The Wizards were calling plays for JaVale McGee
by Mike Prada on Mar 16, 2011 11:18 AM EDT
in Player Analysis
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PrintThe Internet is ablaze at JaVale McGee blatantly trying to go for his triple double at the end of a Wizards blowout loss to the Chicago Bulls. NBATV analyst Kevin McHale, a smart guy, eviscerated McGee last night, saying "I am not impressed" and "That was terrible." Chris Webber chipped in, saying "Act like you lost by more than 20."
I can't really defend McGee's actions once he got the triple double, where he hung on the rim and celebrated like his team won the game. I also can't really defend his comments after the game, where he called it "the hardest one point I ever tried to make in my life."
But any analysis of this display has to consider the fact that the Wizards specifically ran three plays for McGee to get his triple double down the stretch. In other words, they set him up to fail.
Here's the first play. The Wizards let McGee catch the ball at the top of the key and let him go off the dribble, which is exactly where they don't want McGee to be, ever.
This feels like the Wizards initiating a set with JaVale as the ball rotator, but nobody moves to go get the ball. John Wall isn't even looking at McGee on this play. Both players in the corner stay in the corner, standing there as JaVale went to work. We can only conclude that the other players planned to give JaVale space to go to work.
One play later, the Wizards ran a play to get McGee the ball in the post. This was a play specifically to get McGee the ball, one that looked a lot like the stuff they ran for Andray Blatche last year. Notice Trevor Booker specifically setting a cross screen on Kurt Thomas to get JaVale the ball in a good position.
Yi is holding the ball on the left side, specifically waiting for McGee to get across the lane. He's not in a triple-threat position, and there is no action on the weakside. The Wizards very clearly ran this play with only one option: get JaVale the ball.
Finally, the last play is a little bit of a grey area. The Wizards ran the same play, but Kurt Thomas cut it off and pushed McGee out further than he wanted. Wall paused for a second, as if he expected McGee to come set a screen, but he didn't. Then, Wall did what he should not have done. He passed the ball to McGee.
Jordan Crawford knows what's up here and calls for the ball to eventually run a side pick and roll, but Wall ignores him and gives the ball to McGee at the elbow. If the game was close, would that be the right decision? Of course not. The fact that Wall made it is troubling.
None of this is to defend McGee necessarily, but it's a far bigger concern to me that the team enabled him by running plays for him like they did. If the Wizards really want to preach to McGee the importance of being a winning player, they should have taken him out, or at the very least, told him that he needs to get his final point on a putback. In the end, that's what he did, but it took far too long. I'm not sure whether Flip Saunders called the plays himself or the Wizards ignored him and ran different plays, but neither is a good scenario.
If the Wizards are to make this rebuild work, these opportunities to start building a good culture need to be capitalized instead of being squandered like this.
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I dont really think it is so much they set him up for failure as it was he just failed miserably
Even though they were running plays for JaVale, he was not in scoring position at any time down the stretch, but was still trying to score regardless. I really thought it was rediculous how he was out of position but would still try and do some crazy flip shot or whatever trying to get that basket, not to mention widening the losing margin even more by failing so many times. Last night basically showed his maturity and selfishness on the court. Honestly, what’s the point of a triple double when the team lost by 20pts?? The score wouldn’t have been that bad had he not been giving the ball away every time down trying to get that last basket. Just stupidity!!
by TheRealBigMike on Mar 16, 2011 11:26 AM EDT reply actions
But..
was it him, or the coaching staff giving him the go ahead to try and score? I mean, we’ve been watching this guy for three years, we know exactly what he can do in scoring position. Setting him up like that kind of made him look foolish.
Not necessarily disagreeing, but the Wizards had to know that might happen
So knowing that – why are you running plays for him?
This just adds to the type of players and culture we have instilled here
Didn’t Blatche try to intentionally miss and get his own rebound for a triple double last season?
It’s not like Minnesota is a good example of winning culture, but with 4 minutes left to play they subbed out Kevin Love when his double double streak was on the line.
