What is JaVale McGee's ceiling?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Our frontcourt would become a strength if Jamison had to play SF. Put an improved McGee or Blatche at PF, and make Caron the sixth man that plays more minutes than SA's sixth man, Ginobili.

Just said that to start something. Way too busy to engage on that thought.

[closg00]

Ok JJ, now I know you work for the Wiz org Our bigs are: Brendan Haywood, Andray Blatche
& JaVale McGee, we went from having 6 bigs to having 3. Our front court IS weak, 1 vet (Haywood), and 2 young bigs. I love McGee's potential as-much anyone, but you've got be honest.

btw. Are we signing Rasho or Oberto?

I am counting Jamison as a power forward who is going to take most of those minutes. He does average 10+ Rebs. And as far as having 6 big men? ET and Pech were wasted roster space and never going to contribute, and if you arent counting Antawn as a big man you certainly arent counting Songaila as a big man. Mike Miller is a better rebounder than Songaila.

As for the front court, I look at it like Denver in 08-09. Nene/Kmart/Birdman with Ronaldo Balkman as 4th was enough beef to make a high-powered, perimeter-based offense a contender. If Blatche steps up (as he did in Summer League), I think the Wiz front court in 09-10 looks comparable and will be more than enough to balance out the backcourt.

For reference, Birdman averaged 6.4 pts, 6.2 rebs, and 2.5 blks in 20 min/game in 08-09, Kmart averaged 11ppg, 6 rebs, 1 blk, and Nene 15 pts, 8 reb, 1 blk.

So I do not think that our front court is our strength at this point, but I do not think its weak either.

Song was certainly a big for us, god knows it drove us crazy last year playing the C position. My mother is a better rebounder than Song. Miller may be a better rebounder, but he won't be playing the PF position.

I don't know why you mention Balkman, Balkman didn't sniff a minute during the playoffs, but I understand your point & I agree up to a point. All a team will have to do next year is get Haywood in foul-trouble during the play-offs, then it will quickly become apparent how weak we are up-front. Even Miami has 4 centers.

It's all-good, we will get another big-body at some point, probably the last guy in the room at the rate they are being signed.

[JonathanJoseph]

Song was certainly a big for us, god knows it drove us crazy last year playing the C position. My mother is a better rebounder than Song. Miller may be a better rebounder, but he won't be playing the PF position.

I don't know why you mention Balkman, Balkman didn't sniff a minute during the playoffs, but I understand your point & I agree up to a point. All a team will have to do next year is get Haywood in foul-trouble during the play-offs, then it will quickly become apparent how weak we are up-front. Even Miami has 4 centers.

It's all-good, we will get another big-body at some point, probably the last guy in the room at the rate they are being signed.

Yes, Songaila played a big man, but he did not play big. Was he a body that could play position defense against opposing PFs? Yes, but I have no problem letting McGuire play 6-8 minutes a game in that role. McGuire matched up a few times in Summer League with Blake Griffin and held up fine.

As for Balkman, thats the point. Of course he did not sniff the floor in the playoffs because a playoff rotation only includes 3 big men.

[no D in Hibachi]

Yes, Songaila played a big man, but he did not play big.

I disagree with this. Last year Songaila was the Wizards best post defender and the best big at flashing on the pick and rolls. Was he super explosive, no. Did he block a lot of shots, no. But his position defense, and rotations were textbook. He has the strength and gerth to prevent the opposition from backing him down in low-post un-like Blatche or McGee.

You've brought up Chris Anderson, who is universally recognized as a good to great defender because he gets a ton of weak side blocks, but I've watched enough Nuggets games out here, especially during the playoffs, to know he's just atrocious at position defense. The Lakers beat down the Nuggets towards the end of their series because they realized that they could eat Anderson alive in the post so they just fed Gasol or Odom in games 5, and 6.

Songaila gets too much flack around here becuse he got a 5 year deal instead of a 3 or 4 year deal, and because he was forced to play out of position due to injuries. If he were 3 inches taller he'd be an all-star, but as he is he's a great 2nd big off the bench

[closg00]

Yes, Songaila played a big man, but he did not play big.

I disagree with this. Last year Songaila was the Wizards best post defender and the best big at flashing on the pick and rolls. Was he super explosive, no. Did he block a lot of shots, no. But his position defense, and rotations were textbook. He has the strength and gerth to prevent the opposition from backing him down in low-post un-like Blatche or McGee.

You've brought up Chris Anderson, who is universally recognized as a good to great defender because he gets a ton of weak side blocks, but I've watched enough Nuggets games out here, especially during the playoffs, to know he's just atrocious at position defense. The Lakers beat down the Nuggets towards the end of their series because they realized that they could eat Anderson alive in the post so they just fed Gasol or Odom in games 5, and 6.

Songaila gets too much flack around here becuse he got a 5 year deal instead of a 3 or 4 year deal, and because he was forced to play out of position due to injuries. If he were 3 inches taller he'd be an all-star, but as he is he's a great 2nd big off the bench

That was the consensus on the boards, EJ & Tap mis-used Song & we tried to keep him. Good situational player in limited minutes.

