Wizards beat the Knicks to go 3-2 in Summer League

by Mike Prada on Jul 20, 2009 10:43 AM EDT in Recaps

I was pretty dead after a red-eye flight back home, so I didn't watch the Wizards' Summer League-closing win over the Knicks too carefully. JaVale McGee starred in the stat sheet, but I didn't notice him as much as I did against the Clippers, particularly defensively. I really think it was just a case of JaVale being a man among boys against the small Knicks frontcourt.

Still, McGee's emergence at the end of Summer League was a big plus. He impressed outsiders too. Here's what True Hoop's and ClipperBlog's Kevin Arnovitz (who's an absolute delight, by the way) had to say about JaVale:

JaVale McGee should help Washington's frontcourt rotation a good deal this season. He's got so much agility on both ends, a soft touch, and actually knows how to backpedal against a speedy guard coming off a screen. He got the better of DeAndre Jordan tonight and, prototypically, the guys have similar profiles. McGee put up a gaudy line: 19 points (9-for-11 from the field), seven blocks and four rebounds.

That was after the Clipper game, but the same could be applied to the Knick game. He's finally figuring out how to be a force on defense and not just a pogo stick. He also looks a little stronger, which numerous commentators and such have pointed out on the airwaves or to me personally this past week.

Anyway, here are links to the entirety of Bullets Forever's coverage live from Las Vegas, for those who missed it.

Wizards beat the Cavaliers 96-93 (first game recap)
Bullets Forever talks to all-star forward Antawn Jamison
Andray Blatche is comfortable, confident and (eventually) under control
Rook's Summer League Game 1 observations
Ernie Grunfeld says Dominic McGuire will play some power forward this year
Bullets Forever interviews Ernie Grunfeld
Wizards lose to Denver 77-70 (second game recap)
Wizards lose to Minnesota 89-82 (third game recap)
A conversation with assistant coach Don Zeirden about JaVale McGee
Bullets Forever talks to Brendan Haywood
JaVale McGee stars in the 74-64 win over the Clippers (fourth game recap)
Nick Young's offensive game is changing, slowly but surely (still pending)
Summer League grades (still pending)

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Thanks for all the great coverage

Fantastic job Mike. Very impressed by all the access you were able to get.

I have to say, the utter disappearing act of Taser this week makes me question if he’s really in the mix for the rotation. I know he’s not a stat sheet guy, but he didn’t seem to separate himself out there despite his experience.

by mfish on Jul 20, 2009 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

Great coverage Mike...

The need for an experienced big remains evident.

JVM is getting close and Blatche is what he is (the overlap with JVM may suggest he is the expendable piece if a deal can be made for a better than average older big guy as it did not seem that any of the other bigs we looked at this summer were that terrific).

Javaris looks locked in as the 3rd point guard. Nick is definitely a keeper. And like mfish I find Taser a puzzle piece at this point. It has to go beyond the numbers, however, and his potential abiity to fill in the 4 may be the deciding factor.

by khrabb on Jul 20, 2009 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

echo the 'job well done - thanks' sentiments

sounds like fun, and great experience.
now – unfortunately, we have far too long until the season begins, and very little ‘basketball-related activity’ to look forward to. nothing but redskins mini-camp B.S. – (gag).

"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler

by little stevie colter on Jul 20, 2009 3:48 PM EDT reply actions