The Amazingly Sucky Javale McGee Thread

[hands11]

I get your point, hands, but it's not quite fair to equate McGee to a senior in college. Yes, the age is comparable, but McGee has been in the pros for three years now. He has 206 NBA games under his belt. If he stayed in school, he would have just 90 more college games.

That is a good point. Hadn't thought of it that way. Thanks.

That said. Did you see those post moves

Flip post game commented about them working with him on that hook and counter moves.

Said he told McGee, be aggressive. He commented how McGee is not avoiding contract as much so he is getting fouled. Also said he understand he will make a bone head move or two a game but told him to keep it to that or less.

This may be the aha moment we are seeing with McGee. I'm actually exited to see if he keeps up the posts moves. He has been doing this for a few games now but none as obvious as this last game.

I believe it is the aha moment for Flip Saunders.

Rather than scolding Javale about what he does wrong and telling him to reign in some of the wild shots a much better approach is to believe in his player's ability to evolve into a great player. When you tell someone that's what you expect from them and you allow them to try things, even if they fail often at first, in the end you're going to be happy with the results. They will grow to their full potential, whatever it is.

I am ready to totally forget the past two seasons of losing and I'm now looking forward to next year, even with Flip as coach if he stays.

In Flips defense, the man has had a warm steamy pile to deal with since he has gotten here. Actually, several warm ones. Maybe now that the roster is shacking out, everyone is getting on the same page more. I think Flip, McGee and Dray getting on the same page will have the biggest effect. I have less worry about Wall, Craw and Nick getting in sync and players like Booker, Mo, and Jeffers ( if the last two are back ) will do whatever you ask of them.

As for McGee, I always thought it would be is offensive game that would develop first and that would lead to more confidence that lead to better defense. His offensive game against CLE was exactly the right approach. That was huge.

I think this team is going to be pretty awesome to watch in two years if they stay the course of the rebuild. Imagine them with two or three more rookies from this years draft.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Flip had Armstrong playing over McGee by choice and said Hilton brought substance and that Javale was style without substance.

I am willing to move forward but the stuff I posted about Saunders missing it and being responsible for a lot of the problems is still the way I feel. When I say Flip had the aha that's that I'm talking about. I have heard this coach say stuff and do stuff that convinced me he undervalued McGee from day one.

That is over and done with, but I don't buy into Flip didn't have much to work with. Hardly true IMO. Flip disregarded many positives as far back as preseason and was talking up Armstrong and not playing McGee. I remember that. That's what got a lot of people down on McGee to begin with IMO.

Regardless, he's been a very good coach for McGee and Young and I see it now myself. I have had an aha moment. It has been better to have this guy ride them and give praise grudgingly--they're all better for it now.

Hopefully, they can be POSITIVE and play with good energy in the future. They'll win far more often when they do that.

[Kanyewest]

^^ I think your overvaluing how good McGee was in the beginning of the season. Even though you feel like McGee is getting underplayed, he is averaging more than 10 mpg than he did last season. Especially with a guy with ashtma, conditioning seems to be a problem. There has been plenty of evidence of McGee not listening to coaches so its not surprising that he got pulled.

That being said, I always thought the Wizards should adopt patience with McGee and not trade him now for the sake of making a move. Look at how much Young improved in year 4. I expect McGee to become an even better player in his contract year.

[Ruzious]

^^ I think your overvaluing how good McGee was in the beginning of the season. Even though you feel like McGee is getting underplayed, he is averaging more than 10 mpg than he did last season. Especially with a guy with ashtma, conditioning seems to be a problem. There has been plenty of evidence of McGee not listening to coaches so its not surprising that he got pulled.

That being said, I always thought the Wizards should adopt patience with McGee and not trade him now for the sake of making a move. Look at how much Young improved in year 4. I expect McGee to become an even better player in his contract year.

Yup. Armstrong was not playing over McGee. McGee's played starters minutes all season long - except when he got in foul trouble. There could have been a game here or there that he got benched for a while, but on the whole, he's played as much or more than a lot of better starting centers have this season.

