Brendan Who?
by JakeTheSnake on Oct 9, 2008 12:49 AM EDT
in Player Analysis
42 comments
Okay, maybe that's a little extreme. But 20 points (on 8-12 shooting), 8 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots in 27 minutes is nothing to sneeze at, especially coming from your the guy that's supposed to be our project player.
Coming off of a performance like that, we have to decide that either:
- JaVale isn't the raw, developing player that we all thought he would be, or...
- We're putting way too much stock into one preseason game.
Having not seen any of the game (since I wasn't one of the 7,176 in attendance at the FedEx Forum tonight) I cant really say which it was for sure yet. Precedent would dictate that we're likely dealing with option #2, but that isn't to say that option #1 isn't at play here either.
There have been lots of centers that have passed through this league and never sniffed a stat line like that, even in a preseason game. Certainly, it's not something that we should get used to expecting out of him every night, but seeing production like this so soon makes me think that we're much closer to that time than we thought we were when he was drafted in June.
0 recs |
42 comments
Email
Print
Comments
Disclaimer
This was written at 12:50 a.m. If this doesn’t make any sense, that’s the reason
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
by JakeTheSnake on Oct 9, 2008 12:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And maybe....
Marc Gasol can’t guard an NBA-caliber athlete to save his life…..but hey, McGee looked a’ight against Dallas…..so let’s just say he’s ‘ahead of schedule’ (where have I heard that before?)
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
by Truth About It on Oct 9, 2008 1:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
My favorite quote from Ivan's report:
…the kid is just coming out to play. No woofing and fake tough guy stuff, just ball.
Eddie Jordan also had a funny quote….light in the pants?
For a guy that’s athletic and a little light in the pants, he sticks his nose in there and that shows that he’s willing to do the things he has to do to make us successful."
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
by Truth About It on Oct 9, 2008 3:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I usually say
Light in the diaper. Better assonance. So to speak.
by doclinkin on Oct 9, 2008 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha! Ha!
I like that…but I hope you have kids….otherwise, I’m not sure why that would be a usual saying.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
by Truth About It on Oct 9, 2008 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he means lack of build
For a 7-footer, he’s a little thin.
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Oct 9, 2008 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Especially in boxing out. The ass is an underrespected tool in the game of basketball. But it’s one reason why guys like Charles Barkley was such a terror on the low block. One reason why Shaq is unstoppable, it’s his deadly weapon. Guys like our Wes, Paul Millsapp, Elton Brand, Jason Maxiell, etc, they might have no neck and therefore no height, but they have that low powerful center of gravity you need to dislodge your man off the block, and the long arms needed to lasso those long bounces. Got to respect the ass, man.
by doclinkin on Oct 9, 2008 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It should be part of the pre-draft measurement...
Then check me on the Bog. I’d be all about: “this guy has an ass to mass ratio that’s historically large… that’s a ninety-five pound ASS, it’s larger than most point guards… you could bump a rhino from zimbabwe to zaire with an ass like that…”
and so on.
by doclinkin on Oct 9, 2008 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe Jake coined a term for this
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Oct 9, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Option #2
This is one preseason game. I am always trying to be optimistic, but I would be very surprised if you ever see this kind of line from the kid this year during the regular season. Not sure he’ll see the minutes, even with BTH’s injury.
by AndNone on Oct 9, 2008 6:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed...
as stated above M.Gasol is slow in every way, the type of center born to be abused by the physically talented. Still, being optimistic is in a fan’s job description, so let’s enjoy.
by mlarroca on Oct 9, 2008 6:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On the other hand
Marc Gasol is more typical of the Centers in this League than, say Dwight Howard… Hey, speaking of Dwight… didn’t he come into the League and make an impact right away?
Maybe everyone has it wrong. Maybe mobile, freakishly athletic big men are an exception to the “Big men take longer to develop” rule.
Perhaps a physically gifted, hard working youngster like McGee is just the type of player to make an immediate impact.
Or, maybe I’ve been drinking the Kool-Ade
by Rook6980 on Oct 9, 2008 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I expect him to develop quicker than many
Because most true Bigs are genetic anomalies. This kid comes by it honestly as a product of the NBA breeding program. Same as Yao Ming, son of two pro Chinese ballers. His athleticism is integrated to his frame. And as for training he’s had a ball in his hand since birth, has been around the game, and has been pretty tall a while now.
