The Javale McGee Appreciation Thread

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Through 11 games played, Javale McGee is DEFINITELY getting better and better.

--This season McGee's rebounding and shotblocking are increasing. Meanwhile, his foul rate is dramatically decreasing.
--His offensive rating, defensive rating, win score per 48 are each much improved. Currently, his .125 WS/48 is the highest among regular rotation players by far.
--McGee's PER is currently 18.1, with 15 being the league average.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/2011.html

A great thing about McGee is he's still so young. He's the same age as rookies Damion James and others who played four years of college. Javale's one year younger than rookies Vasquez and Hamady N'diaye. He's two years younger than 2nd-year pro, Taj Gibson. McGee's three years younger than Joakim Noah, and almost three years younger than Lamarcus Aldridge.

McGee has a lot of time to figure things out. He's definitely making strides. I think he's got more upside than Blatche.

[Hoopalotta]

The main thing is that his energy level is starting to get outright ridiculous. You really can't find a big in the whole league who's been hustling better than McGee for the last three games or so.

It certainly could be that, as he's understanding what he's supposed to be doing, it's easier for him to give a full on turbo effort as he doesn't have to think as much about the nuances of his role and be slowed down by that hesitation.

But if this keeps up, his motor is at an elite level which, combined with the best standing reach in the NBA and upper tier athleticism, is basically a can't miss combination.

[willbcocks]

The main thing is that his energy level is starting to get outright ridiculous. You really can't find a big in the whole league who's been hustling better than McGee for the last three games or so.

It certainly could be that, as he's understanding what he's supposed to be doing, it's easier for him to give a full on turbo effort as he doesn't have to think as much about the nuances of his role and be slowed down by that hesitation.

But if this keeps up, his motor is at an elite level which, combined with the best standing reach in the NBA and upper tier athleticism, is basically a can't miss combination.

If we can add in "listens to what the coaches tell him" and "works on his game outside the 48x82," that's when it gets wild.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Hoopalotta, I'm so encouraged about what you just wrote I will use that for a signature for a while. McGee's playing with lots of energy. I don't care if he makes mistakes, dude is hustling.

If the Spurs have McGee on their roster, I'd say in place of Splitter, that team IMO beats LAL. That's how good this guy is. Put his shotblocking next to Timmy, and him off the bench on that team with brutes like Blair and McDyess--and that team can deal with Boston, Miami, anybody. The one thing the Spurs still lack is another shotblocker.

Another very telling stat is that Javale is shooting 50% less but hustling harder than ever. Any time a guy improves his rebounding and shotblocking and he's running so hard without worrying about his offense that helps a team win. Javale's a team player and, evidently, much more coachable.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The main thing is that his energy level is starting to get outright ridiculous. You really can't find a big in the whole league who's been hustling better than McGee for the last three games or so.

It certainly could be that, as he's understanding what he's supposed to be doing, it's easier for him to give a full on turbo effort as he doesn't have to think as much about the nuances of his role and be slowed down by that hesitation.

But if this keeps up, his motor is at an elite level which, combined with the best standing reach in the NBA and upper tier athleticism, is basically a can't miss combination.

If we can add in "listens to what the coaches tell him" and "works on his game outside the 48x82," that's when it gets wild.

willbcocks, haters gonna hate. Read my last post.

[nate33]

I think he's got more upside than Blatche.

I started entertaining this notion for the first time during the Boston game. McGee really does seem to be "getting it" to some degree. I think he has established himself as a legit, starting-caliber center at this point. He's still too inconsistent and undisciplined on defense to be in the top half of starting centers, but he's on his way.

[20MexicanosIn1Van]

Yup, McGee has certainly improved thus far throughout this short season. He still has his shortcomings, but the improvement is a great sign and has me excited for how good he could one day be.

Another way he's improved just throughout this short season is he's not biting at as many pump fakes (although still not perfect: see Marc Gasol fake). For example, I can remember at least two times from the Memphis game that he didn't bite at a Zach Randolph fake - one time he got a block and another time he changed the shot.

Our young team is going to struggle, but what I want to see is improvement and I've certainly seen it from McGee.

