The Javale McGee Appreciation Thread

fishercob · Post #1341 » by **fishercob** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:19 am

Depends on the coach, key. Can't imagine Eddie Jordan's kids are very committed defenders. :-)

Post #1342 » by **Ruzious** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:21 am

Based on that - and knowing I don't have all the facts - my gut says I gotta take Pam's side on this. If I was in her shoes, I'd say the exact same thing - why in the freaking heck haven't the Wiz done more to train Javale? That seems like a direct fail by EG. She did good by getting someone to do it. I have no idea if the guy she chose was a good choice, but he did develope some sort of hook shot. I'm pleased that he put the work in.

keynote · Post #1343 » by **keynote** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:34 am

Hiring Hakeem, Jabbar, etc., are publicity stunts as much as they are player development strategies. Ewing is a separate case, since he's a full-time assistant coach. But I'd rather JaVale get constant attention from a full-time assistant coach who understands post play than work with David Robinson for a two-week stint while filming vignettes for NBA Inside Stuff.

keynote · Post #1344 » by **keynote** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:35 am

fishercob wrote:Depends on the coach, key. Can't imagine Eddie Jordan's kids are very committed defenders.

Touche. Although, I'm sure they know how to pack the paint. :wink:

Black Eyed Sooz · Post #1345 » by **Black Eyed Sooz** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:40 am

keynote wrote:Hiring Hakeem, Jabbar, etc., are publicity stunts as much as they are player development strategies. Ewing is a separate case, since he's a full-time assistant coach. But I'd rather JaVale get constant attention from a full-time assistant coach who understands post play than work with David Robinson for a two-week stint while filming vignettes for NBA Inside Stuff.

Agreed- and I think the Don Zierden thing has to be read as an admission by the Wiz that Gene Banks just wasn't cutting it. I'm hoping the article will generate enough buzz that Ted will actually have to address the issue by actually hiring someone legit.

Of course, if it didn't happen it wouldn't be the first time the Wizards have disappointed us.

Post #1346 » by **Ruzious** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:53 am

keynote wrote:Hiring Hakeem, Jabbar, etc., are publicity stunts as much as they are player development strategies. Ewing is a separate case, since he's a full-time assistant coach. But I'd rather JaVale get constant attention from a full-time assistant coach who understands post play than work with David Robinson for a two-week stint while filming vignettes for NBA Inside Stuff.

I think you're completely wrong to assume hiring those guys would be nothing but publicity stunts. Is there really any doubt in anyone's mind that Hakeem was a big help to the NBA's best center?

queridiculo · Post #1347 » by **queridiculo** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:55 am

Odd, didn't they go out of their way to tell everybody how they've hired a shooting coach for Vesely?

You don't need a Hakeem or Jabbar, but it's a bit puzzling that the team wouldn't spent more time on developing their big men, especially when they have somebody as gifted as McGee on the roster.

All that tells me that it's really time for a culture change around that organization. Get rid of the Saunders, Grunfeld and all of their cronies and freshen up this place marred in losing.

keynote · Post #1348 » by **keynote** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 4:02 am

Ruzious wrote:
keynote wrote:Hiring Hakeem, Jabbar, etc., are publicity stunts as much as they are player development strategies. Ewing is a separate case, since he's a full-time assistant coach. But I'd rather JaVale get constant attention from a full-time assistant coach who understands post play than work with David Robinson for a two-week stint while filming vignettes for NBA Inside Stuff.

I think you're completely wrong to assume hiring those guys would be nothing but publicity stunts. Is there really any doubt in anyone's mind that Hakeem was a big help to the NBA's best center?

To be fair, I didn't say they were *nothing* but publicity stunts. Read my opening sentence again.

In any event: do you think that Dwight's development as a C wouldn't have happened *but for* Hakeem's two-week big man seminar? Or, that the only way to develop a precocious young big is to hire a HOFer? What is that based on?

More polished bigs over the course of the NBA's history have developed under the tutelage of lower-watt ex-players and career coaches than have developed at the feet of ex-superstars.

MF23 · Post #1349 » by **MF23** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 4:40 am

Whoa, the best thing about this article is that Javale is open to work with any bigman coach. The way his mom is I can tell a hardass coach isn't going to break Javale. I think the same thing about John Wall. In all honesty those two along with Singleton, Booker and Vesely can stay and everybody who's been associated with the Wizards for the past 7 years can go. Give me a hardass Popovich type coach, creative front office, hard work type of culture and this team can go places.

7-Day Dray · Post #1350 » by **7-Day Dray** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 4:50 am

It's mind-boggling how the FO doesn't do it's absolute best to get the most out of their investments. :nonono:

Bring in a big man coach!

MF23 · Post #1351 » by **MF23** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 4:56 am

Oh, and KAJ would be the best coach I could think of to work with Javale. KAJ is an interesting person and he'd be a good influence on Javale. I could see a lot of growth for Javale in working with KAJ. Watching tape is one thing but learning from the real person could be a wonderful thing for Javale.

hands11 · Post #1352 » by **hands11** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 5:14 am

long suffrin' boulez fan wrote:Ugh. Just read that Mike Wise WaPo piece on Javale and his momma. Oh brother, he will never really get it, will never face up to the legitimate things he has to work on, never - dare I say it -- become a man until she goes away.

Didn't think it possible, but I feel sorry for Flip.