Except. He’s put on 30 pounds in 2 years. Was sub210 lbs coming out of highschool, is pushing 240 now. And until recently was more of a Jared Jeffries wannabe guard type. He hasn’t been Big for very long, so while his offensive skills may be well-developed, since you can practice that alone in a gym, his defensive skills will lag behind. He’s never been physically able to just sit on a guy to keep him out of the action, has never developed that low base/low center of gravity, and like many instinctual shot-blockers, he likes to stay on his toetips to be ready for the quick jump. He’ll be shoved around for a while until he learns to get low and wide. And strong.
He’ll get better. And Bigger. He’s got a frame that can take more weight and use it well. But in the mean time, yeah, low-block slobberknockers will shove him around a bit. He may still block their shots anyway unless they finish strong. He’s long and quick enough to fall backwards and still recover.
Again, like I been advertising since the day after we got him and I thought about it, in the 20 years of data in the draft we haven’t seen many with this combination of length and athletics. Only two players in the DraftExpress database have anything close to the combo of ups and standing reach that this kid has: Dwight Supaman Howard and the young Shaq.
He’ll be alright. Not a polished product but fun to watch develop. And with potential unmatched by anybody if he can harness and train it. Just saying, again, there’s a chance we got our lotto quality players right here if we just develop them right.
by doclinkin on Oct 9, 2008 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Uhh...
I would say that Marc Gasol is more towards the lumbering end of the spectrum…but impressive in the Olympics nonetheless.
Dwight Howard is far from a lumbering big man……but if you were talking about size, maybe you have a point.
I also think that when he came into the league, Howard had more of a solid frame than McGee.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
by Truth About It on Oct 9, 2008 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True,
Howard was a manchild straight out of highschool. Wasn’t he the top pick that draft? Top 3 anyway.
But Javale has put on 30 pounds in 3 years. And he’s not getting any shorter. And Dwight similarly was out of place defensively, hey the Olympics suggested he still is. But shoot if the only player we have to compare to JVMcG is Dwight Howard then he’s in pretty good company. So Rook’s point seems relevant who is bigger and quicker? Tyson maybe? (Again, a top 3 pick who took a while to develop but is now a top 10 center).
Point being I don’t expect instant success. But he’ll get there quicker than many, and farther than most. It will take him longer to maximize his potential, but in part becasue his potential is higher. HIs jumper is already better than Dwight’s. That first bucket in the league was really pretty baseline jumper. If this was a losing team with low expectations (like most of the team’s with top quality picks) we’d expect him to play a ton regardless of his mistakes. Brendan going down means he gets the opportunity. Prob’ly.
The caveat on all of this being of course, health. Pray, pray ‘mercy’ from the gawds of basketball…
by doclinkin on Oct 9, 2008 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At this point....
I’ll definitely agree with the quicker part because McGee comes from a basketball family, literally growing up with his stroller courtside, and his offensive game seems to be eons ahead of Howard and Chandler….perhaps even right now.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
by Truth About It on Oct 9, 2008 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Finesse
This is something McGee has that Howard doesn’t. As dominating as Howard is, his game is nothing but brute strength and athleticism. I would hope that this performance will appease some frustrations about the pick.
A performance like this has to say a lot about the kid. BTH just went down for a long period of time. Regardless of when you got to Washington, the starting center is out for a while and nobody needed to say that someone is going to need to step up bigtime and fill that hole. The fact that something inside this kid responded with 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks says something to me. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and say that this game wasn’t a fluke, rather just a case of a player taking advantage of an opportunity.
I’ve always thought this kid was a player. doc is makin a lot of sense to me. We really havent ever seen a player with his combination of size, athleticism, and skill. Dwight Howard and Tyson Chandler will never spend a second in the gym working on 16-18 foot jumpers as part of their arsenal – they just dont have it. McGee does – this kid has range. All he lacks in my eyes right now is bulk and time. I don’t think he will ever be as powerful as Howard or as nasty as Chandler…I’d say Chandler is the closest comparison. I really think that in a couple of years we are going to see a player who blocks shots and mans the paint like Tyson Chandler but plays offense like an old school Chris Webber. He’s gonna be good folks.
by Romans12 on Oct 9, 2008 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He'll see minutes
Believe it. That’s what I’ve been saying about Haywood being out.
