The Javale McGee Appreciation Thread

[hands11]

Blazers here.

We need a backup Center to Oden. We don't need Rudy Fernandez, as he'd be unhappy playing behind Roy.

Rudy for Javale?

--Brandon

No way. Rudy is good but its super bad to go big for small & McGee's upside is way too high. I thought you guys shouldve takened Haywood though. You would be looking real good right now with him

+ 1

We are rebuilding and McGee is untouchable at this point. Actually, for me he was untouchable in a trade since the day we got him.

We have two young freaks who each may be able to redefine their positions and they are both signed cheap. What we need is to add another center or two, not loose one. We have these kids for two more years locked up and they aren't going anywhere.

But if you want to do a trade for Fabio and Nick Young for Roy I think we can get EG on the phone for you.

[sfam]

Some people here are talking about McGee as if he's already a sure thing. I don't get that. Yeah, he has all sorts of potential, but he still screams "knucklehead". Perhaps in a year or two he gets it. That would be great. He is starting to make strides. I'm willing to give him time to see how he develops, but if, for instance, we have a chance at someone like Favors in the draft, and all we have to do is give up McGee and say, the #5 or #6 pick to get him, right now I'd be all over that.

[Kanyewest]

Some people here are talking about McGee as if he's already a sure thing. I don't get that. Yeah, he has all sorts of potential, but he still screams "knucklehead". Perhaps in a year or two he gets it. That would be great. He is starting to make strides. I'm willing to give him time to see how he develops, but if, for instance, we have a chance at someone like Favors in the draft, and all we have to do is give up McGee and say, the #5 or #6 pick to get him, right now I'd be all over that.

Agreed. And isn't shocking that another team wouldn't give up a #5-6 pick for McGee because he has a lot of bad habits, isn't consistent, and doesn't play good post defense.

[Ruzious]

Some people here are talking about McGee as if he's already a sure thing. I don't get that. Yeah, he has all sorts of potential, but he still screams "knucklehead". Perhaps in a year or two he gets it. That would be great. He is starting to make strides. I'm willing to give him time to see how he develops, but if, for instance, we have a chance at someone like Favors in the draft, and all we have to do is give up McGee and say, the #5 or #6 pick to get him, right now I'd be all over that.

Agreed. And isn't shocking that another team wouldn't give up a #5-6 pick for McGee because he has a lot of bad habits, isn't consistent, and doesn't play good post defense.

Wait a sec. Sfam said he'd trade McGee AND our pick for Favors. That's basically trading McGee to move up 1 or 2 spots in the draft. I think that'd be a really bad move.

[Kanyewest]

^^^^ Whoops misread that.

[sfam]

Some people here are talking about McGee as if he's already a sure thing. I don't get that. Yeah, he has all sorts of potential, but he still screams "knucklehead". Perhaps in a year or two he gets it. That would be great. He is starting to make strides. I'm willing to give him time to see how he develops, but if, for instance, we have a chance at someone like Favors in the draft, and all we have to do is give up McGee and say, the #5 or #6 pick to get him, right now I'd be all over that.

Agreed. And isn't shocking that another team wouldn't give up a #5-6 pick for McGee because he has a lot of bad habits, isn't consistent, and doesn't play good post defense.

Wait a sec. Sfam said he'd trade McGee AND our pick for Favors. That's basically trading McGee to move up 1 or 2 spots in the draft. I think that'd be a really bad move.

Again, if McGee is as inconsistent at the end of the year as he is right now, yeah, I'd do that. Favors to me is a very hard worker, and an extremely gifted athlete, who, if paired with great guard play could be absolutely terrific at the next level. I think he fits our evolving athletic team really well. If the draft is essentially a 4 person draft, its not a bad move. Whoever gets 5-9 isn't really going to be getting the same level of player.

Edit: The caveat of course is if McGee is just as inconsistent at the end of the year. IF he starts turning the corner - meaning we really do see him as a starting caliber player next year (he's not right now - than this wouldn't be a great move.

[Ruzious]

Again, if McGee is as inconsistent at the end of the year as he is right now, yeah, I'd do that. Favors to me is a very hard worker, and an extremely gifted athlete, who, if paired with great guard play could be absolutely terrific at the next level. I think he fits our evolving athletic team really well. If the draft is essentially a 4 person draft, its not a bad move. Whoever gets 5-9 isn't really going to be getting the same level of player.

Edit: The caveat of course is if McGee is just as inconsistent at the end of the year. IF he starts turning the corner - meaning we really do see him as a starting caliber player next year (he's not right now - than this wouldn't be a great move.