[willbcocks]

The main thing is that his energy level is starting to get outright ridiculous. You really can't find a big in the whole league who's been hustling better than McGee for the last three games or so.

It certainly could be that, as he's understanding what he's supposed to be doing, it's easier for him to give a full on turbo effort as he doesn't have to think as much about the nuances of his role and be slowed down by that hesitation.

But if this keeps up, his motor is at an elite level which, combined with the best standing reach in the NBA and upper tier athleticism, is basically a can't miss combination.

If we can add in "listens to what the coaches tell him" and "works on his game outside the 48x82," that's when it gets wild.

willbcocks, haters gonna hate. Read my last post.

I'm not hating--read the comments I make in all these game threads, and you'll see I've repeatedly said McGee has been the pleasant surprise this season. I actually think he has started listening to Flip. But he'll have to keep it up, as he'll have to keep up the hustle.

I was just adding that if he really puts the work in during the offseason and in practice, he could become something truly special.

[Wizards2Lottery]

He might have short comings but his ability to time his jump and swat the ball away is phenomenal. He's ridiculously athletic but that is just pure skill. He knows exactly when to leave his feet and send the ball sailing.

You can't help but wonder how good this team can be if McGee continues to fulfill his potential.

[willbcocks]

Yup, McGee has certainly improved thus far throughout this short season. He still has his shortcomings, but the improvement is a great sign and has me excited for how good he could one day be.

Another way he's improved just throughout this short season is he's not biting at as many pump fakes (although still not perfect: see Marc Gasol fake). For example, I can remember at least two times from the Memphis game that he didn't bite at a Zach Randolph fake - one time he got a block and another time he changed the shot.

Our young team is going to struggle, but what I want to see is improvement and I've certainly seen it from McGee.

I've been surprised in the past couple games that other teams have not been making of point of trying to fake him up in the air. In the past he was particularly bad against big men, but Gasol and Randolph didn't plan their games around it. I agree he's gotten better, but it's hard to tell how much. Before he would jump around if you raised your eyebrows, and at least he's not doing that.

Another thing I've noticed is he has gotten better at moving away from the defender while going for the block. Before it was always hands straight up, jump straight up, grimace and complain when the defender jumped into him and drew a foul. Recently he's been getting better at jumping parallel with the offensive and keeping his hands up. This is as important as any skill for a center IMO, and it will help him stay on the court if he continues to improve on it.

ETA: all in good time of course, but another thing Mcgee needs to improve onwill be blocking the ball up to himself like Haywood does. There's something to be said for the morale effect of blocking the ball into the 5th row, even if the other team gets it back, but with Blur on the team waiting to push the break, I'd rather pump up the crowd with a fast break dunk.

[closg00]

[willbcocks]

Another very telling stat is that Javale is shooting 50% less but hustling harder than ever. Any time a guy improves his rebounding and shotblocking and he's running so hard without worrying about his offense that helps a team win. Javale's a team player and, evidently, much more coachable.

Yup, these stats, plus the way he looks going back to the bench, makes me think Flip's getting through to him.

[doclinkin]

He might have short comings but his ability to time his jump and swat the ball away is phenomenal. He's ridiculously athletic but that is just pure skill. He knows exactly when to leave his feet and send the ball sailing.

You can't help but wonder how good this team can be if McGee continues to fulfill his potential.

As McGee gets more PT refs will be more familiar with him and he'll get more favorable calls. In the past he has received a number of goaltending whistles that were unjustified, but refs essentially didn't believe what they saw, or didn't think it possible that a guy could block a rainbow jumper at the apex of the arc.

I'm loving his hustle, but even more I enjoy that he's been willing to put a body-on in the paint. He's working to put himself between his man and the basket and getting better at rotations. Playtime is key for the kid, and as he has begun to handle the asthma he can get fatigued in a positive way. Before he would burn up his effort in a few short minutes trying to do something spectacular to earn PT. Then he'd make a lazy foul being out of position, swatting at somebody when they blow past him or bowl him over or when he lopes back slow on defense. But now he can learn to marshal his energy and turn it up as needed. No need to jump on every shot, you'll get your opportunities later in the game.