It seems as though a lot of the guys on this team look at their own stats more than the teams.
by PhenomenalSwag on Mar 16, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It seems we agree that:
1) McGee executed the plays poorly and
2) the plays themselves weren’t well designed for McGee.
This brings me to a previous observation that the Wiz have no offensive plays for McGee, despite his being here for years and being the starting center this year.
McGee should be “rewarded” with one offensive play for every two defensive box-outs (or some ratio like that) rather than just be subjected to the constant yelling and criticism. He doesn’t respond well to all of the negativity. The current approach isn’t working. They ought to add the carrot to the stick.
Run plays for him to prepare him for some coaching the next day
He got his triple double, so he’s happy and receptive.
At the same time, we let him do what he wanted, and he wasn’t anywhere close to as good as he probably imagined he would be. There are all sorts of teachable moments in the film from the last few minutes of the game.
Best part is that when he finally did get his triple double, it was by playing exactly the way we’ve been asking him to.
He ought to get the ball in the low post....
…and cross the key for a jump hook. If he meets resistance, he should spin in the other direction for a bank shot or lay-up. If he’s double teamed, he ought to pass.
They should run this drill hundreds of times a day in practice and five times every game for the rest of the season. This will eliminate the need for the crazy improvising on his part.
In practice, yes. Not in games.
He proved that he’s nowhere near ready to do it in games.
First things first- learn to run a decent pick and roll.
yeah, i don't know what the proper protocol was in this situation
on the one hand, you can just take him out and congratulate him on a good defensive effort, but chastise him for the team being down 20. This would probably really upset him though, seeing as how he was 3 points from a triple-doublt.
on the other hand, you can leave him, and just play the game normally, and maybe he gets it through the flow of the offense. But, if he is in the game, you know he’s going to shoot it every chance he gets.
I guess, I just wish McGee was mature enough to realize that getting a triple-double in the manner that he got it was just bush-league. Its unfortunate that they ran plays specifically for him, but at the same time, you have to wonder if the Wizards felt forced to feed him the ball or else upsetting him.
Hopefully, had Saunders taken McGee out after the first forced errant play, McGee would have just smiled and laughed it off. Who knows?? But, the national media is not out of line for ridiculing the Wizards’ foolishness.
by John Park Williams on Mar 16, 2011 11:31 AM EDT reply actions
I agree, it should be the "Wizards'" foolishness that is ridiculed, not just JaVale's
I think the right play would have been to take him out and say “Look, we’re down 20. One basket isn’t going to change how you performed in my eyes. I just don’t think there’s much point in keeping you in during a blowout.”
Then, you preach to him that a statistical accomplishment means little to you, and hopefully, he gets that he was helpful even without the triple double. Finally, you preach to the team as a whole that while some things done in the game were nice, the next step is doing it while getting a win.
I do think we have to consider the possibility that the players ignored Flip and called their own plays.
By that first sentence in the second pararaph, I mean
That you tell him he did good things as the center of the zone, and two additional points aren’t going to make or break anything.
And if he's pissed about it to the point where it only gets worse
You say, “Okay, we can’t win with this guy going forward” and try to shop him.
That is what I could see happening
If Flip pulled Javale with 9 points. Javale would have gone into more of a reclusive mode and probably lost any motivation to play for the guy. That is why I think the, "Okay, we can’t win with this guy going forward".
You probably did cover the best way to handle it though. And today after practice Flip could have pulled Javale aside and said look, make one of those FT’s, and you earned your triple double. He was 4-11 before the shennagins, so take him to the film room and say, “You make one of those shots, and you got your triple-double.” This could have been turned into a teaching point about a team concept or about improving your game. But that is a little bit of a stretch. How much effort can an NBA coach give one boneheaded player?
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 16, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
i agree sitting him with 9pts probably would have caused issues.
but i also agree with whomever said (possibly you) that Flip seems to have a sneaky motivation thing going on with long term plans….what we’ve seen with Nick hopefully is how Mcgee can pan out
That is a good point
Maybe if I just maintain my faith in Flip, because he has earned my faith in motivating players. Maybe he has got a grand scheme.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 16, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Is Flip the Jedi master?
