What is JaVale McGee's ceiling?

McGeeNArenas · Post #101 » by **McGeeNArenas** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:08 am

Butler is not fat, I've seen him at lifetime gym here multiple times playing pick up ball and he's fit.

keynote · Post #102 » by **keynote** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:40 am

I remember reading that Butler carried a few extra lbs during his days at UConn. But he's long since shed any labels of being a chubster since he's been in the league. All those fat-free straws help.

WizarDynasty · Post #103 » by **WizarDynasty** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:08 pm

Butler at 210..nasty. I will switch off the Caron hate boat if that happens. It aint though.

pancakes3 · Post #104 » by **pancakes3** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:25 pm

i don't think people think butler's fat in the mike sweetney sense. he's just noticeably slower-footed than the other marquee SFs like granger, durant, 'melo, josh howard... however he's still pretty athletic in his own right, and i think some of us are forgetful of how good of a 2nd/3rd banana he can be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73e60gK3cVc

wizards-fan · Post #105 » by **wizards-fan** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:04 pm

If you guys want to hear some of the beats that JaVale's been working on, check it out:
http://www.truthaboutit.net/2009/07/jav ... ducer.html

RickRoll_inDC · Post #106 » by **RickRoll_inDC** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:37 pm

Sometimes I wonder if Javale ever sleeps. The music stuff,the video editing, and we can only assume that he works on his game every day. I am relieved though, that he doesn't seem like he's gonna get into any trouble.

TheKingOfVa360 · Post #107 » by **TheKingOfVa360** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 2:39 am

gilbertgoes05 wrote:Sometimes I wonder if Javale ever sleeps. The music stuff,the video editing, and we can only assume that he works on his game every day. I am relieved though, that he doesn't seem like he's gonna get into any trouble.

Yeah he seems like a good/smart young man. I just hope he bulks up some. He has future all-star written all over him.

Post #108 » by **Rafael122** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 4:39 pm

How many more pounds can he add to his frame without losing any of his explosiveness? According to Lee's article, he's up to 250 now. Maybe add another 15 pounds or so?

WizarDynasty · Post #109 » by **WizarDynasty** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:26 pm

He shouldn't go over 260. Don't get heavier than Tim Duncan.

Post #110 » by **LyricalRico** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 2:17 pm

Yeah, I'd like him to stay in the 260's as well. Don't want him to lose the quickness/explosiveness or develop lower limb issues.

Joel Embust · Post #111 » by **Joel Embust** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 4:46 pm

I just acquired McGee in a fantasy dynasty league trade, I expect a lot from him. He probably won't play a lot of minutes with Jamison/Haywood/Blatche/Oberto, but I expect him to become a 25 mpg player in his third season.

Kanyewest · Post #112 » by **Kanyewest** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:37 pm

Sonics-FAN wrote:I just acquired McGee in a fantasy dynasty league trade, I expect a lot from him. He probably won't play a lot of minutes with Jamison/Haywood/Blatche/Oberto, but I expect him to become a 25 mpg player in his third season.

What did you give up to get him?

Joel Embust · Post #113 » by **Joel Embust** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:15 pm

Tyrus Thomas for McGee and the 8th pick in the 2009 rookie draft (we have 17 teams). I'm through with Tyrus, but now that I got rid of him he'll probably break out for 16/8 with a steal and two blocks this coming season. :lol:

hands11 · Post #114 » by **hands11** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:42 am

I haven't seen anything from McGee last year or after this one summer league game that would indicate he will give you anything reliable next year.

I have yet to see him do anything consistent regarding how he plays D. As a center, if you can't do that, you won't see the floor on a good team.

It typically take 3-4 years for a tall young center like McGee gets over the hump. Yeah, we can all see the raw skills and athleticism but it is stuck in the developing body of a player who lacks maturity and experience. I think he will become a good to great player, but he isn't likely to get there next year.

crackhed · Post #115 » by **crackhed** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 3:09 am

in retrospect, could be that ej's decision to start mcgee during his rookie season hurt him more than it helped. kid still doesnt quite get what he needs to work on to be legit in this league.

hands11 · Post #116 » by **hands11** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 4:42 am

crackhed wrote:in retrospect, could be that ej's decision to start mcgee during his rookie season hurt him more than it helped. kid still doesnt quite get what he needs to work on to be legit in this league.