[hands11]

Flip had Armstrong playing over McGee by choice and said Hilton brought substance and that Javale was style without substance.

I am willing to move forward but the stuff I posted about Saunders missing it and being responsible for a lot of the problems is still the way I feel. When I say Flip had the aha that's that I'm talking about. I have heard this coach say stuff and do stuff that convinced me he undervalued McGee from day one.

That is over and done with, but I don't buy into Flip didn't have much to work with. Hardly true IMO. Flip disregarded many positives as far back as preseason and was talking up Armstrong and not playing McGee. I remember that. That's what got a lot of people down on McGee to begin with IMO.

Regardless, he's been a very good coach for McGee and Young and I see it now myself. I have had an aha moment. It has been better to have this guy ride them and give praise grudgingly--they're all better for it now.

Hopefully, they can be POSITIVE and play with good energy in the future. They'll win far more often when they do that.

This is the part that is hard to prove one way or the other and that probably brings the most frustration to those that didn't like Flips approach. For me, there is enough evidence that McGee was a hard nut to crack. Was there a better way to get to were we are sooner ? Maybe. Maybe not. Flip is an experienced coach and deals with this kid every day and he has other coaches around him to talk with about these decisions. He did what he thought was right to get him were he needed to be. And tanked along the way.

So if we get both results we wanted. Maybe it was the right way to go.

I'm just stoked to see McGee making post moves. And I like they he and McGee seem to be finally getting on the same page. Even better will be to see Dray get there as well.

Lots of work still ahead but good stuff if what we are seeing is a real turning point. It at least appears to be coming together.

[hands11]

^^ I think your overvaluing how good McGee was in the beginning of the season. Even though you feel like McGee is getting underplayed, he is averaging more than 10 mpg than he did last season. Especially with a guy with ashtma, conditioning seems to be a problem. There has been plenty of evidence of McGee not listening to coaches so its not surprising that he got pulled.

That being said, I always thought the Wizards should adopt patience with McGee and not trade him now for the sake of making a move. Look at how much Young improved in year 4. I expect McGee to become an even better player in his contract year.

Ouch. God. I didn't want to have to think about that yet. That is the next more complicated part of this puzzle... keeping what you want at the right price. We already have to deal with the Nick issue. Didnt really want to think about what it would cost to keep McGee.

They need to cap the max yearly contract at about 10M. That should be more than enough
But seriously. Its the contract over that which usually end up screwing the team.

It is so much easier dealing with players on their rookie contracts. I mean is 3-5M dollars a year really so bad? Specially when you are getting that for a min 3 years ? I think most people would be doing back flips if they could rack up 9 to 15 M in 3 years.

But this is the tough part of dealing with rookie bigs. They usually take a while to get it going. Then when they do, you could loose them in a bidding war.

I hate the current CBA.

[nate33]

Resigning McGee won't be a dilemma. McGee is a free agent in 2012, when we're poised to make our move in free agency. If we can get Howard, then we let McGee walk (or S&T him to Orlando). If we don't have a shot at Howard, then we sign McGee long term as our center for the future.

[Ruzious]

Bill Simmons has some nice things to say about Javale while otherwise brutalizing the Wiz with his brand of jockularity. There's almost a reference to CCJ in his 1st sentence.

27. Washington Wizards
The past two Wizards seasons easily could have doubled as an HBO dramedy about a dysfunctional NBA team called "Chocolate City." The pilot episode would have been structured around longtime owner Abe Pollin dying (November 2009) and the team going into a state of flux, as Gilbert Arenas slowly melted down over nasty Internet rumors and Andray Blatche did Andray Blatche things. Within a few episodes, Gilbert's card game with Javaris Crittenton (and their heated aftermath in the locker room, including the guns, the investigation and the suspension) would have been the dominant plot of the first season, with backup plots revolving around lovably wacky Internet billionaire Ted Leonsis buying the team, Andray Blatche as Andray Blatche, and Mike Miller playing entire games without ever breaking a sweat. Then the cliffhanger would have been the Wiz winning the John Wall Sweepstakes.