Wow, now that is some serious reporting. Momma Bear is not happy.

I had made a big deal about Pam and her effect on JaVale's mind/personality in the past but I had forgotten about her until now.

Nice to see JaVale level the playing field some with this comment.

JaVale also acknowledges, yes, Pamela can be a Little League parent sometimes: “You know she’s takin’ my side on things. That’s my mom; we’re close.”

---

His mother was his AAU coach from 9 years old to sixth grade, getting up at 6 a.m. to work on drills with him. Trying to toughen up her son in the post when the ball dropped below JaVale’s chest as a child, “I hit him in the chest with my fist,” Pamela said.

“You’re my mother,” the boy would wince, “how could you do that to me?”

Pamela: “You stinkin’ up the gym, that’s why. I’m your coach right now.”

-- wow -- I can see why the kids wants to have some fun if that is what he got from his mother. I can see it from your father maybe but getting punked as a kid from mom isn't usually what a young boy wants.

Pam is very invested in him having been the one that coached him and being his mom. I can even understand what she is saying. He is a freak talent.

I guess I see one or two things happening. They better get him a name brand big man coach or McGee will sign the min extension and walk the following year. That is, if Pam has anything to say about it. But this isn't anything a several of our posters here hasnt been saying... Some have been saying bring in a big man coach for years.

So what happens now ?

hands11 · Post #1353 » by **hands11** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 5:25 am

Keynote

Good points. Got me thinking.

Who trained Hakeem, Jabbar, Magic, Bird, MJ, etc, etc.

Cramer · Post #1354 » by **Cramer** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 6:09 am

Just read the article.

Oh my......

Raise the...

hands11 · Post #1355 » by **hands11** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 7:49 am

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/ ... /index.htm

Anyone ever read through this. I don't remember ever seeing this posted.

October 19, 1998
A Legal Full-court Press
Can a single mom—the Sparks' Pam McGee—raise a child and play in the WNBA?

In a five-page narrative she filed in September as part of her competing request for sole custody of Imani, McGee wrote that Stafford became emotionally abusive toward her almost immediately after they were married. McGee claimed Stafford continually called her stupid, criticized her parenting and home-making, discouraged her from cultivating friendships and insisted she call him whenever she left the house. She charged that he refused to help her care for Imani or JaVale, claiming that he had said, "I don't babysit." McGee wrote that Stafford was especially harsh toward JaVale, sometimes using a belt to discipline him or forcing the then seven-year-old boy to wear a diaper after he wet his bed.

Man, another kid on this team with a troubled messed up family past. Gil had the same. So does Wall. Kwame's was a mess. Wonder what the story was with Dray. I can't recall reading his story.
Looks like Angela Oliver is his mother.

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #1356 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:11 pm

Ruzious wrote:Based on that - and knowing I don't have all the facts - my gut says I gotta take Pam's side on this. If I was in her shoes, I'd say the exact same thing - why in the freaking heck haven't the Wiz done more to train Javale? That seems like a direct fail by EG. She did good by getting someone to do it. I have no idea if the guy she chose was a good choice, but he did develope some sort of hook shot. I'm pleased that he put the work in.

+1

Javale needs to go to another team would be my viewpoint if I were his parent. Mainly just to change his image around the league. Dalembert's looking a whole lot better in Houston. McGee could go a number of different places and play a key role.

It will be really interesting to see how contract talks proceed with McGee.

REDardWIZskin · Post #1357 » by **REDardWIZskin** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:53 pm

I thought she was just giving an honest opinion when she was asked about her son and his current situation. She was definitely reaching with the future of the league talk, but it is her son what else do you expect her to say. This team/organization was not focused on player development until John was drafted. The lockout really hurt us from that standpoint the most IMO

Saqs · Post #1358 » by **Saqs** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 2:07 pm

That's kinda damning evidence in the player dev department IMO. It's good to see Javale is willing to put in the work to get better but its disappointing that it wasnt with the organizations input and/or backing.

Doesnt sound like he has much of a future here.

cwb3 · Post #1359 » by **cwb3** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 2:41 pm

Two thoughts:

1) This article reminds me a bit of the now infamous Kwame Brown article about not knowing how to take clothes to a dry-cleaner and eating Popeyes every meal. 20-somethings with the life skills of a 14 y/o.

2) Is WizarDynasty actually Javale's mom?

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #1360 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 2:41 pm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wi ... story.html

“He is not a knucklehead,” Pamela McGee says, sitting behind the basket an hour before her son, JaVale, and the Wizards would stun Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder on their best night of the season — albeit the worst start to a season in franchise history. “JaVale is a good kid. My son is special. He has gifts you can’t teach: hands, height and heart. If I’m the Wizards and I’m really trying to build a franchise, really committed to rebuilding and developing, I would nurture that talent. I would help a kid like JaVale the best I could.”

“I know people are making a big deal of that play,” she says. “Look, JaVale does that to break up the monotony. Wouldn’t you if you were losing like this? He’s been here for four years and it’s been same ol’, same ol’. I don’t want him to get institutionalized to losing. My son is the future of the NBA. I don’t want him to be part of this culture of losing forever.”

That kid has a mom who loves him and he's an exciting player.

I think the Wizards are a losing culture, too. I am glad Javale and the Wizards got the win over OKC and hope things get turned around, but I won't be mad if he goes elsewhere for his sake.