Karl Wants Javale McGee To Be More Like Tim Duncan

[Mamba Venom]

He wants McGee to be really really smart and fundamentally sound!?!

McGee is the opposite of that.

[tsherkin]

Nobody is disputing that this is a good idea, just that McGee produces more mental lapses within a week than Duncan had in his whole career. That is not just a question of McGee not having the fundamental skills of Duncan, he also doesn't possess the mental abilities.

I don't disagree with you, but what's Karl supposed to say? "Javale is an idiot, so we're going to accept the way he plays because he's too stupid to change?"

Seriously, what do you want? He's just saying he'd like Javale to improve, no one even implied that they expected McGee to be anywhere near as GOOD as Duncan.

[Ruckusmh]

In other news, Houston wants Terrence Jones to be more like Karl Malone.

[sfam]

He basically said he just wants him to be less worried about making the spectacular play and just focus on making the solid, fundamental basketball play. For instance, instead of blocking a shot 10 rows into the stands, block the shot in a way that you can retain possession of the ball. Or instead of trying to throw down a highlight reel dunk in traffic, just put the ball in the basket the easiest way possible. Just play solid fundamental basketball, like Duncan does. Not actually play like one of the greatest big men ever(though that would obviously be nice too).

Nothing too ridiculous in what he said, IMO.

Nothing too ridiculous, no. But then again, ask any Wizards fan - coaches have been telling McGee this since he got in the league. I hope the Denver coaches and FO aren't "Shocked, shocked" that McGee just doesn't listen to this line of thinking. His metric is whether he shows up on ESPN highlights at night, not whether his team wins games.

[sfam]

duh. If Duncan had McGee's body he would be a top 5 player of all time. If McGee had Duncan's brain he would be a top 5 player of all time. McGee was able to make it to the NBA without putting in the effort like duncan, because he didn't have to. Signs are the FO is happy with his development. If you were to actually watch the guy you would see his improvement. It's not gradual improvement...

This is silly. I take a young Duncan's athletics over McGee's 10 times out of 10. Comparing Duncan when he's 57 on crutches compared to a 25 year old McGee, you might give it to McGee. But there is nothing, athletics or otherwise that McGee has on Duncan. Duncan is considered the best PF of all time, and most put him in the top 10 of all time. This would not have improved if he was in McGee's body.

As for McGee's defense, he has always shown flashes of brilliance, but there's probably a reason you're paying the guy 45 million for 15-20 mins of BBall a night. Sure, someone kidnap Duncan and just get Dr. Frankenstein to do a transplant and he's well worth the investment. Barring that, McGee won't ever be a top 5 center in any year, let alone a top 5 player of all time.