He helped Mcgee get his tripdub while making him look like a fool in the process, so now the media crushes Javale and teaches him a lesson about stat padding etc while at the same time his relationship with Flip improves.
Brilliant!
Seriously
And while this is actually a good discussion, I have to go take exams at 1 and 2 o’clock.
Damn you BF, why have I not been cramming????
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 16, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think that is smart
Would you allow a kid to continue to eat cake for dinner just because you don’t want the kid to get mad? By allowing McGee, who is still very young, to play like this, you’re allowing him to learn bad habits. These are the habits of a losing team. Get your stats, don’t worry about running the offense right or taking a good shot, who wins in that? If he turns around and does this in a close game then what? You can’t give in to these players every time they want to do something. If Flip did then how is he teaching McGee how to play winning basketball?
by ThePGPhenomenon on Mar 16, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
i hope that's what happened
And that’s the best way to see this……
by thewiz06 on Mar 16, 2011 1:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
If they ignored Flip, that is the worst possible scenario
and means he should be fired, even if nothing is his fault.
It's just one game and one petty loss in a season the player's can't wait to end.
Maybe Flip is in the same boat you just argued, and didn’t call anything. Or didn’t care what his players did anyway. Is he supposed to cry over every loss? Down +20 in a +50 loss season…
Actually I don’t agree with any of that, just making a point.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 16, 2011 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
If he didnt care, that's one thing
But if Flip was directly telling them to do something else and they blatantly ignored him….I mean come on, he’s not in charge
Fair point about Flip
But as basketball fans, we could see what he was trying to. Even Phil Chenier pointed it out. Why didn’t Flip see what was going on and take him out? That would have made more sense to me if he was truly against it.
by ThePGPhenomenon on Mar 16, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know the point in calling the plays for him, if it was Flip calling them.
It really does not reinforce anything he has said this year. Flip knows he is not capable of making plays in that position. So was Flip trying to prove a point to Javale? It’s possible, but I doubt it. Was Wall trying to prove a point by saying, “here go ahead, let’s see what you got,” knowing what would happen.
Javale could have been the intelligent basketball player and thrown it back out, hoping to reestablish in the post, and get himself an easy bucket. But he clearly doesn’t know his limitations, as he has shown forever. The bottom line and imo, undebateable point, is that if Javale had an ounce of maturity or team concept, that this would not be an issue to begin with and I would not be a little embarassed to call myself a fan of the team and the player this morning.
It is the most frustrating thing in the sport to play with a guy like this. That is my personal opinion. It is so hard to get a unit together, a team with continuity and chemistry, and with a bond, with a Javale Mcgee running around. Some groups of guys just work, when the sum is greater than all of the parts. The Suns from last year are the first that come to mind. But we will not be a team like that, as long as Mcgee is doing his thang.
But my problem is that Javale would not have had it any other way. This team would have lost any and all team concept from Javale, if there is one in there, had Flip not allowed him the triple double. That is nobody’s fault but Javale’s.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 16, 2011 11:41 AM EDT reply actions
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Video-JaVale-McGee-gets-first-triple-double-em?urn=nba-334203
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 16, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
If it was Wall
who was trying to get the triple double would we be saying the same thing?? I think not.
Wall would have handled it completely differently--- be real about this.
I have just a theory Wall will never get a celebration technical, losing a game. Some people care about winning.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 16, 2011 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
If he cared so much about winning
Why was he running absurd plays for Mcgee? Shouldnt he have been setting up 3pt’ers etc etc? He was the first guy congratulating Javale after the tech
Different scenario completely. I SAID NOTHING LIKE THAT.
He doesn’t care that much apparently. To set up 3 pointers in an already lost game. He can’t teach Javale a lesson, he’s his rookie PG, no matter where in the draft he was selected.
