The Javale McGee Appreciation Thread

[doclinkin]

McGee still has a lot to learn and he made some progress in his first full season as a starter. But he often struggled with his on the ball defense and got outplayed or muscled around by competent big men -- namely Howard -- which led him to determine that one of his offseason goals is adding more mass to withstand stronger players. “Muscle,” he said, “not fat.”

McGee plans to work with a big man coach to help him with his game this summer. “I got some people in mind,” he said, adding that he is focusing on ‘Getting better, getting bigger, getting faster, getting more conditioned and controlling my asthma. I think it came better, I definitely progressed during the season, I think next year will be bigger and better things.”

Insider. But then he goes on to defend himself regarding the end-to-end dribble-TO propensity... [roll eyeball gif here]

Granted, Flip sticks him out there again, getting his back up.

JV: Just please, find games with real quality NBA bigs, hit the IMG academy or something, no more dunking on six foot centers in the Cali LAX Runs.

[dangermouse]

Ah, I like the attitude and enthusiasm, and recognition of the parts of his game that need work. Hopefully the big man coach slaps some sense into him about that coast to coast dribbling. Coach the guard out of him, coach the Mrs McGee's ball handling lessons out of him. Its helpful but he needs to learn to pick his spots.

I dont mind him trying to get it up the court off a long rebound or something, like Shawn Kemp used to do. But he needs to realise when that is a good idea, and when it isnt, and that it is very, very rarely a good idea. Just look for Wall and keep galloping ahead...

Be great if that coach also hits him up about rebounding and boxing out.

[Induveca]

Let's hope Javale finds some steroids this offseason, preferably the ones that are out of your system prior to testing and a solid European trainer who is used to dosing these things legally in some of the sports over here. (Dwight Howard should lend him his guy, yes I firmly believe Howard has juiced significantly at some point.......and obviously Karl Malone did.)

Unfortunately looking at him, I think the only way he fills out is that sort of regimen. Also, to train THAT hard at his size will require he sticks around the Verizon center all summer to take advantage of their oversized weight equipment and trainers, OR do the unthinkable and link up with a serious NBA or NFL experienced trainer. McGee seems like the type who will head to Miami or LA instead and chase tail.

He'll still be skinny next year.

[keynote]

McGee still has a lot to learn and he made some progress in his first full season as a starter. But he often struggled with his on the ball defense and got outplayed or muscled around by competent big men -- namely Howard -- which led him to determine that one of his offseason goals is adding more mass to withstand stronger players. “Muscle,” he said, “not fat.”

McGee plans to work with a big man coach to help him with his game this summer. “I got some people in mind,” he said, adding that he is focusing on ‘Getting better, getting bigger, getting faster, getting more conditioned and controlling my asthma. I think it came better, I definitely progressed during the season, I think next year will be bigger and better things.”

Insider.

I'm all for McGee finding another big man coach to work with. Some guys will tune out wise counsel from those close to them, only to accept the same advice from a third party more removed from the situation. In particular, a glory-seeker like McGee might find it easier to listen to a Former All-Star Big than a no-name professional "big man coach" like our very own Gene Banks.

[nate33]

Let's hope Javale finds some steroids this offseason, preferably the ones that are out of your system prior to testing and a solid European trainer who is used to dosing these things legally in some of the sports over here. (Dwight Howard should lend him his guy, yes I firmly believe Howard has juiced significantly at some point.......and obviously Karl Malone did.)

Unfortunately looking at him, I think the only way he fills out is that sort of regimen. Also, to train THAT hard at his size will require he sticks around the Verizon center all summer to take advantage of their oversized weight equipment and trainers, OR do the unthinkable and link up with a serious NBA or NFL experienced trainer. McGee seems like the type who will head to Miami or LA instead and chase tail.

He'll still be skinny next year.

Nice post. Depressing, but probably accurate.

