The Javale McGee Appreciation Thread

[hands11]

To Summarize.

McGee is the most athletic freak at his size not just in the league but that I am aware of anywhere.

He is 23 and look how far he has come.

At 25 and 26, he is going to dominate.

He hasn't peaked and he isn't going to get worse. The kid is really just getting started.

Do people remember what he looked like only last year and the year before.

Actually, all this is going to be so much more clear by the end of the season. He has just started with the drop step and hoop. He is going to get a lot better and for years to come.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Remember the Dalembert domination of McGee?

Yesterday, the Rockets went to Detroit and Sam Dalembert posted 14 points and 12 rebounds. Greg Monroe shot 2-9 FG, by far his worse game this season.

Before playing against McGee, Dalembert totally shut down Cousins. After McGee, he shut down Monroe.

McGee put up better numbers than the other two did against Dalembert. For all who think Dalembert's a nobody, apparently he is playing well now for Kevin McHale in Houston. Maybe that coach, players like Scola, Lowry, and Martin plus scorers off the bench have helped Dalembert's game.

McGee would look better under different circumstances, IMO.

[rockymac52]

To Summarize.

McGee is the most athletic freak at his size not just in the league but that I am aware of anywhere.

He is 23 and look how far he has come.

At 25 and 26, he is going to dominate.

He hasn't peaked and he isn't going to get worse. The kid is really just getting started.

Do people remember what he looked like only last year and the year before.

Actually, all this is going to be so much more clear by the end of the season. He has just started with the drop step and hoop. He is going to get a lot better and for years to come.

Here's my concern... players who rely on their athleticism typically struggle once they start to age. Once their athleticism starts to decrease (we all age, it's inevitable), they don't know what to do because they relied on their athleticism to get by for so long. Kobe isn't still really good at this age because of his athleticism. It's because he learned lots of skills that didn't require as much athleticism, and he's using them more and more now. Does JaVale McGee have those skills? I hope he's working on them, but I'm not convinced he's going to legitimately be a good player once the athleticism fades away.

Not to mention, I'd have to expect that as a 7 footer, his athleticism is much more likely to fade away at an earlier age than it does for guards. He's only 23, but how much longer is his athleticism going to last? I'm not trying to be pessimistic, it's just something to think about.

[TheBigThree]

Can someone please explain this paradox to me? I know Javale isn't the brightest tool in the shed, that's fine, but I think some of this falls on coaching.

How can Javale fall for virtually every pump fake on defense (yes, he's been a bit better on this than in the past) but NEVER pump fake on the offensive end? His free throw tribulations NEVER should have happened today if he knew how to pump fake rather than simply immediately going up with the ball when he receives it under the basket.

It's baffling to me and I would imagine (hope) the coaching staff.

[nate33]

If McGee pump fakes, there's a chance he could get fouled. That's just giving away points because he can't shoot free throws. I'd rather he continue to go up quickly and strongly.

[hands11]

To Summarize.

McGee is the most athletic freak at his size not just in the league but that I am aware of anywhere.

He is 23 and look how far he has come.

At 25 and 26, he is going to dominate.

He hasn't peaked and he isn't going to get worse. The kid is really just getting started.

Do people remember what he looked like only last year and the year before.

Actually, all this is going to be so much more clear by the end of the season. He has just started with the drop step and hoop. He is going to get a lot better and for years to come.

Here's my concern... players who rely on their athleticism typically struggle once they start to age. Once their athleticism starts to decrease (we all age, it's inevitable), they don't know what to do because they relied on their athleticism to get by for so long. Kobe isn't still really good at this age because of his athleticism. It's because he learned lots of skills that didn't require as much athleticism, and he's using them more and more now. Does JaVale McGee have those skills? I hope he's working on them, but I'm not convinced he's going to legitimately be a good player once the athleticism fades away.

Not to mention, I'd have to expect that as a 7 footer, his athleticism is much more likely to fade away at an earlier age than it does for guards. He's only 23, but how much longer is his athleticism going to last? I'm not trying to be pessimistic, it's just something to think about.

But he has already started to develop more like the hook. That is when he plays better. So how old was Kareem playing using the hook shot ?

