The Javale McGee Appreciation Thread

[Zonkerbl]

Look, you want to make a statement? An angry tomahawk slam makes a statement. It says I'm serious about this game and I'm not going to make it any harder than it has to be, because I respect my teammates.

Hopefully that was a good learning experience for him.

[llcc25]

As much as I like their potential, drafting Drummond or Davis, to play alongside McGee is asking for trouble. Neither of those guys have a post game. They're great at off the ball freakish athleticism but they would be a bad fit. Its like having 2 John Walls at both guard positions. Jared Sullinger (Kevin love lite) would be a much better fit alongside McGee. Yes, he lacks the upside of Drummond/Davis, but he will be able to man the PF postion from day 1 from both an offensive and defensive standpoint.

[Benjammin]

Look, you want to make a statement? An angry tomahawk slam makes a statement. It says I'm serious about this game and I'm not going to make it any harder than it has to be, because I respect my teammates.

Hopefully that was a good learning experience for him.

I didn't see it live, but I saw the replay. Nor can I draw upon a vast storehouse of experience of dunking. However, I don't see the big deal in the dunk in and of itself, even with the score. The degree of difficulty was not high for Vale. In fact, I would imagine a one-handed tomahawk dunk would have a higher chance of missing than the dunk he actually did.

[Zonkerbl]

Yeah, I only saw the replay.

Didn't he miss a tomahawk slam from the free throw line once?

[Dat2U]

As much as I like their potential, drafting Drummond or Davis, to play alongside McGee is asking for trouble. Neither of those guys have a post game. They're great at off the ball freakish athleticism but they would be a bad fit. Its like having 2 John Walls at both guard positions. Jared Sullinger (Kevin love lite) would be a much better fit alongside McGee. Yes, he lacks the upside of Drummond/Davis, but he will be able to man the PF postion from day 1 from both an offensive and defensive standpoint.

Fine, then trade McGee for some skill players. But at this point in the rebuild, it would be foolish to take a lesser player because he's a better fit schematically.

[llcc25]

after watching yesterday's game, I'm not completely sold on McGee as many on this board. Yes, he has immense talent. But for every 2 great plays, he makes 2 horrible ones. Not to mention the fact that his defensive positioning is horrible. He's more concerned about making the spectacular block, than playing solid post and help defense. Based on this, I"m not sure I'd be williong to committ long term from the Wiz perspective. I'd rather do it for someone like Greg Monroe. Hey maybe we get #1 pick, and w/trade McGee to Detroit and for Monroe and use their pick for Sullinger...Saves us a lot of money short term. And then we go hard after E. Gordon or Harden and Batum...

Next Year's lineup
Wall
Gordon or harden
Batum
Sullinger
Monroe

[pancakes3]

As much as I like their potential, drafting Drummond or Davis, to play alongside McGee is asking for trouble. Neither of those guys have a post game. They're great at off the ball freakish athleticism but they would be a bad fit. Its like having 2 John Walls at both guard positions. Jared Sullinger (Kevin love lite) would be a much better fit alongside McGee. Yes, he lacks the upside of Drummond/Davis, but he will be able to man the PF postion from day 1 from both an offensive and defensive standpoint.

fact of the matter is even if we did draft sullinger, our offense will still be perimeter based - at the hands of wall and his dribble penetration. i think the more guys who can play off-ball, generate turnovers, and run the break the better. a down low post presence might complement mcgee better but this team is being built around wall and what makes him better.

[TheBigThree]

Look, you want to make a statement? An angry tomahawk slam makes a statement. It says I'm serious about this game and I'm not going to make it any harder than it has to be, because I respect my teammates.

Hopefully that was a good learning experience for him.

Based on his post-game quotes, no, it wasn't a learning experience at all.

A good franchise trades McGee before this season is done before facing the choice of resigning him. It's too bad Seraphin hasn't shown a thing to prompt a move like this.

[Ruzious]

Look, you want to make a statement? An angry tomahawk slam makes a statement. It says I'm serious about this game and I'm not going to make it any harder than it has to be, because I respect my teammates.

Hopefully that was a good learning experience for him.

Based on his post-game quotes, no, it wasn't a learning experience at all.

A good franchise trades McGee before this season is done before facing the choice of resigning him. It's too bad Seraphin hasn't shown a thing to prompt a move like this.

I'm trying to come up with something positive - the good thing about Javale's latest idiocy is that he's really exposed how clueless he is - more from his comments after the game when he said he didn't understand what was wrong with what he did - than his actual idiotic showboat - and this will make teams think at least 3 times before offering him serious money. The same goes for Nick Young for his comments trying to defend Javale. With Nick, we heard zero rumors that anyone wanted him in free agency - and his value has done nothing but decrease since then. Javale and Nick will get some bites, but I think they're both going to be sorely disappointed when they put themselves on the market.