I wish Flip would work his playbook for more plays funneling towards the basket instead of running around until you get an open jumper. The body blow sets up the head shot. Design a few plays with McGee in mind.

[hands11]

Through 11 games played, Javale McGee is DEFINITELY getting better and better.

--This season McGee's rebounding and shotblocking are increasing. Meanwhile, his foul rate is dramatically decreasing.
--His offensive rating, defensive rating, win score per 48 are each much improved. Currently, his .125 WS/48 is the highest among regular rotation players by far.
--McGee's PER is currently 18.1, with 15 being the league average.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/2011.html

A great thing about McGee is he's still so young. He's the same age as rookies Damion James and others who played four years of college. Javale's one year younger than rookies Vasquez and Hamady N'diaye. He's two years younger than 2nd-year pro, Taj Gibson. McGee's three years younger than Joakim Noah, and almost three years younger than Lamarcus Aldridge.

McGee has a lot of time to figure things out. He's definitely making strides. I think he's got more upside than Blatche.

Only limit on Dray is that he is not as athletic.

I think Dray is the smarter more intuitive player in part because he lacks McGee physical skills so he adapted his game around what he had.

McGee is the inverse.

He plays dumb in part because he relies to much on his physical gifts and he is young enough that he hasn't learned past that yet.

They are both PF more than centers but both can play center because of their height. McGee as a center is a finesse center, not a banger. But he is making strides this year. Even with his blocks he is timing things better.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Only limit on Dray is that he is not as athletic.

I think Dray is the smarter more intuitive player in part because he lacks McGee physical skills so he adapted his game around what he had.

McGee is the inverse.

He plays dumb in part because he relies to much on his physical gifts and he is young enough that he hasn't learned past that yet.

They are both PF more than centers but both can play center because of their height. McGee as a center is a finesse center, not a banger. But he is making strides this year. Even with his blocks he is timing things better.

hands11s, I agree with this 100%, especially the part about each player being more PF than C.

[DallasShalDune]

I love how this thread is 1 away from the Amazingly Sucky Javale Thread

lolz. . .

[hands11]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 03582.html

Could this be it.

The last 3 games he as had 9, 10, and 12 rebounds.

Now this article comes out.

Saunders has asked him to provide "more substance over style" at the center position. He benched McGee for failing to box out Anderson Varejao on a free throw late in a loss to Cleveland, for letting Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson get uncontested layups in a loss to Charlotte, and for a series of missed assignments in Chicago, where McGee sat for the entire fourth quarter.

"It was really tough. I was on the bench, looking at shots, looking at layups, like I could've been there to contest those layups," said McGee, who is averaging career highs of 7.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and is second in the NBA in blocked shots at 2.9 per game. "They might not have been made baskets, if I was in there right now. I just got tired. I don't want nobody to tell me I'm not rebounding."

He later said that he might have to sacrifice some blocked shots to get more rebounds: "I'm trying to be in the right position at every time, not jumping to block every shot. I've really just been trying to seal my man and get rebounds rather than just out-jump everybody. I haven't been able to get my seven-block games, but I've been able to be consistent and get my three blocks a game."




If this is true, Flip should get some credit for being consistent in his parenting. It is a battle of wills when you are dealing with children. But if you are consistent over a period of time, they usually learn. Seems Flip may have finally gotten through to the kid.

This team is getting more interesting by the day. Gil is looking good. Now if McGee wants to grab us 9 or more boards a game, then that is going to change things. With his height and athleticism, not reason he cant continue to grab a lot of boards.

Hell, even Nick is looking like he is getting it more. The more that get it, the easier it will be for the next player to get with the program also. Maybe Yi will even set a pick over the next month.

[Jimmy Recard]

Gotta love the hustle:

[Wizards2Lottery]

Ridiculous acceleration. Most big men his size have lead in their feet. I've been watching that over and over again. McGee defies all physical laws for a guy of his size.

[willbcocks]

This guy creates the physical laws for bigmen:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CRDdRxqsC4[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqIkH5sDAlQ[/youtube]