Frankly, half our team could probably use a nice round of "juicing". Wall, Blatche, Young and McGee all need to add significant muscle mass. I suppose Wall probably deserves a pass given his age. He seems to have bulked up a little bit over the course of the season, which ain't easy to do.

[DMVleGeND]

Let's hope Javale finds some steroids this offseason, preferably the ones that are out of your system prior to testing and a solid European trainer who is used to dosing these things legally in some of the sports over here. (Dwight Howard should lend him his guy, yes I firmly believe Howard has juiced significantly at some point.......and obviously Karl Malone did.)

Unfortunately looking at him, I think the only way he fills out is that sort of regimen. Also, to train THAT hard at his size will require he sticks around the Verizon center all summer to take advantage of their oversized weight equipment and trainers, OR do the unthinkable and link up with a serious NBA or NFL experienced trainer. McGee seems like the type who will head to Miami or LA instead and chase tail.

He'll still be skinny next year.

McGee has the frame to add a lot of muscle, but the question is does he have the work ethic and dedication to add more?

[CaPtaiN eYeSaNo]

Perhaps his metabolism is too high. May I suggest that he put some rocks in his pockets.

[dobrojim]

a couple of the folks that vote for DPOY apparently don't
actually watch any games.

One voter didn't give any votes to Dwight Howard.
Javale actually got a couple votes. Go figure.

[fishercob]

From that same Michael Lee story on Javale:

But will he stop trying to grab rebounds and take off dribbling? In the season finale in Cleveland, McGee took off dribbling and lost the ball the Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson, who found J.J. Hickson for a dunk. Coach Flip Saunders had a nice comfy seat ready for him.

“I told him, it was probably fitting that was his last play of the season doing that because you won’t be doing that anymore,” Saunders said he told McGee in his exit interview. “Either you’re being defiant or you really don’t understand. I think what happens is, JaVale is like a young pony that all of sudden got let out of the barn. He’s running around, he’s happy and having fun. Sometimes, he’ll start taking off and then he stops and it clicks, like, ‘Oh, I’m not supposed to be doing this.’ The thing is, he does have great talent. We have to continue to work on him, because sometimes, he can do those kinds of things, more controlled, but that’s going to be down the road.”

McGee was asked why he tries to dribble so much. “I wasn’t always 7-foot. And I always had ball-handling,” McGee said. “Look, everybody make mistakes in their life, right?”

But doesn’t he realize how much it upsets his coaching staff? “Definitely, but everybody can’t happy. We’re all imperfect. You can’t expect me to be perfect,” McGee said, cracking a smile when he was reminded of his behind-the-back pass to Othyus Jeffers for a dunk during a win against Boston. “Finally went through. Take that.”

We're still plainly dealing with a CHILD who is more comfortable with excuses than accountability. The point isn't to be perfect, Vale. It's to try to be perfect all the time -- to really work at it. That's how you get better. To openly defy one's coach's wishes and rationalize it with "hey, sorry I'm not perfect" is some straight adolescent bullsh*t. Grow up baby boy!

It furthers my view that FLip is handling Vale's PT just fine. It's the only way he can get through to the kid on what type of behavior is allowed on court. Perhaps there's another coach out there than can make Javale want to be a better player -- you know, act like an adult and a professional -- but as far as I'm concerned that is on the player. The guy made $1.6M this year. He shouldn't need a babysitter.

[Dat2U]

Yeah, I have no problem with Javale's PT. He's gotten enough minutes. Personally I wouldn't have even started him, but that's just me. Well, check that. I would have preferred that we bring someone of quality in so Javale wouldn't have to start. That's a better way of saying it. Javale just gets outclassed by the bigger, elite centers in the league and excels against lesser competition. I still sort of lean to the notion that Javale is better suited as a super sub off the bench for 24-28 minutes a night, mainly b/c of the questions regarding his defense. I know CCJ hates me saying this but I question how far we can go with Javale as a starting center? The b-ball IQ just isn't there, especially on the defensive end.