That was not my even point. Could you see Wall acting like that, put in Javale’s shoes. No, you can’t. John Wall knows he is good enough that he will manage another triple double one day. And he does care about winning to the point that he would not have freaked out in this same situation. You know better.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 16, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I will say that I was disappointed Wall gave JaVale the ball on that last possession
But in general, I agree with you. John wouldn’t stat pad like that.
How often do you see a guy get tripdub off blocks?
No argument that Wall and Mcgee are different….but 12blocks? That’s epic stuff, and given how rare a triple is for a C to begin with….I dont know, I can see where Mcgee would be pretty pumped over it, or upset if Coach tried to teach him a lesson with 9pts on the board.
But yes, no doubt Mcgee and Wall are different
Ok I am trying to let off the gas pedal on my point a little bit.
Because when you put it big picture like that, his behavior after seems a little less significant.
All I know is my gut reaction this morning is that I was embarrassed to call myself a Mcgee fan, for his actions last night. And then to say that he never worked harder for a bucket. C’mon Javale, do you have not even the slightest concept of what is wrong with that? It just tells you how his mind works…
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 16, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, that comment was turrible!
He should know better, but clearly doesnt….we should sign Kurt Thomas mentor no lie
12 blocks is pretty amazing, but...
his celebration after spoke to the type of person/player he is. How can you be that happy about ANYTHING while your getting absolutely dismantled in front of thousands of people and on national TV?
I would gladly see JaVale have 2 blocks, but actually stay on the ground for a pump fake or defend a Pick and Roll correctly. I’ve seen all I need to from him, if he wont come off the bench i would move him for almost anything.
They care less than the fans at this stage in season, it's their job. Another crappy day at work.
If getting dismantled bothered them as much as we want it to, they’d be suicidal.
by DCrez on Mar 16, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think a large part of the problem
is due to the volume of criticism that JaVale has received this year. If you do sit him on 9 after he has played almost the entire game (mostly) within the system, you are saying that it doesn’t matter if he goofs off or works hard, he is going to get punished.
I think what Saunder should do at the next practice is give JaVale a shoutout and then reinforce that this was a one time thing
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
Nailed it.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 16, 2011 1:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I wouldn't say never
He could theoretically get a celebration technical when we have the lead in a close game but we lose..
But no way the Dougie-man is gonna be that stupid to hang on the rim for a dunk when we’re losing by 20 and we score less than 80.
Seems like par for the course re: Mcgee
Plays a damn good game and is ripped to shreds for something that involved the entire team and coach. What is wrong with the guys having a little fun in 50+ loss season, down 20 on the road? Do they need to cry after every loss? Bottomline is that NONE OF THEM, not wall not yi not book…NONE of them care all THAT much about a loss like this. They get blown out all the time and are waiting for the season to end.
And all of them are concerned with their individual performances right about now, you can see it every night by the way they play.
by DCrez on Mar 16, 2011 11:50 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I think the players view this differently than outsiders
McGee didn’t break plays to get a triple double when the game was on the line. The game was over. In garbage time, you see benches erupt in celebration when guys like Ndiaye and Scalabrine score. They know how hard those guys work, and how few chances they get. They also know how rare a triple double is, especially for someone like McGee. I bet everyone on that bench — players and coaches alike — wanted him to get it.
by disgrunted on Mar 16, 2011 11:59 AM EDT reply actions 8 recs
fair point
so is it a little victory in a season of disappointments, or unprofessional? maybe both!
btw, anyone remember rick davis and his triple double?
And why, pray tell, would people who follow the Wiz...
…not want him to get it?
It’s a game. There is drama and entertainment.
Kevin McHale never had a triple double in his career.
No one in the NBA has had 12 blocks in a game for over a decade.
There is talent there to be mined. If the Wiz don’t do it, somebody else will.
Develop or free McGee!
Kevin McHale is one of the top 50 players of all time
If anyone can provide intelligent criticism of McGee’s play it would be him. However, I think this is just noise for the spin cycle, much like “crying-gate.”