Think about it, honestly, realistically, what are the chances Etan stays healthy all year? What’s the likelihood either of Darius or Dray stays out of foul trouble in any given game?
JV will get play on the varsity squad, D-League be damned, we’re gonna need this kid. In the short term we’ll get our ass handed to us on some nights. In the long term we’ll be the better for it.
And Marc Gasol is slow in every physical way, but mentally sharp. The guys on the Olympic team were impressed with him, Kobe said LA should’ve kept his rights. Fact is there are more centers in the league with Marc Gasol’s athleticism than there are ath-elites like our boy Big Mopey. Some nights he’ll school ‘em, some nights he’ll get shoved around. But nobody will out-quick him in the open court. Hell, he beat Dee Brown down court on a fast break after they were fighting over a ball. The Big Man usually trails on the break, never leads the break. Just saying, we’ll be interesting most nights. May not win all the time, but a few plays per game we’re gonna be fun to watch. We’ll see.
by doclinkin on Oct 9, 2008 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yea....he'll see minutes, but
Knowing Eddie Jordan, McGee still has a ways to go before he earns his trust….i.e., you might see D-Song as more of an option at center sometimes (boy, won’t that make Wizards fans mad….but he’s the coach and we are not – BTW, it won’t necessarily make me angry).
But then again, EJ may/should him opting for McGee more of a necessity now (of course)…but on the trust thing, it’s so far, so good with JaVale (I’m assuming) — let’s see what this kid does for the rest of the pre-season before we put him on the all-rookie team.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
by Truth About It on Oct 9, 2008 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I share the both the optimism
(JV may be special) and the realism (Eddie Jordan giving him a veteran’s minutes doesn’t seem likely) On M. Gasol, I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I respect the guy for cutting out the potato chips and losing the pudge so he could be one of the better centers in the Spanish league where he beat up on PJ Ramos and others. I also find it commendable that, like JCN, he’s taking a serious pay cut to find out how good he really is. Still, I don’t know how quick he is mentally. In the first game against the States, Gasol was matched up with Carmelo Anthony when Coach K went small and you could see the guy just a mental step slow. Back him down or swing the ball? Backed him down after thinking about it and the weak-side help got over easy. And what is Kobe going to say, having Pau on his team. But hell, what do I know, I’m still paying off last year’s bet that Juan Dixon would have a better year than JCN.
by mlarroca on Oct 9, 2008 10:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Funny.
I watched baby bro Marc in the ACB league on stolen internet feed a couple years back. The guy was like a point center for them. Pick and roll, passing, midrange skill on the pick and pop. Occasionally he gets caught in indecision, but usually makes the right choice. I suspect he doesn’t do so well in Memphis since his team is chockfulla ‘me’-guys who don’t want to pass and don’t know how to use a pick.
On the other hand he’s got the same birthday as Eddie Jordan, so astrologically he’s probably a total idiot who doesn’t know how to change his own Depends undergarments… Oh wait, this isn’t the RealGM site is it?
I’m tired of coach-whining.
Actually remember: EJ played Jarvis heavy minutes as a rook. Played Nick Young a ton compared to most rookies on winning teams, Dom played in 70 some-dd games. The offense takes a while to learn, but if you can score regardless you get minutes one way or the other.
And honestly, who expects Etan to be healthy all 82 games?
by doclinkin on Oct 9, 2008 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand your point about coach whining . . .
will he really play Javale McGee instead of going with Blatche at C and Songaila at PF?
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Oct 9, 2008 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe not
But Dray and DS9 both almost fouled out in the first half of each of the past two games. Preseason games. Against the dominating Memphis frontline of some Iranian kid and who else again? There are definite minutes for anyone who plays with ‘effort’ and who plays within the offense.
Pesh got yanked for jacking a quick shot. JVale stayed and played because he forced turnovers and ran on both ends, offense/defense. Eddie plays the guy who works the hardest regardless of whether he’s as effective as the guy in front of him. As long as the kid is working his tail off, he’ll be out there a few minutes a game.
by doclinkin on Oct 9, 2008 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
detractors
It doesn’t matter how many minutes McGee gets this year – it won’t be enough to satisfy the Jordan haters out there.
Last year, all we heard about was that Eddie didn’t play McGuire enough – or that he should start Young instead of Stevenson; even though McGuire played 10 minutes a game and got in 75 games last year – and Young didn’t do anything to deserve to be a starter.
