| Getting To Know JaVale McGee Authored by Brain Reynolds - February 13, 2009 - 2:45 pm
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The seven-foot, 240-pound center known as "The Big Secret" was drafted 18th overall in last year's draft by the Wizards as a sophomore out of the University of Nevada, Reno. After having difficulty finding a consistent spot in the rotation for much of the year, McGee has seen the floor quite a bit as of late, averaging 23 minutes in his last seven contests. With his increased playing time, McGee has made a name for himself in Washington's locker room.
"I'm starting to like his energy, I'm starting to like what he's doing out there on both ends of the floor," teammate and two-time All-Star Antawn Jamison told RealGM. "He's strong and he affects the paint. Once he realizes how he really affects the paint, he's going to be an even better basketball player and he'll make us a better basketball team as well."
What sets McGee apart from other seven-footers is his ability to run the floor. He fills in the lane nicely and finishes strong underneath the hoop. His length and athleticism go unmatched around the league. His defense, however, is a work-in-progress. Interim Head Coach Ed Tapscott is trying to get JaVale to learn how to effectively defend the pick-and-roll.
"His athletic ability is obvious to everybody," said Coach Tapscott, "But he needs to learn how to play the NBA game. The drives and dunks are terrific, but he needs to learn how to defend the pick and roll. Those are things that come with experience and he'll get there. He's working on it."
I sat down with JaVale before Tuesday's game in Atlanta and was able to pick his brain about his rookie season in the NBA.
"It's going pretty good," McGee said, "It's a faster pace of game, but I'm trying to be patient and stay consistent. It's hard at times [because of the lack of minutes], but it's something I have to deal with."
McGee added that he should no longer be known as "The Big Secret," because "they know about me now." He has notched a career high of 18 points on three different occasions this year. He averages 4.2 rebounds and one block per game, in just 15.3 minutes of game action.
Although JaVale says he has yet to experience any "rookie hazing," it is obvious that his teammates, especially second-year guard-forward Nick Young, don't let him completely off the hook.
"He wears #34 because that's what his mom wore," teased Young. JaVale's mother, Pamela, played two seasons in the WNBA, making them the first mother-son legacy for the National Basketball Association. JaVale was quick to add, "That's obviously not true because my mom wore number 30." (His father, 6'10" George Montgomery, also was a second-round selection by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1985.)
Don't try and make comparisons to Suns' center Shaquille O'Neal either, who wears #34. "It's just the same number I wore in high school," McGee said.
With Washington buried deep in the cellar, McGee should continue to see the floor and gain lots of valuable experience. We all know that in this league development takes time, and there is no reason to think that JaVale will not be a top center in this league down the road. All the tools are there for a solid NBA career.
So, if you turn on a Wizards game and are not enthused to watch the last place, Gilbert-less club, keep an eye out on JaVale McGee. After all, he is no big secret anymore.
- Brian Reynolds is a contributing writer from Emory University and can be reached at Brian.matthew.reynolds@gmail.com |