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
Top 50, yes
McHale played next to Larry Bird and Robert Parrish. He played four years of college. He credits his high school coach for teaching him the fundamentals.
Despite his surroundings, his points and rebounds per minute over his first 3900 minutes are comparable to Javale’s.
My point is, rather than criticizing McGee, why doesn’t McHale offer to teach McGee the fundamentals and help him develop.
This is a great point
For me, much better television would have been Kevin McHale illustrating what McGee can work on (positioning ect), and add at the end “you put that with 12 blocks and you’d be unstoppable.”
Unfortunately, that doesn’t feed the internet.
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
Who needs to teach McGee
McGee will teach you. He has a complete set of his own videos teaching you basketball fundamentals. All the things he doesn’t do on the court. So he knows fundamentals. He just doesn’t apply them on the court, for what ever reason
by hambonejackson on Mar 16, 2011 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
seriously
pretty amazing he can contribute like last night and the next day there is no shortage of ‘trade him for a bag of chips’ sentiment.
Honestly I can fully understand why people are frustrated with Mcgee at various points and so I am I…..but this is the nba, you MUST develop potential. A team full of undersized, underskilled player who box out and set good picks is never going to win anything. That’s the reality of the league and why guys with upper echelon talent are often difficult to deal with.
Eventually it may turn out Mcgee has to be cut loose…but no way at this stage!
A large part of that comes from the play of the Wizards en toto
When you see a terrible team and you have a guy going for a triple double, the assumption is that he is gunning for stats. I think a large part of what Dwyer and others are criticizing is that this type of game is symptomatic of the Wizards play all year, a couple of youtube plays in a 20 point loss. While I do think they watch the team, I don’t think they are giving credit to McGee for playing “within himself” last night as witnessed by the lack of goaltends, pump fake bites ect.
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
What Dwyer , McHale and other saw
Was a player celebrating his own accomplishments, while the team floundered….
What I saw was a Coach trying to reward his player for doing what he asked him to do (Rebound, protect the rim, play smart on offense)….. a positive reinforcement – - -
Carrot and stick…. After the OKC game, McGee got the stick from Flip…..
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Mar 16, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
To be fair Rook
we are all slightly inured to how awful the team is at this point.
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
There could be a fundamental flaw in every ones thinking
We all assume he cares about the NBA or that he wants to improve as a player, but the reality is if you can not play man to man defense in the NBA and you are not scoring 40-50 points and you are the center, there is no career. Maybe he knows this and he is in the NBA for capital and name recognition. He might have his own little thing going and he is going to suck up as much as he can out of the league before he is out of the league. Saunders said two days ago that if this were not a rebuilding team or if it were one of his other teams, McGee would have a “hard time”. I suppose he means either getting minutes or make the team. Harsh words from your coach.
by hambonejackson on Mar 16, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Completely disagree
If getting stats and your team losing by 19 is doing what he asked him to do, then Flip doesn’t know how to win games. If he does all that and the team is still losing then what’s the point? And by the way stats are stats, he was still outplayed by a 38-year-old man. There is nothing positive about that.
by ThePGPhenomenon on Mar 16, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Excellent point...
Regardless if you’re ahead by 20 or behind by 20 – players (and Coaches) want their teammates to do well….
Also – It’s just possible that Flip knows that JaVale responds to positive reinforcement when he has a good performance… Flip certainly gave negative reinforcement after JaVale’s poor performance against OKC.
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
by Rook6980 on Mar 16, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Given how much McGee jumps, I'm not surprised that he would
get a 10 block game. I’ll be erupting when he dishes out 10 assists, much less three (he has never dished out more than two in a game during his career). If McGee was going out of his way to get 10 assists but he had 10 pts and 10 boards, then I’d feel a little for him even if we’re losing. For a big man, 10 assists is like 15 assists for a guard. For McGee 10 assists is like a 30 assist game for Chris Paul.
