds through the court process,” the statement reads.
- Bridges’ return will be welcome for a Hornets roster that has been depleted by injuries, notes Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer. The team only had 10 available players for Tuesday’s game as Gordon Hayward, Brandon Miller, Terry Rozier, Cody Martin and Frank Ntilikina were all sidelined. “He’s going to be great,” P.J. Washington said of Bridges. “I just can’t wait for ya’ll to see him. I know he’s excited to play and we are excited to play with him. So, I’m just happy for him to be back on the floor and I can’t wait for him to come out there and help us, because we need it for sure.”
- Magic power forward Jonathan Isaac was able to play both games of a back-to-back this week for the first time since December of 2019, per Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel. Isaac is finally healthy after missing more than two years with leg injuries. “The guys have so much confidence in him,” coach Jamahl Mosley said. “Him being at that rim, whether it’s blocking the shot or just changing and alternating shots — it’s what he’s capable of doing.”