The Flip Side: Javale McGee Vs Jordan Crawford, Shot Opportunities And Hurt Feelings

by Bullet Nation in Exile on Nov 4, 2011 6:00 AM EDT in Coaching

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 05: Jordan Crawford #15 of the Washington Wizards puts up a shot in front of Wayne Ellington #19 and Michael Beasley #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Verizon Center on March 5, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Javale McGee has been with the Wizards his entire career and last year he wasn't shy about wanting more touches. With the (fake) season rolling, one dynamic that will bear watching is whether or not, and then to what degree, Jordan Crawford's shot-jacking has on McGee's media cool. Typically reserved with the press, when Javale's frustration peaks it's usually just a brief sound bite, but one that is demonstrative of his current mindset.

Like every other first round pick eyeing restricted free agency, Javale wants to earn a big contract, start a bidding war, what-have-you. And when it comes to seven footers with several years of NBA experience who have yet to enter their prime, it's always seller's market for a player with a respectable stat line.

So how's it going to sit with him while JC chases Michael Jordan and is missing six out of ten shots? Sure, we want Javale getting points off cleaning the glass, but it's hard to argue Javale hasn't earned more shot opportunities for the simple reason Jordan hasn't earned all the rainbows he's launching.

Most of us are less than comfortable with Jordan jacking twenty shots a game, although we certainly don't want to see Javale launching 18-footers in the near future. I'm not suggesting a C needs more touches than a SG because of simple seniority or any other such nonsense. JC had a lot of leeway last year by virtue of being on a rebuilding team replete with injuries. He enjoyed the kind of green light Gilbert Arenas had.

With John Wall at 100% for perhaps the first time in a Wizards uniform, plenty of new blood, and trimmed fat, touches are going to be more regulated. This looks to be one of those storylines that seemed obvious in retrospect once it finally blows up, and is going to depend heavily upon Flip's rotations. If Javale doesn't follow up on his performance in the fake opener and this year's Jordan is the same as last year's, Flip will have his work cut out for him. We know he like's Jordan's moxie, but with so many players looking for their court identity this year, a continued green light for Jordan's itchy trigger finger leads to a traffic jam down the road.

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Despite what he may say, Flip isnt that big on post offense

Kind of like NFL coaches all preach running the ball, but most of them end up passing as much as possible. Flip runs a jumpshooting offense, so though imho we can expect to see Mcgee get more touches in the post (as we saw at the end of last season), the team’s bread&butter will always be from 15’-20’

by DCrez on Nov 4, 2011 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

Yes, but

there are jump shots, and then there are JUMP SHOTS.

Jordan Crawford takes low percentage jump shots… off balance… early in the shot clock… off the dribble…

I’d rather see more pick and roll from John Wall and McGee…. or pick-and-pop with Blatche.

Young has proven he’s one of the best in the league at hitting that open 3-point shot… yet pick-and-roll action that requires a third defender to “help” is rarely seen in the Wizards half court sets. I just think that if the Wizards bigs can get the timing down on their picks, it could free up a lot of options for John Wall (drive to the basket, pull up for a jump shot, alley oop to McGee, pass to Blatche for a jumper, pass to Young or Shard for a corner 3)…..

But that would necessarily mean less touches for Crawford… Is he enough of a team player to make that sacrifice?

I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.

by Rook6980 on Nov 4, 2011 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions

As long as he keeps opposing defenses honest

I won’t complain too much…I anticipate complaining a fair bit :p

Bullets Forever | Twitter

by Bullet Nation in Exile on Nov 4, 2011 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I’d love to see a JC to Wall reverse lob. Where the defense think Crawford is letting loose with a long two Wall runs baseline leaps piroettes and wham. Face Tme.

by Janber on Nov 4, 2011 12:22 PM EDT reply actions

Mmm this could be a problem indeed

McGee would be best served scoring efficiently of rolls, cuts and putbacks in the halfcourt and oops on the break. He should easilly average 12-15 ppg that way.

What he really needs to do to up is value is grabbing more defensive rebounds and be a more complete defender (ie post defense & crisp rotations) while cutting down on the bonehead plays (show maturity).

Not really confident he will understand this though….

"My logic fails all the time...especially when talking to females" Rook6980

by Dutch Hoopfan on Nov 4, 2011 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

Jan will only make it worse (through no fault of his own)

What’s going to happen when it turns out Javale has better handles than Jan (or as good)? Or that Javale hits more 15 footers in practice everyday than Jan does (a possibility). Is Flip still going to bench Javale for dribbling too much while encouraging Jan (and his 15%TO rate) to dribble like a normal SF? What a bizarre team Ernie has in mind!

by DCrez on Nov 4, 2011 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Jan is already the worst ball-handler on this squad

And his 4 turnovers in 7 minutes in the (fake) game against the Nets only further prove that point. As for JaVale, I’d be happy if he could just improve his ability to draw contact, get to the line, and hit his free throws. He took, what? Four FTs in 28 minutes against the Nets? And only hit two of them. Could be rust from the summer, but I dunno.

(Man, I could really get spoiled by inventing fake statistics. Makes it so easy to prove my case!)

by satchmore on Nov 4, 2011 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

lol

"My logic fails all the time...especially when talking to females" Rook6980

by Dutch Hoopfan on Nov 5, 2011 7:09 AM EDT up reply actions

This is the fake storyline right?

I don’t see how it would be that big of deal, unless Javale starts becoming relentlessly unreasonable.

In the last 2 months of last season, Javale was averaging close to 10 shot attempts a game while Jordan was averaging 17.

The average shot attempt count for the top ten scoring centers in the league was around 13 a game.

Considering Javale’s role in the offense, 10 is a pretty generous number.

Geting it done.

by Knowledge92 on Nov 4, 2011 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

Considering he shot 58% over the last 2 months

I’m sure he thinks 10 is not generous enough

by DCrez on Nov 4, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

And truth be told...

I’d rather McGee be the one shooting 17 shots a game at 58% – than Jordan Crawford at 39%

I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.

by Rook6980 on Nov 4, 2011 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

He won't nescessarily shoot 58% when given more touches though

If you give him the ball in the post he does’t really have a lowpost game and he sure as hell can’t shoot from midrange. The 58% is from dunks, putbacks and oops. With a more uptempo game he should be around 13 to 15 FGA’s without ‘giving’ him the ball. Including FT’s he should be averaging 13 to 15 ppg.

But again, what I really like to see from him are better defensive awareness, -post D and less bonehead plays.

"My logic fails all the time...especially when talking to females" Rook6980

by Dutch Hoopfan on Nov 5, 2011 7:14 AM EDT up reply actions