I don't think "setting him up to fail"
is the right way to describe it. More like, the team set him up to get him a trip dub, and HE failed cuz his post game is just not there.
Yeah, "setting him to fail" might have been a bit much
It is ultimately his fault that he lacks good post moves, you’re right. I guess my point is that if you know he’s going to have trouble scoring on Kurt Thomas, then it probably isn’t worth calling three plays to have him try to score on Kurt Thomas.
I think they were just in the mentality of
“game’s over anyway, can’t hurt to get Javale a trip dub”
by Marine4Life51 on Mar 16, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm more worried about Wall
There was a play in the first half where he and another Wiz player jumped for a tip-in. Wall got it and the first thing he did was wave to the bench to make sure he got credit.
Then, as illustrated above, he laid down in the final minute to allow Mcgee to make a fool of himself. The greats (Jordan, Magic, Bird, and even Kobe) would have been so mad about losing by 20 that they would’ve played hard until the final horn, not defer to a glory-seeking teammate.
I hope I’m wrong and I’m just nit-picking. He’s impressed me a lot this year. But I saw some signs last night where his focus wasn’t 100% on winning and it bugged me.
I think (and hope) what you are really saying here is...
that… to use a word used earlier today… we are all often guilty of trying to parse the text of a Wizard game much, much too closely. Like it or not, the NBA functions on hype for individual accomplishment, and it is hard to find a player… even themost selfless… who does not put a hand up when he scores a basket in traffic.
When the game in question is “a 19 point loss I can live with” I personally do not find a heck of a lot all that terribly wrong with running a play to get JVM a triple double, or letting Jordan Crawford pump up as many shots as he can. We are trying to find some tiny nuggets of gold in a sea of mud here, so what the hey.
those guys wouldn't have been playing
if they were down 20 with 2 minutes to go.
And its not deferring to a glory seeking teammate, its rewarding a teammate. JV went over 10 blocks in the 3rd quarter. Even then they only went to him because he had gotten to the rebound mark as well. So at that point, needing only 3 points for a triple double, they gave him the ball. i see no issue at all.
This isn’t the first time Wall has sought out stats. he plays differently when he’s on the verge of a triple double too. They’re special.
Ok they ran plays for him but
Trying fadeaways and flailing attempts at driving doesn’t bode well. You’re a center in the NBA, make a solid post move, use your quickness, baby hook in the lane. Its not rocket science to try a decent post move. If he doesn’t think he could do that he should know kick it back out, try to get better positioning and try again. The ball was going to him regardless, make a solid move and not some JV looking attempt at a score.
by SkinsWizStangs on Mar 16, 2011 12:13 PM EDT reply actions
Im sorry, but you can't blame Flip for this one
Flip wasn’t the one shouting or hanging on the rim after McGee made that dunk. The issue isnt that the team wanted JaVale to get his triple double, or that McGee was taking terrible shots, as opposed to fundamentally sound post moves.If anything, good call by flip to give him the opportunity to achieve something he might never do again. The issue here is JaVale’s. Most “rational” nba players would have taken the shots that Flip set up for McGee, but none of them would have celebrated an individual accomplishment during a 20 point blowout. That’s the reason McGee is getting destroyed across the league right now, because he obviously care’s more about his stats than the team’s record
JaVale’s reaction to getting that triple double sums up everything that is so frustrating about him. His talent is so unique and other-worldly that he can put himself in a position to put up one of the most unique stat-lines in NBA history. However, as soon as you think he’s turned the corner, he does something like last night, which makes you realize he just doesn’t get it.