[Higga]

McGee will make money this summer. You can't compare him to Young, guys like Young are all over the league and nowhere near $9 Mil. McGee will command at least $10 Mil per. Big men are always overpaid, although the way McGee has played this year he might have earned it. A double double a game plus ~3 blocks and he's still young and improving. With that said I'd be scared to commit long term to him too with his history of shenanigans.

[Ruzious]

As much as I like their potential, drafting Drummond or Davis, to play alongside McGee is asking for trouble. Neither of those guys have a post game. They're great at off the ball freakish athleticism but they would be a bad fit. Its like having 2 John Walls at both guard positions. Jared Sullinger (Kevin love lite) would be a much better fit alongside McGee. Yes, he lacks the upside of Drummond/Davis, but he will be able to man the PF postion from day 1 from both an offensive and defensive standpoint.

fact of the matter is even if we did draft sullinger, our offense will still be perimeter based - at the hands of wall and his dribble penetration. i think the more guys who can play off-ball, generate turnovers, and run the break the better. a down low post presence might complement mcgee better but this team is being built around wall and what makes him better.

Sullinger would be an outstanding complement to Wall. First of all, no team is going to run successfully in the NBA if they don't get defensive rebounds. Second of all, no team - no matter how fast or athletic they are - can rely on fast breaks for their offense. You NEEEEEEEED guys who can play half court offense - especially when you have a PG like Wall who isn't great in the half court. He would make Wall's job there infinitely easier - especially since he can play inside or outside. And Sullinger averages basically the exact same numbers for blocks and steals as Robinson does. Davis is truly exceptional in being a PF prospect who generates a bunch of blocks and steals.

[nate33]

As much as I like their potential, drafting Drummond or Davis, to play alongside McGee is asking for trouble. Neither of those guys have a post game. They're great at off the ball freakish athleticism but they would be a bad fit. Its like having 2 John Walls at both guard positions. Jared Sullinger (Kevin love lite) would be a much better fit alongside McGee. Yes, he lacks the upside of Drummond/Davis, but he will be able to man the PF postion from day 1 from both an offensive and defensive standpoint.

That's why I advocate the Blatche for Lee trade. We could bring Davis along slowly as a backup C and PF with Mcgee and Lee starting. When Davis's rookie contract expires, Lee's contract will be done.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Regardless of the dunk and the bad attention that it got, I appreciate Javale McGee!

[cdouglas]

Best to enjoy McGee as much as you can now because I seriously don't believe he'll resign with the Wizards. We'll see him at his best in another team's uniform because that's the history of this franchise. Oh yeah, all of those Wizards basher, who tell us that we need to get rid of all of the players on this team except for Wall will be praising McGee's game. I would rather do away with the PG than a big man. You just don't find bigs that have the athleticism of McGee. If McGee had the training from a a proven big man's coach like Howard did w/Ewing and Bynum w/Kareem, I'm sure we would be reaping the same benefits. I would prefer that this team was built around McGee than Wall.

[Brenice]

[quote="llcc25"]after watching yesterday's game, I'm not completely sold on McGee as many on this board. Yes, he has immense talent. But for every 2 great plays, he makes 2 horrible ones. Not to mention the fact that his defensive positioning is horrible. He's more concerned about making the spectacular block, than playing solid post and help defense. Based on this, I"m not sure I'd be williong to committ long term from the Wiz perspective. I'd rather do it for someone like Greg Monroe. Hey maybe we get #1 pick, and w/trade McGee to Detroit and for Monroe and use their pick for Sullinger...Saves us a lot of money short term. And then we go hard after E. Gordon or Harden and Batum...

Part of the positioning problem is that he needs a bodyguard. That's why you can't pair Anthony Davis with McGee. That's why Blatche is not a good fit next to JaVale either.

[llcc25]

Best to enjoy McGee as much as you can now because I seriously don't believe he'll resign with the Wizards. We'll see him at his best in another team's uniform because that's the history of this franchise. Oh yeah, all of those Wizards basher, who tell us that we need to get rid of all of the players on this team except for Wall will be praising McGee's game. I would rather do away with the PG than a big man. You just don't find bigs that have the athleticism of McGee. If McGee had the training from a a proven big man's coach like Howard did w/Ewing and Bynum w/Kareem, I'm sure we would be reaping the same benefits. I would prefer that this team was built around McGee than Wall.

So you would rather have a team built around a Center, who can't defend the low post, is mostly out of position, doesn't have a offensive post move, and can't rebound better than an unathletic PF in Love? At a minimum right now, there should be no reason McGee should not be leading the league in rebounds. If he was, maybe I'd cut him some slack on his lack of post offense and defense...He's so focused on getting the block that he is mostly always out of position.. YOu can't have that from your center.