I look to see JaVale getting the same type of minutes Mcguire got last year. 7-10 minutes a game…. spot duty. Even with his improvement during the Summer, his work in Training Camp, the impressive displays in the scrimmages, and the last two pre-season games – he’s still just a Rookie – and Eddie will play Jamison and Songaila at Center if has to.
by Rook6980 on Oct 9, 2008 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
we're on the same page, rook
The only qualifier I’d put is that it’s entirely possible the kid earns extra minutes as the year goes on. Earning ‘Nick Young’ type minutes more than Dmac minutes. Eddie likes guys who can score. JaVale does that part easily, it’s defense where his liabilities show up the starkest. But who cares about that.
by doclinkin on Oct 9, 2008 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
this is the Wizards. Who gives a shit about defense? Score points damnit.
by Romans12 on Oct 9, 2008 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
defense? - who needs it...
Hey – the last time the Wizards didn’t care about defense (2005) , they were a few traveling calls and a 3-pointer away from the Eastern Conference Title playoff match up against Detroit.
by Rook6980 on Oct 9, 2008 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blue, White, and Gold Colored Glasses?
I know we played some tight games against Miami back then, but we did get swept. To say that we were a few plays away from winning that series is an extreme stretch.
I have to admire your optimism, though. :)
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
by cuppettcj on Oct 9, 2008 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess it’s hard to convey sarcasm while text blogging
by Rook6980 on Oct 9, 2008 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
I might have picked up on it a lot easier if the Wizards weren’t actually a better team back when they didn’t care about defense. Crazy as it was, they were. So is it really sarcasm when what you say is mostly true?
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
by cuppettcj on Oct 9, 2008 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow
how quickly things can change. on draft night and throughout summer league everyone here was so bummed out about this kid that i considered calling suicide watch. now we think he may contribute right away. im not going to let my opinion be changed by one preseason game, but its certainly good to see him succeed, especially in light of the haywood injury
by joshp on Oct 9, 2008 10:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know...isn't it exciting?
I’ll take Grunfeld proving wrong my pessimism about his moves any day of the week.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
by Truth About It on Oct 9, 2008 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not me
I was pissed all draft night after we dropped Billy Walkaa (his new name in Beantown I’m sure). BUt woke up the next morning and realized, shoot, we couldn’t have drafted Hibbert and Rush anyway, so no crying over spilled chai latte.
Researched the kid and was pretty astounded by some of his measurables.
Then I went ahead and embarrassed myself all over the Bog acting as his PR agent. So I’m happy to have company out on that limb. Again, I don’t expect 20 8 and 3 every night. Hell the KFB had nice lines for us in his rookie preseason games. BUt I expect to see flashes and occasionally sueful production. And eventually I’m pretty confident this kid will be a player in this league, in a reall good way. That’s not too immoderate is it?
Put more boldly though: IF he lives up to his potential, more than any other player on the Wiz he’s got a chance at a regular indelible spot on the Allstar list. That’s a loong ‘if’, but he’s a long kid. Just how I see it.
by doclinkin on Oct 9, 2008 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of Walker...
Had a nice dunk on Theo Ratliff last night….knee is doing just fine I suppose.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
by Truth About It on Oct 9, 2008 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
See now, why are you tryna depress me again? Wait ‘til our guy ’Cash Considerations’ gets in uniform for us. (Hmmn… DerMarr Johnson maybe? but only if Juan gets cut…).
by doclinkin on Oct 9, 2008 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the link of said dunk
Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.
by JakeTheSnake on Oct 9, 2008 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
gee. thanks.
want to step on my sandwich now too? drop pencil shavings in my coffee?
Nah. I’m immune. The mantra is JaVale McGee had 20/8 and three on 12 of 8. Woo!
While I’m a glutton for punishment: has Richard Hendrix done anything yet?
by doclinkin on Oct 9, 2008 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Don't Believe It
I didn’t see the game. I don’t know anyone who did. Sure it was on the radio, but that could have been faked. I’ll believe it when I see it. Its the JaVale McGee Conspiracy.
by the white prez on Oct 9, 2008 2:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
JaVale
I am waiting to see how JaVale does in Europe in two games against Tyson Chandler. If he holds his own we may really have something in the here and now… or to use an analogy from another sport long ago and far away… Wally Pipp getting injured and Lou Gehrig stepping in…
by khrabb on Oct 10, 2008 4:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on Bullets Forever
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