But if Flip wasn't at fault
Then why would the team repeatedly run plays for a guy that has no post moves? Doesn’t make sense.
by ThePGPhenomenon on Mar 16, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
So he could get his triple-double
There’s nothing wrong with that. It happens all the time. The problem is McGee celebrating down 20. He should have made the dunk/jumper/whatever shot that would have went in, and went back on defense, as opposed to shouting like he’s in the move 300.
by Alpha_Snail on Mar 16, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
JaVale deserves to be ridiculed for that
I’m just saying that if you know that’s a tendency of his, calling three plays for him isn’t a good way to reinforce it.
by Mike Prada on Mar 16, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Flip doesn't have a set
And no I’m not talking about an offensive set. He is showing what kind of leader he is. Instead of benching him for that type of performance, he allows him to continue with that performance. Haven’t we seen this behavior enough from players who played with this team? When are we going to get a coach that is serious about winning. We’ve had coaches like Bernie Bickerstaff that would rather party with the players than to disciple them. Or even Eddie Jordan, even though one would argue he commanded respect, he still allowed the team to play poorly defensively and rarely punished players for not doing so. The reason why this team is struggling to establish consistency is the same problem they have had forever, leadership. Flip needs to step up and tell the team how he wants to play instead of letting the inmates run the asylum. As a long time Wizards/Bullets fan, I am tired of this crap and I’m tired of Flip. Get his behind out of here!
by ThePGPhenomenon on Mar 16, 2011 12:35 PM EDT reply actions
BTW
Didn’t we crucify Blatche for doing the same thing. Isn’t there a pattern here?
by ThePGPhenomenon on Mar 16, 2011 12:38 PM EDT reply actions
here's another perspective
from Kelly Dwyer at yahoo! sports:
I mean, JaVale McGee had 12 blocks in this contest, but for the other 63 or so possessions he was out there for while he wasn’t blocking shots? He was possibly the worst defender on the court. And that court often featured Yi Jianlian(notes). For it all to seem so obvious (of course McGee gets his double-figure points on a dunk after missing every other type of shot, and of course he gets a technical for hanging on the rim, and of course he looks super pumped despite his team being down 19 points) just adds to it.
I think Kelly is on record as believing our team is full of malcontents and bad attitudes
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
its not full
but there are too many to win consistently.
We need more blue chip people with talent instead of talented underachievers/knuckleheads.
by Jheiser3 on Mar 16, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don't think its full either
I think Kelley believes that 3 of our starting five lack proper NBA mindsets. Its like Hollinger making his semi-famous statement of the Wizards having players who get 50 cents of return on their dollar abilities.
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
i LOVE kelly Dwyer
but he doesn’t think any team is any good, ever
by John Park Williams on Mar 16, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I love Dwyer as well
Its just different when you have the benefit of watching good teams along with the bad.
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
I'd like to add to that
! am done bashing McGee because I think McGee is gone anyway. Its the lack of player development that I am seeing out there. I would rather watch McGee get destroyed playing man to man defense than go into a flex zone to compensate for his shortcomings. This type of defense is unworkable in the NBA. Payers like Bogans and Thomas have no problem shooting the ball. If Noah had been in the game he would have had a hey day around the boards. And what is worse about this type of zone is how it allows McGee to wander off like a lost sheep. Playing man to man will keep him in the game.
The 1st half was Crawford gone wild. Again, where is the player development? Where is the discipline? It was like watching street ball. It may be impressive to watch, but it won’t lead to wins.I know the team is forever auditioning and that seems to be where they are really at. I just hope this off season, they can bring in players who can play the game so that I can watch basketball again, because I don’t know I am watching right now or if its even worth watching.
As for McGee and his celebration, he’s been doing that all season and its annoyed me all season watching him do it.
by hambonejackson on Mar 16, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
My point is
if the team is going to develop McGee, then they should develop. Not instill an unworkable defense. Then you would be crying about Flips defensive schemes. The team could draft a player who can play man to man.
by hambonejackson on Mar 16, 2011 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Aside from the 12 blocks and countless shot alterations, he was a terrible defender
Other than that 60pts Gil scored, he didnt contribute much.
come on Dwyer, mcgee played well last night, no two ways about it.
I really don't think this was a big deal.
The guy looked a little foolish and compounded it by hanging on the rim.
But whatever. The team is essentially playing pre-season games again. Down by 20 in the last few minutes, who cares if the guy gets a career milestone? He played really well all game. Let him get his triple double.