Season 2? Not quite as exciting; still watchable. You'd have the episode in which Wall did the Dougie and got berated by a national radio personality. You'd have episodes for Gilbert finally getting traded, JaVale McGee emerging as a rebounder/shot-blocker and making the dunk contest (where his crazy mom kissed the judges on the lips), and Flip Saunders making history by getting outcoached by Vinny Del Negro in a game. You'd have emerging characters like Yi Jianlian (the overwhelmed Asian import who can't believe he's on such a crazy team); Kirk Hinrich (the dorky guy from Kansas who has nothing in common with anyone on the team); Nick Young (the gunner who everyone hates playing with -- did you know he hasn't had three assists in a game since mid-January?); Mike Bibby (the old guy who got traded here, took a look around, then told his agent, "I'll give up next year's salary just to get out of here"); and, of course, Andray Blatche as Andray Blatche. Maybe it hasn't been as good as Season 1, but the show has legs now. I'm excited for Season 3.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Bill Simmons has some nice things to say about Javale while otherwise brutalizing the Wiz with his brand of jockularity. There's almost a reference to CCJ in his 1st sentence.

27. Washington Wizards
The past two Wizards seasons easily could have doubled as an HBO dramedy about a dysfunctional NBA team called "Chocolate City." The pilot episode would have been structured around longtime owner Abe Pollin dying (November 2009) and the team going into a state of flux, as Gilbert Arenas slowly melted down over nasty Internet rumors and Andray Blatche did Andray Blatche things. Within a few episodes, Gilbert's card game with Javaris Crittenton (and their heated aftermath in the locker room, including the guns, the investigation and the suspension) would have been the dominant plot of the first season, with backup plots revolving around lovably wacky Internet billionaire Ted Leonsis buying the team, Andray Blatche as Andray Blatche, and Mike Miller playing entire games without ever breaking a sweat. Then the cliffhanger would have been the Wiz winning the John Wall Sweepstakes.

Season 2? Not quite as exciting; still watchable. You'd have the episode in which Wall did the Dougie and got berated by a national radio personality. You'd have episodes for Gilbert finally getting traded, JaVale McGee emerging as a rebounder/shot-blocker and making the dunk contest (where his crazy mom kissed the judges on the lips), and Flip Saunders making history by getting outcoached by Vinny Del Negro in a game. You'd have emerging characters like Yi Jianlian (the overwhelmed Asian import who can't believe he's on such a crazy team); Kirk Hinrich (the dorky guy from Kansas who has nothing in common with anyone on the team); Nick Young (the gunner who everyone hates playing with -- did you know he hasn't had three assists in a game since mid-January?); Mike Bibby (the old guy who got traded here, took a look around, then told his agent, "I'll give up next year's salary just to get out of here"); and, of course, Andray Blatche as Andray Blatche. Maybe it hasn't been as good as Season 1, but the show has legs now. I'm excited for Season 3.

Bill Simmons is lucky Andray's a young guy, probably from the new school.

I don't care if your mom IS crazy, let somebody else say that about an old school brother's mom and see what happens the very first time they see you. If I were a young ball player I'd probably get suspended/arrested and lose a lot of money kicking Simmons' ass.

Under NO circumstances was what he wrote appropriate.

If Tony Kornheiser gets suspended talking about Hannah Storm's dress length and other things, Simmons should be suspended using his national column that guys on a web site can joke about but he shouldn't DARE release. Calling somebody's mother crazy is a no no.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Hinrich is from Iowa. Yi is not a guy who should be surprised. His teammates are probably wondering why he doesn't have more game for all his years in the league,

Chocolate City shouldn't be associated with dysfunctional. It means there are a lot of African Americans in Washington, D. C. .

Simmons wasn't funny to me.

[Illuminaire]

Simmon's job is to use hyperbole and absurdity to create humor. I wouldn't take anything he said seriously.