[I_Like_Dirt]

I'd be happy if McGee merely matched the pre-superstar version of Garnett and posted a PER around 22 (in 30+ minutes a game). If a team can get that kind of production from the center spot, the rest is easy.

Pre-superstar KG is basically Chris Bosh - although you've given the outlier as a few less minutes per game than Bosh normally plays. I'd be pretty damn extatic if McGee could match Bosh as a player.

[ZonkertheBrainless]

Yeah, Anderson is skinny and can be backed down on the block. Just like JaVale actually.

[hands11]

Yes, Songaila played a big man, but he did not play big.

I disagree with this. Last year Songaila was the Wizards best post defender and the best big at flashing on the pick and rolls. Was he super explosive, no. Did he block a lot of shots, no. But his position defense, and rotations were textbook. He has the strength and gerth to prevent the opposition from backing him down in low-post un-like Blatche or McGee.

You've brought up Chris Anderson, who is universally recognized as a good to great defender because he gets a ton of weak side blocks, but I've watched enough Nuggets games out here, especially during the playoffs, to know he's just atrocious at position defense. The Lakers beat down the Nuggets towards the end of their series because they realized that they could eat Anderson alive in the post so they just fed Gasol or Odom in games 5, and 6.

Songaila gets too much flack around here becuse he got a 5 year deal instead of a 3 or 4 year deal, and because he was forced to play out of position due to injuries. If he were 3 inches taller he'd be an all-star, but as he is he's a great 2nd big off the bench

A professional with drive, smarts and grit who can rebound well when he is a PF with a center behind him. I was hoping to see him start with Haywood at center until we added the new players we did. Also he was a good passer, cutter and great at working around the hoop.

You say if he was taller he would be an all star. I also said if he could jump more then 6 inches he would be. But even as is, if he could extend his range another foot so he was behind the 3 line, he is going to be very productive on the right team. He has a complete game with great BB IQ. I'd take him on my team. We will miss The Song.

[Dat2U]

Yes, Songaila played a big man, but he did not play big.

I disagree with this. Last year Songaila was the Wizards best post defender and the best big at flashing on the pick and rolls. Was he super explosive, no. Did he block a lot of shots, no. But his position defense, and rotations were textbook. He has the strength and gerth to prevent the opposition from backing him down in low-post un-like Blatche or McGee.

What's the point of playing perfect position defense and textbook rotations if opponents can score right on top of you or your can't get a defensive rebound to save your life? You know what, we heard this same mess about Michael Ruffin and how great he was at showing hard on pick and rolls and how he didn't back down, but frankly it didn't matter b/c he's 6-8 with short arms with no lift. Teams can attack the basket with a high level of success b/c there's simply not any real deterrent to stop them.

Songaila was undersized and a poor rebounder for a PF for godsakes! Playing him at C was just asking for failure.

[REDardWIZskin]

Javale is very nimble or agile to be 7ft, I can see how people try to compare him to a skinny Howard or tyson chandler because he can run the floor. Bosh and KG are more so jump shooters. But I dont think he could be like any of them. His agility and speed at 7ft are great tools and set him aside from many of the people we have seen come before him. His biggest obstacle right now is control and learning how to use his length. I heard that he had a late growth spurt in HS and he was a wing player prior to that. He has some skill around the rim and if he works hard it is scary how good he could be. I think he can benefit from watching AJ who is very crafty around the basket but at the same time McGee does not hesitate to dunk at a given opportunity.
i dont feel comfortable putting the words "Connie Hawkins" and "Javale McGee" in the same sentence, but when i try think of the someone who has had speed agility and length like Javale in the past thats who I land on. (Hawkins was only 6'8 but had crazy long arms and big hands). I'm not saying I think he will be as good as the HAWK but I believe that If he wants to do great things than He controls how high his ceiling will be by depending on his work ethic. He's tenacious and doesnt seem timid by the way he went at blake griffin in Vegas which are also attributes you cannot teach much like his height, athleticism and speed.

[JonathanJoseph]

http://bit.ly/5b3Or

Good golly.

If the lightbulb has indeed gone on for McGee (something which no one expected for a couple of years) than I have the Wizards as the favorite in the Eastern Conference. Wiz are contenders expecting 6-8 minutes from McGee.

[badinage]

http://bit.ly/5b3Or

Good golly.

If the lightbulb has indeed gone on for McGee (something which no one expected for a couple of years) than I have the Wizards as the favorite in the Eastern Conference. Wiz are contenders expecting 6-8 minutes from McGee.

The key for him is to play BIG.

In other words, he needs to not trade off the fact that he's an athletic freak with exceptional agility and grace and coordination, but instead use his size and his motor (an important component of his makeup) and his length to his advantage.

He did that in the final two summer league games. And from all indications, seems to be doing it, still, at team USA camp.

