JaVale?
Saturday, Mar. 8, 2008 @ 3:57 am
No player polarizes Nevada fans like JaVale McGee.
It seems like half the fans boo his poor footwork and overly-emotional reactions and half the fans applaud his highlight reel dunks and ridiculous blocks.
Well, the haters need to back off.
When considering McGee as a player, it’s important to remember how far he’s come.
McGee played barely 10 minutes a season ago and contributed little besides the occasional dunk and block. This season he’s played nearly 30 minutes per game, led the Wolf Pack in rebounding and and been second in scoring. Complain all you want about his shortcomings, but McGee worked hard in the offseason and he’s twice the player he was last season.
Anyone who thought the production he’s given this season is a fool. McGee worked hard to make himself a better player, and that’s obvious this season. There’s no reason to think that won’t continue next season. Nevada coach Mark Fox has made a program out of improving players throughout their careers, and it’s stupid to thing McGee won’t make gigantic progress between this season and the next.
Considering that, I still don’t understand all the criticism heaped on McGee. Plain and simple, McGee has spent most of his life as a small forward. He’s still adjusting to being a permanent post player. So yeah, his footwork isn’t the best, he’s often out of position and he gives up a ton of easy points. But attribute most of that to inexperience.
I’ve been hearing people tell me all season that McGee isn’t worthy of making the all-defensive team in the WAC. I disagree. Even considering the mistakes that McGee makes, his mere presence changes the way teams play. Kid’s got a 7-foot-5 wingspan with ridiculous athleticism, and other team have been cautious to challenge that for most of the year. His presence alone changes the way other teams play offense, and fo that he deserves a spot on the all-defensive team.
Now, finally, consider McGee as an NBA prospect. Sure he’s inconsistent, but he’s one of the best athletic packages in the entire country. Even North Carolina doesn’t have a player that can match McGee’s length, athleticism, and skill set. That’s why scouts are after him so hard. Quite simply, he’s more naturally gifted than just about ever player in the country.
If he stays at Nevada for a year or two, he’ll be dominant and show why the NBA loves him so much. He’s skilled and athletic. The problem is that there are tons of players like that sitting on NBA benches or playing in Europe because they never developed.
Trust, at least for now, that McGee will be around to make himself better, and more attractive to the NBA. As frustrating as he may be, McGee is an unbelievable prospect who deserves the opportunity to fulfill his potential with the Wolf Pack.
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