Also, Bill's main source of information on the Wiz is a personal friend who, to be frank, does not appear to have a nuanced understanding of basketball, statistics, the team or its players. If anyone knows Joe House, tell him to get on RealGM so we can smarten him up a little.

[Zonkerbl]

CCJ, I don't necessarily disagree with you but all the evidence we have now supports two hypotheses equally well:
1) Flip discounted McGee's strengths but has finally seen the light and is allowing McGee to play through mistakes
2) Flip had a zero tolerance policy for boneheaded basketball throughout the year but McGee has finally earned the right to play through one or two boneheaded plays a game by making progress in his rebounding and defense.

Given that Flip has several years of experience as an NBA head coach I'm kind of inclined to believe the latter.

[Spence]

Chocolate City shouldn't be associated with dysfunctional. It means there are a lot of African Americans in Washington, D. C.

At the rate the city's population is changing, the RealGM Wizards board is going to get a member with the nickname Salsa City any day now.

[hands11]

Bill Simmons has some nice things to say about Javale while otherwise brutalizing the Wiz with his brand of jockularity. There's almost a reference to CCJ in his 1st sentence.

27. Washington Wizards
The past two Wizards seasons easily could have doubled as an HBO dramedy about a dysfunctional NBA team called "Chocolate City." The pilot episode would have been structured around longtime owner Abe Pollin dying (November 2009) and the team going into a state of flux, as Gilbert Arenas slowly melted down over nasty Internet rumors and Andray Blatche did Andray Blatche things. Within a few episodes, Gilbert's card game with Javaris Crittenton (and their heated aftermath in the locker room, including the guns, the investigation and the suspension) would have been the dominant plot of the first season, with backup plots revolving around lovably wacky Internet billionaire Ted Leonsis buying the team, Andray Blatche as Andray Blatche, and Mike Miller playing entire games without ever breaking a sweat. Then the cliffhanger would have been the Wiz winning the John Wall Sweepstakes.

Season 2? Not quite as exciting; still watchable. You'd have the episode in which Wall did the Dougie and got berated by a national radio personality. You'd have episodes for Gilbert finally getting traded, JaVale McGee emerging as a rebounder/shot-blocker and making the dunk contest (where his crazy mom kissed the judges on the lips), and Flip Saunders making history by getting outcoached by Vinny Del Negro in a game. You'd have emerging characters like Yi Jianlian (the overwhelmed Asian import who can't believe he's on such a crazy team); Kirk Hinrich (the dorky guy from Kansas who has nothing in common with anyone on the team); Nick Young (the gunner who everyone hates playing with -- did you know he hasn't had three assists in a game since mid-January?); Mike Bibby (the old guy who got traded here, took a look around, then told his agent, "I'll give up next year's salary just to get out of here"); and, of course, Andray Blatche as Andray Blatche. Maybe it hasn't been as good as Season 1, but the show has legs now. I'm excited for Season 3.

Bill Simmons is lucky Andray's a young guy, probably from the new school.

I don't care if your mom IS crazy, let somebody else say that about an old school brother's mom and see what happens the very first time they see you. If I were a young ball player I'd probably get suspended/arrested and lose a lot of money kicking Simmons' ass.

Under NO circumstances was what he wrote appropriate.

If Tony Kornheiser gets suspended talking about Hannah Storm's dress length and other things, Simmons should be suspended using his national column that guys on a web site can joke about but he shouldn't DARE release. Calling somebody's mother crazy is a no no.

Did you mean JaVale instead of Dray ?

As for the comments about JaVale's mom. In a perfect world, mom would always be someone to not comment on. But in this case, she is a celebrity and celebrity moms are exposed to be commented on. I'm not supporting the comment, but I do see it as different then someone commenting on a non public mom.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Chocolate City shouldn't be associated with dysfunctional. It means there are a lot of African Americans in Washington, D. C.

At the rate the city's population is changing, the RealGM Wizards board is going to get a member with the nickname Salsa City any day now.

Soon that member will be joined by Enchilada Enclave, Burrito Barrio, Nacho Neighborhood, and Taco Territory.