[MF23]

I think Javale is more philosophical than people realize he doesn't express his complexities in a logical way. I think he's a good young man who will continue to grow on and off the court. I can really see him becoming a good player he just needs to surround himself with stuff that won't mislead him.

I disagree with you Doc, I don't read him as another guy who going to just try to get his wet during the offseason. Like most guys myself included I think he will try to have fun but I think he has more fortitude than your giving him credit for.

[Zonkerbl]

I guess the question is, is he stubborn or stupid?

He doesn't seem stupid, so he's just stubborn. That's kind of what you want in a basketball player, you want them to stubbornly believe they can win, for example. But with that comes a stubborn belief that they are playing basketball the right way. You have to make the player believe that whatever changes are implemented in their style of play is their own idea. That's tricky.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Yeah, I have no problem with Javale's PT. He's gotten enough minutes. Personally I wouldn't have even started him, but that's just me. Well, check that. I would have preferred that we bring someone of quality in so Javale wouldn't have to start. That's a better way of saying it. Javale just gets outclassed by the bigger, elite centers in the league and excels against lesser competition. I still sort of lean to the notion that Javale is better suited as a super sub off the bench for 24-28 minutes a night, mainly b/c of the questions regarding his defense. I know CCJ hates me saying this but I question how far we can go with Javale as a starting center? The b-ball IQ just isn't there, especially on the defensive end.

Javale rarely gets outclassed by anyone. Howard, Horford, Chandler, Amare, Noah are all each at least three years older than Javale. Greg Monroe is the one guy younger who outplayed him thoroughly.

http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fa ... /11/30/428

He is the 18th ranked C on this site, with noone younger ahead of him.

http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fa ... s/11/6/eff

The Wizards offensively were 5.6 points better and the defense was 1.2 points better (Per 100 possesions, both) with McGee ON the court. He finished at +6.8, the highest on the team (except for Jeffers' CRAZY good +15.3, and Owen's +14.3).

McGee finished with a PER of 17.4 (15 is average). His ORtg, DRtg, PER, eFG, DefRb%, TotalRb%, foul rate and turnover rate were all BETTER this season.

http://www.82games.com/1011/10WAS22.HTM

Dat, I'm only going to say McGee is skinny and not a true C IMO. Still, IMO he was quite effective. IMO he should have played 35 minutes a game. I would pair him with a big PF and move Blatche before I'd move McGee.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

McGee is black and a big man. Therefore, he MUST be a banger in the lane. He must NEVER dribble the ball much. He MUST be big and strong or else he sucks.

Said that without green font because I believe those are views I think most of you have towards McGee.

You guys don't look at turnover ratio at all. You are ILLOGICAL and BIASED. MCGEE TURNED THE BALL OVER LESS THAN EVER but that's NOT what you want to think. Look and find 1.7 turnovers per 36 minutes and try to process that rate is LESS than in the past. HE DOES NOT TURN THE BALL OVER MUCH!

Maybe the caps are offensive, but I'm frustrated today about some non-Realgm stuff (sorry).

To me, Javale is absolutely right. I've seen him dribble the length of the court and finish more than once. He has a great handle for a player his height. Why the race comment above? In my opinion, if Javale had played in Europe he might have had the benefit of being tutored the same way Dirk or Pau or Andrea Bargnani were on perimeter skills. Bigs who can shoot away from the basket, like LaMarcus Aldridge are highly coveted. Being able to handle the ball on the wing and beat a big to the basket is EXACTLY what Javale could do easier than bang his way to the basket.

Instead of looking at McGee just as he is, everybody seems to discredit the athleticism, creativity and skill and they get mad at him for trying stuff WHEN IT FAILS. The only way that dude dunked three basketballs is he had to try to first.

Man, I say McGee plays harder than anybody on the team. Booker, Crawford, Wall play no harder. McGee fails to convert on non dunks a lot of the time. He's a bad FT shooter. I will give you that.

But just months ago I read where he has no post skills and no offensive game and shouldn't get shots--from non other than Nivek. Now Dat says the Wizards won't go far with McGee. I'm sorry guys but I couldn't disagree more.

