The Athletic’s Annual NBA Player Poll Reveals League’s Most Overrated Player
The Athletic’s Annual NBA Player Poll Reveals Surprising Results
The annual anonymous NBA player poll conducted by Sam Amick and Josh Robbins of The Athletic has once again provided fans with a unique insight into the opinions of players across the league. This year’s poll, which included responses from 142 players, covered a range of topics from award races to the greatest of all time debate.
One of the most intriguing questions posed to the players was about the league’s most overrated talent. Last year’s recipient of this title, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, fell to third place in the 2024 results. The two players who received a higher percentage of votes this time around were Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Jordan Poole of the Washington Wizards.
Poole, the 24-year-old guard for the Wizards, collected 8.6 percent of the votes cast, making him the second-most overrated player in the eyes of his peers. Poole’s reputation soared after his impressive performance in the playoffs while playing behind Stephen Curry for the Golden State Warriors. This led to a lucrative four-year contract extension worth $128 million with the Wizards.
However, Poole’s transition to Washington was not without its challenges. Under coach Wes Unseld Jr., Poole struggled to find his rhythm in the team’s offensive scheme. It wasn’t until interim head coach Brian Keefe made adjustments to Poole’s role that the young guard began to shine.
In his return to the starting lineup, Poole showcased his potential, averaging 21.2 points and 7.1 assists per game in the final four weeks of the season. Despite the initial struggles, Poole’s growth and improvement on the court are evident, indicating that he is on the right path to fulfilling the expectations set by his hefty contract.
While Poole may have been labeled as overrated by his peers in this year’s poll, his recent performance suggests that he is a player to watch in the upcoming seasons. As he continues to develop and adapt to his role with the Wizards, Poole has the potential to prove his critics wrong and establish himself as a valuable asset in the league.