Wiz Acquire Hinrich, Seraphin, $3M for Veermenko's rights

[rockymac52]

While I enjoy McGee on our team and see how he has all the potential in the world, he's just one of those guys that I don't think will ever "get it". We all know how bad he is at man to man defense. He's good for plenty of swats, but almost as many goaltendings or fouls or easy layups because he got caught jumping. He'll get better at that with time, but I don't think he'll ever be very reliable in that sense. Offensively it'd be nice to see him have the confidence to start scoring from the low block with his hook or some moves. Right now he really only scores when the defense rotates and the PG or whoever has the ball finds McGee right next to the basket and he can just slam it in.

I don't think McGee has the desire to become great at all. This is just based off of how he holds himself on the court, his quotes, and everything I've read about him. He seems like a 7 footer who was born into a basketball family and would have been a moron to not play basketball given his physical gifts. But at the same time, he seems like a guy who doesn't really love or even enjoy basketball, and while I'm sure he'd like to make more money doing it, he's content where he's at, and he's not willing to work hard enough to get that big payday. And he definitely isn't willing to work hard enough to be the best he can be, because I don't think being the best basketball player is something that really matters to him.

You hear it from all the allstars or young players all the time, they love the game of basketball, they're always in the gym, and they want to work as hard as they can to be the best in the game. I've never heard McGee say anything along those lines. When he's asked about basketball, he replies without any emotion or interest it seems. He seems much more interested in playing around and being a kid, listening to music or awful movies involving transformers. It's not like he knows he's great at basketball and is cocky and thinks he's already got what it takes and doesn't have to work hard for it, he just gives off the impression that he doesn't care. He's a nice guy, a real good teammate, and I'm sure he wants to win and whatnot, but he's just not that dedicated to it at the end of the day.

[Hoopalotta]

I agree that there are some concerns about McGee's working on his game, but I actually consider him to be a very emotional and fiery player with a high motor when he's actually playing in games (of course he has historically gotten gassed quickly).

He gets really, really worked up and that's one of the things that I dig about him. He makes all kinds of horrible defensive decisions, yes, but I feel that he takes it as a personal affront when an opponent is moving towards the basket with the ball.

[willbcocks]

Then his life must be filled with effrontery...

[dangermouse]

He seems much more interested in playing around and being a kid, listening to music or awful movies involving transformers.

This was my facial expression when i read this:

[sfam]

While I enjoy McGee on our team and see how he has all the potential in the world, he's just one of those guys that I don't think will ever "get it". We all know how bad he is at man to man defense. He's good for plenty of swats, but almost as many goaltendings or fouls or easy layups because he got caught jumping. He'll get better at that with time, but I don't think he'll ever be very reliable in that sense. Offensively it'd be nice to see him have the confidence to start scoring from the low block with his hook or some moves. Right now he really only scores when the defense rotates and the PG or whoever has the ball finds McGee right next to the basket and he can just slam it in.

I don't think McGee has the desire to become great at all. This is just based off of how he holds himself on the court, his quotes, and everything I've read about him. He seems like a 7 footer who was born into a basketball family and would have been a moron to not play basketball given his physical gifts...

+1
This is a better description than my knucklehead concern. Agreed. This is my issue exactly, and why I would be perfectly OK dumping him if we were able to get something more solid (but with less potential) in return. I too worry that McGee might not ever "get it". I agree this is different from Blatche's emoting spats.

[rockymac52]

And the thing that makes it even worse for McGee in my opinion, is that were he to learn from seasoned NBA veterans, or even allstars, it wouldn't even change things. I don't think McGee looks up to the star centers in the game or of the past. Hell, I don't even know if McGee watches basketball.

JaVale McGee's "Proof" That He Works Out:
http://www.youtube.com/user/bigdaddywoo ... 1Z8hzdGsLA

not impressive...

McGee's Transformers Performance I Referred To:
http://www.youtube.com/user/bigdaddywoo ... nb2cLf918M

Although it was funny, and still is to me, it's also everything that's wrong about the Wizards:
http://www.youtube.com/user/bigdaddywoo ... JoMULx5GZg

[nate33]

I share many of the concerns about McGee, but I'm not as worried that they're permanent character flaws. Things have come too easy to McGee for too long. He has always been a physical freak and therefore never has had to really work for it. I think he is encountering competition for the first time and it's an adjustment process. He made no improvement whatsoever in his first 1-1/2 seasons but I was encouraged to see him getting better over the second half of last season. I think he'll continue to get better.

He'll never be a post-up player, but I think he can evolve into a very good face-up player. If he ever gets reliable with a 17-foot jumper, he'll draw his defenders out far enough to where he can blow past them. He could be Camby with offense.

[sfam]

I share many of the concerns about McGee, but I'm not as worried that they're permanent character flaws. Things have come too easy to McGee for too long. He has always been a physical freak and therefore never has had to really work for it. I think he is encountering competition for the first time and it's an adjustment process. He made no improvement whatsoever in his first 1-1/2 seasons but I was encouraged to see him getting better over the second half of last season. I think he'll continue to get better.

He'll never be a post-up player, but I think he can evolve into a very good face-up player. If he ever gets reliable with a 17-foot jumper, he'll draw his defenders out far enough to where he can blow past them. He could be Camby with offense.

But Camby is on the other side of the basketball IQ scale. He knows exactly where to be, and when. I just don't see McGee's defensive upside being anywhere near that. He certainly has the athletic talent to do anything, but I'll be shocked beyond words if McGee is ever in the conversation for defensive player of the year.

[fishercob]

This is where I'd evoke badinage's recent post. Guys, we have no idea.