Javale is not perfect. I love his attitude. Believe in yourself even when nobody else does. The guy is a MAJOR asset to this team.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

McGee IMO needs to develop a pretty consistent, high-release, mid-range jumper.

He needs to perfect the hook shot.

He should by all means practice beating slower bigs off the dribble.

HOWEVER, he can really improve his game by becoming a WILLING PASSER. If he can throw behind the back passes how many normal assists can this guy get. His area to improve the most would be to simply kick the ball back out to the open shooter. Then, re-post. McGee can really improve a lot, still.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I think Javale is more philosophical than people realize he doesn't express his complexities in a logical way. I think he's a good young man who will continue to grow on and off the court. I can really see him becoming a good player he just needs to surround himself with stuff that won't mislead him.

I disagree with you Doc, I don't read him as another guy who going to just try to get his wet during the offseason. Like most guys myself included I think he will try to have fun but I think he has more fortitude than your giving him credit for.

+1

[Nivek]

McGee is black and a big man. Therefore, he MUST be a banger in the lane. He must NEVER dribble the ball much. He MUST be big and strong or else he sucks.

Said that without green font because I believe those are views I think most of you have towards McGee.

You guys don't look at turnover ratio at all. You are ILLOGICAL and BIASED. MCGEE TURNED THE BALL OVER LESS THAN EVER but that's NOT what you want to think. Look and find 1.7 turnovers per 36 minutes and try to process that rate is LESS than in the past. HE DOES NOT TURN THE BALL OVER MUCH!

Maybe the caps are offensive, but I'm frustrated today about some non-Realgm stuff (sorry).

To me, Javale is absolutely right. I've seen him dribble the length of the court and finish more than once. He has a great handle for a player his height. Why the race comment above? In my opinion, if Javale had played in Europe he might have had the benefit of being tutored the same way Dirk or Pau or Andrea Bargnani were on perimeter skills. Bigs who can shoot away from the basket, like LaMarcus Aldridge are highly coveted. Being able to handle the ball on the wing and beat a big to the basket is EXACTLY what Javale could do easier than bang his way to the basket.

Instead of looking at McGee just as he is, everybody seems to discredit the athleticism, creativity and skill and they get mad at him for trying stuff WHEN IT FAILS. The only way that dude dunked three basketballs is he had to try to first.

Man, I say McGee plays harder than anybody on the team. Booker, Crawford, Wall play no harder. McGee fails to convert on non dunks a lot of the time. He's a bad FT shooter. I will give you that.

But just months ago I read where he has no post skills and no offensive game and shouldn't get shots--from non other than Nivek. Now Dat says the Wizards won't go far with McGee. I'm sorry guys but I couldn't disagree more.

Javale is not perfect. I love his attitude. Believe in yourself even when nobody else does. The guy is a MAJOR asset to this team.

CCJ -- I'm hoping you're not implying I'm racist because of my analysis of McGee.

And, I NEVER said McGee shouldn't get shots. What I've said all season long is that McGee isn't skilled enough (YET), nor does he have the hoops IQ (YET) for the Wizards to run their offense through him, or for him to be a viable low post option. I have ALWAYS thought that he could develop the necessary skills by working on his game. I have ALWAYS thought he could develop the basketball IQ by listening to his coaches, studying game film and improving his focus during games.

I predicted at the beginning of the season that he'd emerge as one of the team's future building blocks. I don't think he's to the "building block" status, but I continue to think he's a significant asset. I think he could become one of the best centers in the game -- IF he'll get to work on becoming that player.

It really bothers me to see you imply that people are racist because they don't agree with your views on McGee.

[TGW]

LOL CCJ.

I'm a black man (a very black man) -- and I'll tell you McGee is dumb from a basketball perspective. Has nothing to do with race. If someone tells you not to do something because of effect X, and you do it anyway although you were warned of the reason(s) not to do it, I would think it's safe to say that either a) you're a poor listener or b) you're dumb.