I would not worry about McGee slowing down for a while. It won't be until he gets into his 30 range. By then, he will have those moves worked out.

The only thing I worry about with McGee is he space between his ears. And its not even that he is a bad egg. He is just immature.

[TheBigThree]

If McGee pump fakes, there's a chance he could get fouled. That's just giving away points because he can't shoot free throws. I'd rather he continue to go up quickly and strongly.

Disagree completely. If he pump fakes there is a good chance he avoids the defender and is able to get an easy flush. Keep in mind I'm only talking about when he receives the ball underneath the basket, which is what happened in the fourth and he was completely unable to convert.

[Black Eyed Sooz]

JaVale worked on his pump fake over the summer, and actually used it the first couple games to get himself some easy buckets, but for some reason has gotten away from it. Now when he gets it to the left of the rim he forces up a lefty hook which I have yet to see him even come close to making. But I definitely agree with you- someone needs to smack him upside the head and get him back to those pump fakes- if he puts those back into his game, and hits, say 60% at the line,it will be worth an extra $20 million or so come contract time.

[hands11]

http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/2012/0 ... index.html

They just beat OKC

Why does he seem so uncomfortable and unhappy in this post game interview ?

This team has a few strange dudes on it.

I was refreshing to see Nicks interview. At least he smiles.

[nate33]

Here's my concern... players who rely on their athleticism typically struggle once they start to age. Once their athleticism starts to decrease (we all age, it's inevitable), they don't know what to do because they relied on their athleticism to get by for so long. Kobe isn't still really good at this age because of his athleticism. It's because he learned lots of skills that didn't require as much athleticism, and he's using them more and more now.

I don't think this rule applies nearly as much for centers. Centers lose their quickness and gain strength as they age. McGee's game may eventually transform from Tyson Chandler-like to Dikembe Mutombo-like, but I think he'll remain effective for a long long time. Once centers figure out the mental aspects of the game, they don't really need much athleticism. They just need strength and length.

[REDardWIZskin]

http://www.nba.com/wizards/video/2012/01/17/WizardsMinute011712WEBhqmov-1968743/index.html

They just beat OKC

Why does he seem so uncomfortable and unhappy in this post game interview ?

This team has a few strange dudes on it.

I was refreshing to see Nicks interview. At least he smiles.

Was that McGee's post game interview?... the link isn't working for me.

He almost blew the game when he missed 4 FT's down the stretch, he was probably still mad at himself for that.

[cdouglas]

To Summarize.

McGee is the most athletic freak at his size not just in the league but that I am aware of anywhere.

He is 23 and look how far he has come.

At 25 and 26, he is going to dominate.

He hasn't peaked and he isn't going to get worse. The kid is really just getting started.

Do people remember what he looked like only last year and the year before.

Actually, all this is going to be so much more clear by the end of the season. He has just started with the drop step and hoop. He is going to get a lot better and for years to come.

Here's my concern... players who rely on their athleticism typically struggle once they start to age. Once their athleticism starts to decrease (we all age, it's inevitable), they don't know what to do because they relied on their athleticism to get by for so long. Kobe isn't still really good at this age because of his athleticism. It's because he learned lots of skills that didn't require as much athleticism, and he's using them more and more now. Does JaVale McGee have those skills? I hope he's working on them, but I'm not convinced he's going to legitimately be a good player once the athleticism fades away.

Not to mention, I'd have to expect that as a 7 footer, his athleticism is much more likely to fade away at an earlier age than it does for guards. He's only 23, but how much longer is his athleticism going to last? I'm not trying to be pessimistic, it's just something to think about.

Would you say the same for Blake Griffin???

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Ugh. Just read that Mike Wise WaPo piece on Javale and his momma. Oh brother, he will never really get it, will never face up to the legitimate things he has to work on, never - dare I say it -- become a man until she goes away.

Didn't think it possible, but I feel sorry for Flip.

[keynote]

After reading just the headline, my first thought was "Moms, you're not helping."