Boy oh boy, if he can make another big stride in his development, then this could be a helluva team next year.

I'm optimistic about that stride, and here's why: He made a huge stride last Spring, working with a personal trainer, and another huge stride in the early part of the season, when he worked his way into EJ's rotation after being expected to be a project and sit for a while.

[keynote]

http://bit.ly/5b3Or

Good golly.

If the lightbulb has indeed gone on for McGee (something which no one expected for a couple of years) than I have the Wizards as the favorite in the Eastern Conference. Wiz are contenders expecting 6-8 minutes from McGee.

Man. This could be better for McGee than Newell's Big Man Camp. Let's see if he picks up any more tips down there in Vegas.

Speaking of Pete Newell's camp: I don't hear about it as much as I used to. I know it's still running, but is it still well regarded/well-attended?

[Wizards2Lottery]

Quoted from a poster on the main board who went to the practice today:

JaVale McGee was a beast today. Made some great blocks, dunked on Oden once. Had a great sequence where he scored back to back baskets. One was a drive to the bucket, another from mid-range. He had his fair share of putbacks. Unfortunately, he also aired a few FT's.

[keynote]

By the way, TrueHoop posted a link to a Blazer fan blog with video from the 7/23 USA mini-camp. The footage focuses mostly on Oden, but there's a little McGee love in there. We don't see McGee dunking on Oden (actually, we do see Oden putting one on JaVale), but we do see one play where he tries one of his gangly running floaters while being guarded by Oden. I'm not a big fan of JaVale's gangly floater, earlier comparisons to Nance and Hawk notwithstanding. I don't see him getting many foul calls with that move, and I don't know if he has the touch to consistently hit those shots.

Anyway, here's the link.

[Pass_The_Sticks]

http://bit.ly/5b3Or

Good golly.

If the lightbulb has indeed gone on for McGee (something which no one expected for a couple of years) than I have the Wizards as the favorite in the Eastern Conference. Wiz are contenders expecting 6-8 minutes from McGee.

I wish people would spell his name right.

[WizStorm]

Funny reading through last year's draft thread ... certainly not much love for McGee there.

Here's the link to that thread, starting at the post when it was announced that McGee was the pick...
viewtopic.php?f=35&t=814316&start=647

[Donkey McDonkerton]

Funny reading through last year's draft thread ... certainly not much love for McGee there.

Here's the link to that thread, starting at the post when it was announced that McGee was the pick...
viewtopic.php?f=35&t=814316&start=647

WOW DAT

I said before the draft he IMO was the biggest bust. So to me, yes, he's the worst pick in the draft...

Well maybe tied with Jason Thompson at #12.

I love you man, but after this and the whole Kwame thing, i think you need to stay away from evaluating the big men

[AgentOvechkin08]

I am just happy that i didnt bash the pick when it was made.

I just said (paraphrasing) "Lets see what he does first, he has limitless potential"

I remember watching his highlight vids on youtube leading up the draft, i was drooling because i saw that if the kid put on some muscle and got some post skills, he could be dominant.

[Pollinator]

This is from John Schuhmann's
article at NBA.com that rates JaVale as just out of his 10 top players at the USA Basketball minicamp:

THE NEXT THREE (in alphabetical order):

O.J. Mayo, SG, Memphis
Showcase stats: 13 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 5-16 fg, 3-10 3pt
Mayo wasn't afraid to shoot the ball all week, but other than a brief hot streak in the third quarter on Saturday, he didn't shoot particularly well. With Devin Harris out, he spent some time running the point, but had as many turnovers as assists. Despite all that, with his talent, he should still be considered for a roster spot somewhere down the line.

JaVale McGee, C, Washington
Showcase stats: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 2-6 fg
Until Brook Lopez broke out on Saturday, McGee was the best center in camp. He has the potential to be Tyson Chandler with a decent jump shot. He blocked several shots in the three days and finished strong at the rim, but it came in flashes here or there. And he got pushed around a little by Oden and Lopez.

Greg Oden, C, Portland
Showcase stats: 7 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 3-6 fg, 1-2 ft
Oden defended the rim and rebounded better than any other big, but he showed that he's still got a long way to go offensively (though he did hit a baseline jumper on Saturday). Obviously, by losing so much time due to injuries, he's a couple of steps behind. And the staff knows that, so they'll keep him in the program, even if he doesn't get serious consideration for a roster spot next summer.

I'm trying not to get too excited about that part in bold above but- damn... those are some good players that he was not only keeping up with, but possibly even surpassing, as raw has he still is.

All the kid needs is patience and good health- in fact I hope that they try and build his bulk very gradually, I really wouldn't want to see him get the same kind of foot injuries that happened to Kwame, Yao Ming, and others. I can't prove it, but them trying to bulk up quickly had to have contributed to the stress fractures they ended up with.

If he wants to pat himself on the back, put his feet up, and take a little vacation off in cyberspace somewhere, I'm all for it. 82 games is a long season, and we're gonna need him to stay healthy.