[hands11]

Best to enjoy McGee as much as you can now because I seriously don't believe he'll resign with the Wizards. We'll see him at his best in another team's uniform because that's the history of this franchise. Oh yeah, all of those Wizards basher, who tell us that we need to get rid of all of the players on this team except for Wall will be praising McGee's game. I would rather do away with the PG than a big man. You just don't find bigs that have the athleticism of McGee. If McGee had the training from a a proven big man's coach like Howard did w/Ewing and Bynum w/Kareem, I'm sure we would be reaping the same benefits. I would prefer that this team was built around McGee than Wall.

Right now, I am leaning this way also. Not sure Wall has the maturity or personality to build around. It might be better to trade him for assets and bring in a more mature leader/team player. Because with Wall, he seems like the type where he is either your leader or you move him. I don't see him following well.

Lets say this team had a K Love, or KD. Would Wall follow their lead or share the stage?

I will pull for all the Wizard players while they are Wizards, but I'm not getting emotionally attached to any of them. I see no clear path forward yet. There is nothing set in stone to build around. I just see assets. Players, cap space and draft picks.

As for McGee. Yeah. He could be a piece. He works hard. He will mature. And he would follow a good leadership core and maybe eventually become a part of one as he matures. If not, he will at least be a good soldier. It's personalities like Wall and Crawford that worry me more.

When teams are rebuilding, #1s get moved sometimes. This team still needs to assemble the right core.

[pancakes3]

mcgee has improved since last season and is not exactly the player you're describing, llcc25. he's 10th amongst starting starting PF/C's in TRB% and 9th in DRB%. In fact, DRB%-wise he's on par with Nene, Love, Haslem, Bogut and Duncan in the mid 20's. The real elite: Bynum and Howard are in the 30's.

there are still holes in mcgee's game, but you can't knock defense and rebounding so much anymore.

[7-Day Dray]

Best to enjoy McGee as much as you can now because I seriously don't believe he'll resign with the Wizards. We'll see him at his best in another team's uniform because that's the history of this franchise. Oh yeah, all of those Wizards basher, who tell us that we need to get rid of all of the players on this team except for Wall will be praising McGee's game. I would rather do away with the PG than a big man. You just don't find bigs that have the athleticism of McGee. If McGee had the training from a a proven big man's coach like Howard did w/Ewing and Bynum w/Kareem, I'm sure we would be reaping the same benefits. I would prefer that this team was built around McGee than Wall.

So you would rather have a team built around a Center, who can't defend the low post, is mostly out of position, doesn't have a offensive post move, and can't rebound better than an unathletic PF in Love? At a minimum right now, there should be no reason McGee should not be leading the league in rebounds. If he was, maybe I'd cut him some slack on his lack of post offense and defense...He's so focused on getting the block that he is mostly always out of position.. YOu can't have that from your center.

Doesn't have an offensive post move? What have you been watching this season? McGee's hook shot has been fairly accurate this season, and his dropstep has been killer.

And you act like not being able to outrebound Love is an insult. Love is a beast on the boards. He has great fundamentals, great 2nd and 3rd jumps, and is a big body. Even Dwight couldn't pull out the amount of 20 rebound games Love had last season. Nevertheless, McGee has been rebounding very well this season. He's 8th in the league in rebounding (10.1 rpg) and that's great considering he's only averaging 29.5 mpg. All the guys ahead at least average 31 mpg. Could he even be a better rebounder? Yes. I wish he would box out more and not just try to rely on his physical abilities. But rebounding isn't really a weakness for him.

All the talk of him being out of position should be blamed more on Blatche. Sure, McGee is going to get beat or caught out of position sometimes during a game, but when he's in the game with Dray, it's usually Dray's responsibility to have his backside, but he almost never has it. McGee definitely gets some blame, but most of our interior defensive woes should be blamed on Blatche.

If this team lets McGee walk, it'll set the rebuild back years. I'd really start questioning what this team is trying to build, and I'd probably start considering changing my favorite team.

[Nivek]

after watching yesterday's game, I'm not completely sold on McGee as many on this board. Yes, he has immense talent. But for every 2 great plays, he makes 2 horrible ones. Not to mention the fact that his defensive positioning is horrible. He's more concerned about making the spectacular block, than playing solid post and help defense. Based on this, I"m not sure I'd be williong to committ long term from the Wiz perspective.

There's no reason to rush with McGee. Yes, there are signs of progress, but there are still plenty of warning signs with him. Specifically, his horrible efficiency this season and his continued poor defense. The blocks are impressive, but in his zeal for blocks McGee misses a lot of routine plays that a good center makes.

I'm not saying the Wizards should let him go. I'm saying we need to pump the brakes with him. He still has considerable progress to make.