Favors would work in perfectly in a 3 man rotation up front - with Blatche and McGee. I'd be willing to trade nicnacs (like our other 2 picks and Young) to move up 1 or 2 spots, but not McGee. He's too young and talented to give up on. Then again, if Jav really falls on his face the rest of the season, maybe you're right.

[dobrojim]

I wouldn't be surprised if JM was still inconsistent by eoy.
He's still really young. What you are looking for is the
effort to work on his game and to listen to those who
know better.

I like Favors from the limited I've seen. But there's no way
I trade up 2-3 spots giving up JM to get him. Not based on
the current situation anyway. That also depends on what
the alternatives are likely to be. Greg Monroe would look
pretty good playing with either 7DD or JM.

[miller31time]

Some people here are talking about McGee as if he's already a sure thing. I don't get that. Yeah, he has all sorts of potential, but he still screams "knucklehead". Perhaps in a year or two he gets it. That would be great. He is starting to make strides. I'm willing to give him time to see how he develops, but if, for instance, we have a chance at someone like Favors in the draft, and all we have to do is give up McGee and say, the #5 or #6 pick to get him, right now I'd be all over that.

I think I agree with you.

McGee's potential is seemingly canceled out with his inadequacies. Namely, being defensively inept. He's not just a bad defender, he's one of the worst in NBA history at this point.

If we can move up in the lotto and get more of a 'sure thing', I'd sacrifice the chance McGee finally gets it.

[sfam]

Some people here are talking about McGee as if he's already a sure thing. I don't get that. Yeah, he has all sorts of potential, but he still screams "knucklehead". Perhaps in a year or two he gets it. That would be great. He is starting to make strides. I'm willing to give him time to see how he develops, but if, for instance, we have a chance at someone like Favors in the draft, and all we have to do is give up McGee and say, the #5 or #6 pick to get him, right now I'd be all over that.

I think I agree with you.

McGee's potential is seemingly canceled out with his inadequacies. Namely, being defensively inept. He's not just a bad defender, he's one of the worst in NBA history at this point.

If we can move up in the lotto and get more of a 'sure thing', I'd sacrifice the chance McGee finally gets it.

Exactly. I don't at all disagree that McGee has big time potential - my point is if we can get something proven, I'd be more than happy having someone else work the potential. McGee's brain seems to be getting in front of the talent his body has to an insane degree.

[sfam]

Again, if McGee is as inconsistent at the end of the year as he is right now, yeah, I'd do that. Favors to me is a very hard worker, and an extremely gifted athlete, who, if paired with great guard play could be absolutely terrific at the next level. I think he fits our evolving athletic team really well. If the draft is essentially a 4 person draft, its not a bad move. Whoever gets 5-9 isn't really going to be getting the same level of player.

Edit: The caveat of course is if McGee is just as inconsistent at the end of the year. IF he starts turning the corner - meaning we really do see him as a starting caliber player next year (he's not right now - than this wouldn't be a great move.

Favors would work in perfectly in a 3 man rotation up front - with Blatche and McGee. I'd be willing to trade nicnacs (like our other 2 picks and Young) to move up 1 or 2 spots, but not McGee. He's too young and talented to give up on. Then again, if Jav really falls on his face the rest of the season, maybe you're right.

I'd love that as a three-man rotation, but honestly, I wouldn't see McGee starting in it. I'd almost expect Favors to be starting from the beginning of his first season. HIs offense is still suspect, but his defense is already orders of magnitude better than McGee's.

[hands11]

Post Orlando game.

McGee just has on and off games. Match up has a ton to do with it. Howard know what he wanted to do to the kid. He didn't stand a chance. And then he gets all Rubber Man and start trying impossible shots. He really has to shelve that drive left then try to shoot with the right hand move. He is way off balance and he exposes the ball to much. Kid really needs to work on a post move or two over the summer. But for now, sitting baselines waiting for a pass where he can use his long strides and leaps works well.

I did like that he took that foul line shot wide open. That's is a nice shot for a center to be able to make. Haywood started to work that in and I liked it. It pull the D out to him. At 7 foot it should be hard to block if he has his feet square and he is balanced. If he can hit that with some regularity, he can take two steps driving to the right and just dunk it. Maybe that is where things will start for him in expanding his offense. It should also get him some Fts. Playing back to the basket doesn't seem to be his thing right now so go with what works for you. Not liking his baseline jumper from 20 feet either.

He just needs to narrow down what he is trying to do and stick with that for now. He gets the ball and just spazzes out to many times.