We don't know how McGee is spending his days. We just don't. The fact that he puts up some goofy parody videos on youtube is indicative of what, exactly?

Like everyone else, he'll have the opportunity to prove himself on the court, and it's pretty clear that he's going to have to earn his minutes against other young n' hungrys. Hopefully that brings out the best in him.

[Liverbird]

I believe we should lock him in the VC basement watching highlights of Bill Russell the entire summer.

He's got it physically - but I don't see it in his eyes. They're empty.

[sfam]

I believe we should lock him in the VC basement watching highlights of Bill Russell the entire summer.

He's got it physically - but I don't see it in his eyes. They're empty.

I bet you'd never get McGee to watch anything black and white. It still amazes me how many people in that age group pretty much look at anything in B&W as a complete waste of time.

You'd be better off showing him clips of Abdul Jabbar.

[wrexingcrew]

But Camby is on the other side of the basketball IQ scale. He knows exactly where to be, and when. I just don't see McGee's defensive upside being anywhere near that.

On the other hand, Camby could look pretty lost at times in the Raptors/Knicks days. His shot-blocking was already incredible and the raw ability was there, but he wasn't always in the right place at the right time otherwise. Do I think he has that kind of defensive upside? No, but I do think some of the biggest holes in his game are things he can work on. As nate says, he can add jumpshot range. He can improve his defensive awareness significantly, even if he'll never be great on that side of the ball.

I don't want to give McGee unlimited chances, but keeping an open mind over the final two years of his contract doesn't cost us anything.*

*Unless we pass on a quality big in the draft because of him. I guess that's the argument for giving him this year and this year alone to show significant improvement.

[fishercob]

Welcome wrexingcrew!

[sfam]

But Camby is on the other side of the basketball IQ scale. He knows exactly where to be, and when. I just don't see McGee's defensive upside being anywhere near that.

On the other hand, Camby could look pretty lost at times in the Raptors/Knicks days. His shot-blocking was already incredible and the raw ability was there, but he wasn't always in the right place at the right time otherwise. Do I think he has that kind of defensive upside? No, but I do think some of the biggest holes in his game are things he can work on. As nate says, he can add jumpshot range. He can improve his defensive awareness significantly, even if he'll never be great on that side of the ball.

I don't want to give McGee unlimited chances, but keeping an open mind over the final two years of his contract doesn't cost us anything.*

*Unless we pass on a quality big in the draft because of him. I guess that's the argument for giving him this year and this year alone to show significant improvement.

Absolutely agree. Giving McGee a few more years to figure it out is a great idea. He might end up getting lots lots better (this is certainly what everyone here hopes for). My only point was if someone wanted to flash proven talent at us, or perhaps a lottery pick, I would be just as happy giving someone else the risk of seeing whether he gets it. And welcome to RealGm.

[keynote]

Welcome aboard, Wrexingcrew! Stay world class.

[wrexingcrew]

Thanks for the welcome everybody (and nice touch, keynote). I'll try to keep most of em shorter.

sfam, I'm with you for the most part - I don't want an indefinite waiting game with McGee, and I'd rather keep Blatche if we're going to move one this year (legitimate concerns there aside). The main problem I see is that we probably only get value for McGee if he shows that improvement, in which case I'd rather keep him. But yeah, if someone makes us a Godfather offer, at this point I'm taking it.

[DCZards]

He'll never be a post-up player, but I think he can evolve into a very good face-up player. If he ever gets reliable with a 17-foot jumper, he'll draw his defenders out far enough to where he can blow past them. He could be Camby with offense.

Camby with offense, huh? I don't know if you've noticed but Camby has been consistently knocking down that 17-foot jumper for years.

[nate33]

He'll never be a post-up player, but I think he can evolve into a very good face-up player. If he ever gets reliable with a 17-foot jumper, he'll draw his defenders out far enough to where he can blow past them. He could be Camby with offense.

Camby with offense, huh? I don't know if you've noticed but Camby has been consistently knocking down that 17-foot jumper for years.

Camby has never averaged more than 13 points per game. He has no offensive moves except scoring on garbage and hitting the 17 footer. And he's really not that great form 17 feet. He's competent enough that you have to respect him, but I wouldn't go so far as to call him "consistent". He's not automatic like Brad Miller out there. He only broke a 47% FG% once in the past 9 years.

I'm saying McGee can get to that point offensively if he hones his jumper. But then, McGee can add to that a few extra offensive moves. Specifically, he is much better at the pump-fake-and-drive for the dunk because he's so fast. McGee is also better at catching lobs in traffic and finishing. I think he could conceivably be like Camby, but average 15-16 points per game instead of 11.

I'm not too worried that he can get there offensively. McGee is already posting better points per minute numbers than any of Camby's last 13 seasons. The key for McGee is to become a much better defensive player so that the coach wants him on the floor for defense too.

[Liverbird]

Welcome aboard, Wrexingcrew! Stay world class.

Rapped in Romance....hilarious

[DCZards]

Camby has never averaged more than 13 points per game. He has no offensive moves except scoring on garbage and hitting the 17 footer.

Thanks for making my point. Camby DOES knock down that 17 footer consistently...whether you've noticed that or not. I hope you're right with the rest of what you said about what McGee COULD learn to do offensively. But, until that happens, he's not nearly as good an offensive player as Camby has become.

And, please spare me the stuff about how many points Camby averages...you know scoring has never been his role on any team he's played on. It kills me when you guys cite numbers like they are the Holy Grail and use them to essentially sum up a player's career---again, that's like knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Camby is an excellent rebounder and shotblocker, and if McGee can become as good as Camby in those two areas, I'll be thrilled...and so will the Zards. I'll leave it at that.