I like Mcgee and think he can be a spectacular player in a few years. Right now, he's an average center. And average in the sense that his positives are on par with his negatives. I will admit that he made some progress this year. Instead of being a "one step forward, two steps back" type of player, he took just one step back. Hopefully next year, its two steps forward and one step back. And then no steps back. That's what I'm hoping for. I don't want to see mistakes this year being made next year.

[Induveca]

I'd force McGee to watch Camby during his prime...........the guy was great with the Knicks and had some very solid years with Denver as well. Skinny, but still a major force in the paint and on the glass.

And a few tapes of Mutombo as well..........the man could barely jump but blocked shots with ease just by keeping his arms up.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

McGee is black and a big man. Therefore, he MUST be a banger in the lane. He must NEVER dribble the ball much. He MUST be big and strong or else he sucks.

Said that without green font because I believe those are views I think most of you have towards McGee.

You guys don't look at turnover ratio at all. You are ILLOGICAL and BIASED. MCGEE TURNED THE BALL OVER LESS THAN EVER but that's NOT what you want to think. Look and find 1.7 turnovers per 36 minutes and try to process that rate is LESS than in the past. HE DOES NOT TURN THE BALL OVER MUCH!

Maybe the caps are offensive, but I'm frustrated today about some non-Realgm stuff (sorry).

To me, Javale is absolutely right. I've seen him dribble the length of the court and finish more than once. He has a great handle for a player his height. Why the race comment above? In my opinion, if Javale had played in Europe he might have had the benefit of being tutored the same way Dirk or Pau or Andrea Bargnani were on perimeter skills. Bigs who can shoot away from the basket, like LaMarcus Aldridge are highly coveted. Being able to handle the ball on the wing and beat a big to the basket is EXACTLY what Javale could do easier than bang his way to the basket.

Instead of looking at McGee just as he is, everybody seems to discredit the athleticism, creativity and skill and they get mad at him for trying stuff WHEN IT FAILS. The only way that dude dunked three basketballs is he had to try to first.

Man, I say McGee plays harder than anybody on the team. Booker, Crawford, Wall play no harder. McGee fails to convert on non dunks a lot of the time. He's a bad FT shooter. I will give you that.

But just months ago I read where he has no post skills and no offensive game and shouldn't get shots--from non other than Nivek. Now Dat says the Wizards won't go far with McGee. I'm sorry guys but I couldn't disagree more.

Javale is not perfect. I love his attitude. Believe in yourself even when nobody else does. The guy is a MAJOR asset to this team.

CCJ -- I'm hoping you're not implying I'm racist because of my analysis of McGee.

And, I NEVER said McGee shouldn't get shots. What I've said all season long is that McGee isn't skilled enough (YET), nor does he have the hoops IQ (YET) for the Wizards to run their offense through him, or for him to be a viable low post option. I have ALWAYS thought that he could develop the necessary skills by working on his game. I have ALWAYS thought he could develop the basketball IQ by listening to his coaches, studying game film and improving his focus during games.

I predicted at the beginning of the season that he'd emerge as one of the team's future building blocks. I don't think he's to the "building block" status, but I continue to think he's a significant asset. I think he could become one of the best centers in the game -- IF he'll get to work on becoming that player.

It really bothers me to see you imply that people are racist because they don't agree with your views on McGee.

The racist part was not about disagreeing with me but about typecasting McGee's game in general. It definitely wasn't directed at you or anyone specifically. What if his name were Javius McGhelius? Would folks care if he tried to dribble once in a while?

Nivek no way would I even go there. You racist? Man, my post must need editing... I am sorry you took what I said that way. No.

Now as far as shots go, that's what I thought you said about McGee--limit his shots.

Posting on the IPod Touch and very tired/busy right now. My whole point was folks reflexively say Javale's game should be in paint only. I think he needs to develop from outside to inside and to take advantage of his combo of length, speed, athleticism to go over and around not necessarily through.