Baseline set up waiting for the other team to collapse on Dray or others for a dunk.
Alley-Opp
FT line straight one shot with some drives by for a dunk.

That's enough for now.

Then just focus on defense and rebounds.

[WizarDynasty]

I would like to redcind my statement from earlier. It really depends on the match ups. Javale is a really weak uncoordinated player with poor upper and lower body strengths. I see as a decent bench player if he gets tougher and stronger and his knee heals he maybe decent. Right now I grade him as change of pace defensive big against finesse post players. The only time he plays well is when he is pumped up after a dunk because he is physical...most of the time he plays like a sucka and attempts to minimize contact at every possible moment. He is just a frail man and I don't see his toothpick legs getting any bigger.
Change of pace shotblocker but he has years to go. Our best hope is scooping cousins in the draft. We aren't going to get a shotblocking strong post player in free agency. Teams will probably never have a two way center. Impossible to find.
The guy is only 23 years old and has a bad knee people.

[queridiculo]

I haven't seen McGee have an 'on' game all season. Kid seems content with throwing down dunks whenever he gets the chance, but does very little else to distinguish himself on the court.

What bothers me the most is the lack of pride he shows on the defensive end. If he could only get as fired up about fighting his opponents for position as he does when he gets a gimme flush maybe I wouldn't be down on him so much.

[montestewart]

I haven't seen McGee have an 'on' game all season. Kid seems content with throwing down dunks whenever he gets the chance, but does very little else to distinguish himself on the court.

What bothers me the most is the lack of pride he shows on the defensive end. If he could only get as fired up about fighting his opponents for position as he does when he gets a gimme flush maybe I wouldn't be down on him so much.

I'd be really happy if he stopped doing that salute after the slam dunk alley oops. Granted, they are occasionally spectacular, but considering what opponents do to him on the other end, "it's all about the dunk" is a bad message to send.

[jimij]

I'd trade McGee in a heartbeat for an extra lottery pick if I knew for a fact we were getting Favors or Cousins with our own pick but there's no way I trade him and our pick unless it gets us Wall.

I like his potential upside but if we could get one of those two big men to groom as our center, I'd rather draft somebody else and let another team deal with his growing pains. I know he's got a high ceiling but I'm not very confident that he'll ever reach it.

[pancakes3]

i'd flip mcgee for cousins as well. i'd also flip mcgee + cle pick for cousins + early 2nd rounder for monetary reasons.

[sfam]

Well, at least McGee had a few defensive rebounds today. But I'd be surprised if other teams will give up a lot for this guy right now. He's pretty far from a sure thing.

[hands11]

If you look at the way he plays, his minutes and production and he was your back up center, you would be happy.

http://espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3452

Has the kid even stopped growing yet. I remember Pam saying he was 7-1 now but I don't see anything change in his bio.

He made a move baseline tonight for a dunk and all I could think was, power forward. I think he thinks like a power forward more then a center. Players are what they mentally are. Mentally, I don't think McGee is a center. And if that is true, then this team really has no one who is a center.

Dray is talented enough to do it but Dray is really a PF. Berto ? No really even worth mentioning if that is all we have as a center. This is why I didn't want to get ride of Haywood and even if we did, why I wanted Z to play. You just can't get buy in the NBA without a starting quality center and a back up.

To me it made no sense letting go of Haywood. You just don't find quality centers like that every day and if you do, you pay for it. All the more reason why we have to get Gil out of here by dumping his contract for an expiring. We need that money for other things.

I would rather have a Nash or Kid with Livingston backing them up and Haywood than Gil.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I'm totally in favor of giving him time to develop (now).
He could be special in another 1-2 years.

CCJ - JaVale better not tune out Flip or anyone
else ie holding a grudge for his lack of PT. If
he doesn't understand how that happened, he
better look in the mirror and start growing up
now. That's the worst possible attitude one could
have at his stage. Seriously. It's fine for YOU to
hold that grudge if you so choose. But it won't
advance his career at all. Haywood and 7DD
deserved those minutes. Oberto had a clue
out there however limited he is. JM apparently
acted as though simply having potential meant
that the coach ought to play him.

As for Flip wanting him to be a DEFENSIVE C
(first) I think anyone who plays C has to be
about defense and rebounding in the NBA
before they start worrying about becoming
a scorer.

Javale's comments did show immaturity and arrogance. A wise attitude would be to shut up and try to assimilate what the coach wants, but to still be yourself and play your own game.

I disagree with him not trying to score. That's something he can pick up faster IMO. He just needs to give a maximum effort at both ends.