[keynote]

Pamela and JaVale actually paid UCLA assistant coach Scott Garson to work with McGee over the summer, which he credits for his improved footwork and swooping hook shot. Reached by telephone in Los Angeles, Garson said he found McGee to be a “very hard worker who did everything I asked of him.”

Why is the mother of a millionaire involved in this transaction?

Oof. This whole article made me ill. She comes off *soo* overprotective and overbearing. She's like Jimmy Darmody's mom on "Boardwalk Empire."

[fishercob]

Pamela and JaVale actually paid UCLA assistant coach Scott Garson to work with McGee over the summer, which he credits for his improved footwork and swooping hook shot. Reached by telephone in Los Angeles, Garson said he found McGee to be a “very hard worker who did everything I asked of him.”

Why is the mother of a millionaire involved in this transaction?

My guess is she runs his business affairs, which I think is fairly common in pro sports circles. I know ROger Mason's sister works for him.

Some of her comments were cringeworthy for sure. But I definitely thought of Closg00 when I read this:

“Now, let me ask you: if Orlando gets Dwight Howard and they bring in a big man like Patrick Ewing to work with him, and the Lakers get Andrew Bynum and they bring in Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] to work with him, you would think it would make sense to get a coach like that for JaVale, right?”

Asked if she addressed the concerns with anyone, she nods yes (JaVale’s agent said it would come at their own expense.) The club maintains that assistant coach Don Zierden acts as a big-man coach for JaVale and other post players, and they were unaware of Pamela’s specific concerns.

[Cramer]

Pamela and JaVale actually paid UCLA assistant coach Scott Garson to work with McGee over the summer, which he credits for his improved footwork and swooping hook shot. Reached by telephone in Los Angeles, Garson said he found McGee to be a “very hard worker who did everything I asked of him.”

Why is the mother of a millionaire involved in this transaction?

Oof. This whole article made me ill. She comes off *soo* overprotective and overbearing. She's like Jimmy Darmody's mom on "Boardwalk Empire."

Wow....lol....I'm no McGee fan but I don't think he's banging his mom.

Yea....I was always suspecting but when they went there I gotta say, that was a tad uncomfortable.

[keynote]

Pamela and JaVale actually paid UCLA assistant coach Scott Garson to work with McGee over the summer, which he credits for his improved footwork and swooping hook shot. Reached by telephone in Los Angeles, Garson said he found McGee to be a “very hard worker who did everything I asked of him.”

Why is the mother of a millionaire involved in this transaction?

Oof. This whole article made me ill. She comes off *soo* overprotective and overbearing. She's like Jimmy Darmody's mom on "Boardwalk Empire."

Wow....lol....I'm no McGee fan but I don't think he's banging his mom.

Yeesh! I didn't mean to go that far, either. Just picked the first overbearing fictional mother that came to mind is all.

Besides, Dr. J wouldn't stand for it.

[Black Eyed Sooz]

I think the most disturbing thing about this is what the Wizards are saying their big man coach. Now it's Don who? So, what's the deal with Gene Banks? Wasn't he supposed to be the one in charge of nurturing our post players? At least that's what the Wizards used to answer whenever the question came up in the past. Well, if he was doing such a great job, why isn't he doing it anymore?

As for Pam McGee- what exactly is she doing wrong here? Think about it- if Mike Wise actually went and interviewed every single player's mother, the majority of them would probably say the same thing about their son (i.e. he should play more, he should get coached better, he should get more respect, etc). But not every player has a mom who was in the WNBA and gets interviewed like her. I think she's actually shown some restraint- how many times do you actually hear her in the media talking about JaVale? Maybe 2 or 3 a year, tops?

And for those who think JaVale just does whatever momma says, don't forget what Pam McGee said in summer league a year ago- JaVale pretty much doesn't listen to her when it comes to basketball- he's tuned her out to the point that her advice takes the form of writing him notes on paper and hoping he reads it at some point.

Honestly, if JaVale WAS a momma's boy, he'd probably box out and rebound better than he does.

[keynote]

I don't buy it. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. If Pamela was the great coach she thinks she is, then JaVale would have better fundamentals and a stronger BBall IQ to show for it.

How many coaches' kids - at any level - do you know who exhibit such a tenuous grasp on the basics of the game?