I think the behind the back pass that Flip commented on in the last the summer game is a good indication that McGee hasn't excepted or lacks the discipline to focused on what he needs to do or work on. i would guess that after Flip talks to him or McGee catches wind of the comment, that will be the last behind the back pass you see from McGee this summer.

I read where people say coach don't score points, players do. That may be true but coaches lead and mold player to be the best they can be and the best the can be in the context of the system that they employ for offense and defense. They also decide who gets minutes and with whom. Those seem to be very important things that ultimately have a huge impact on how the team performs and grows.

McGee is either going to do what Flip asks of him or his isn't going to play much next year until he does.

WizarDynasty · Post #117 » by **WizarDynasty** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 5:48 am

Yeah i think Javale should really get about twenty hours of Tim Duncan tapes and sit down three hours a day and just study and watch the greatest fundamental bigman of our generation especially if Javale really wants to be successful quickly. He really needs to stop pretending that he is a small forward and start banging in the paint for position and start pinning his man behind him for deep entry passes into the paint. Javale needs big time leg strength. His legs aren't strong enough to move his frame around the way he wants to. The effort and heart are there though.
I had a feeling that he would ditch the football trainer he had during the draft that was helping him improving his leg strength because his poor leg strength is what keeps him from holding his position and pinning his defender behind him on post entry passes. It's almost like you can breath on him and he will topple over with those skinny legs of his.

doclinkin · Post #118 » by **doclinkin** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:57 pm

Playing summerleague and playing like ass for the first couple games is exactly what JaVale needed. Once he settled down into a big man role, he started to recognize the fact that he's plain larger than everyone else. Not faster than a guard, not more tricksy with the dribble, not a better shooter, but long as I-95 from Maine to the dangle of Florida. Then his game took off. Blocking, dunking on the oop, flipping in that midrange hook shot like he's putting a can of soup back on the top shelf.

One issue, he's started to set picks and commit to them, but he sets such a wide base that it's unusable for the intended purpose. His own players have to dodge around him, and since he often leaves the pick on a roll move early, he only acts as a speed bump for his teammates, not for opponents. Plus: leaving his leg out there while moving makes him vulnerable to tripping calls when he flinches out of the pick. Understood, his crotch is at shoulder height for guards driving past him in a low scramble, that'd make me nervous too-- but he just needs to set a soccer wall on the free kick (put his fists over his fellas then flex his elbows forward). Otherwise the pick ain't a pick.

WizarDynasty · Post #119 » by **WizarDynasty** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:05 pm

doclinkin wrote:Playing summerleague and playing like ass for the first couple games is exactly what JaVale needed. Once he settled down into a big man role, he started to recognize the fact that he's plain larger than everyone else. Not faster than a guard, not more tricksy with the dribble, not a better shooter, but long as I-95 from Maine to the dangle of Florida. Then his game took off. Blocking, dunking on the oop, flipping in that midrange hook shot like he's putting a can of soup back on the top shelf.

One issue, he's started to set picks and commit to them, but he sets such a wide base that it's unusable for the intended purpose. His own players have to dodge around him, and since he often leaves the pick on a roll move early, he only acts as a speed bump for his teammates, not for opponents. Plus: leaving his leg out there while moving makes him vulnerable to tripping calls when he flinches out of the pick. Understood, his crotch is at shoulder height for guards driving past him in a low scramble, that'd make me nervous too-- but he just needs to set a soccer wall on the free kick (put his fists over his fellas then flex his elbows forward). Otherwise the pick ain't a pick.

Agree 100 percent. I think forcing Javale to set picks is also going to make him tougher. I already see the influence of Saunder and Cassell. Instead of McGee hopping after a made basket, (he will usually turn around and do a lil hop in the air before starting to run back down the court..he is starting to push off on his man using his arms to give him a thrust. that push off on the defender also wear the other big down because they have to absorb his force as he uses their body as spring board. Saves his leg energy.

Post #120 » by **TheSecretWeapon** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:14 pm

If McGee is willing, he can learn a lot about screen setting from Haywood. I've commented here before about the difference between plays the Wizards ran with Haywood on the floor vs. Etan. Haywood -- reputed to be "soft" -- set far better picks than "plays with force" Etan. And the plays ran better too.

A couple years ago, I sat on press row next to a Western Conference scout. He had high praise for Haywood's screens. He actually used the word "physical." (And no, he didn't use the word "not" before "physical.")