My only problem is that if he put in a couple more shots that Wall gave him then wall could have had a triple double too.
And no wonder that jackasses like Chris Webber say dumb stuff about him. That’s what they do. You don’t get viewers to tune in by not stirring up controversy. Chris Webber was a much bigger moron in his early days then JVM is.
by MR on Mar 16, 2011 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I wonder if when the next time the Wizards make the playoffs
the team is going to have organization members stationed around the player’s houses to avoid another Webber gate.
The artist formerly known as ledellforlife.
On the bright side
it was an effort game by McGee. I can’t stand the loser attitude (satisfied with an individual accomplishment in a game where get embarrassed) but I will still take the effort over centers like Dampier, etc.
My concern about McGee isn’t production or effort, its attitude. Think Noah, who by the way won two national championships, would ever find a moral victory in a 20pt drubbing?
I have a hard time believing that McGee is going to change his attitude. I do believe his execution and production will increase.
by edubz on Mar 16, 2011 3:31 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Over analyzed by everyone
let the kid have some fun… the Bulls have the best record in the east, even undermanned we couldn’t of beat them (considering we were just as undermanned). I’m not saying I liked what happened but c’mon let Javale have his 15 seconds of fame. We’re not coming back from 20 down with 1 min left…
Follow me on Twitter: @adamvolo
How about instead of redirecting blame
We simply stop the blame.
Personally, I saw nothing wrong with giving Javale those touches. It’s a reward for a person’s play, yes, but it was hard fought play, so why be mad at the reward?
Some people seem to think it will instill something to the team, but what would that be? To play better and harder and you’ll get rewarded?
I don’t think anything was wrong with what Flip did, or what Javale was doing, other than Javale not getting into good position before getting the ball, and Wall giving him the ball in poor position.
Ok so for the record
I am less outraged about this than 5 hours ago.
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 16, 2011 5:00 PM EDT reply actions
come on guys
with the constant bashing of Mcgee its to the point now when he pplays great hes still getting bashed.Cwebb made so many dumb errors as a player he is hardly one to talk.
Nick young plays for stats ots what happens on terrible teams.
JAVALE Blocked 12 shots it was a great effort by him for all the belly aching here about his defense he should be applauded for the hard work last night.
who cares about his reaction in another 20pt loss to gettong a triple double at least hes still playing hard when most vets mail it in on teams like the Wizards. faking injuries and hivimg little effort.
by jazzy1 on Mar 16, 2011 5:13 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Didn't he block those shots because Chicago were missing their bigs...?
by Delonte Mckinley on Mar 16, 2011 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
What does that have to do with his shot blocking??
What would’ve been different if Boozer and Noah were there?
TNT should've treated Lebron's return to Cleveland game like 2k11 and cut the game off after the Cavs were down by 30. lol
I've been saying this for awhile...
Blatche and McGee play selfish hero ball and have no place on a championship team. We need to get real ballers on this team.
by Delonte Mckinley on Mar 16, 2011 5:41 PM EDT reply actions
Who cares?
It’s a lost season, why not let the kid get a career milestone? Seems a little ridiculous to me.
Because it's embarrasing
I’m as big a fan of McGee as anyone. Search my posts. But his priorities are ridiculous. Apply it to your own life. If someone was humiliating you in a competition would you celebrate a moral victory?
However, it does not even come close to Blatche last year. I somehow missed that at the time. I’ve never seen anything like that.
And, I still like McGee and think he is a potential piece of the puzzle.
We should be immune to embarrassment at this point
We’re Bullets fans.
Questions
How many goaltending calls did he have?
How many of those blocks did the Wizards gain possession of?
Surprisingly
Zero goaltends…. and almost all of the blocks ended up in-play with the majority of them ending up in Wizards possession… As a matter of fact, I can think of 3 that JaVale blocked, and HE came up with the loose ball.
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
And then the other question you should have asked....
How many times did JaVale go after a block , that he didn’t get (altered shot) that the Bulls got position for a put back or dunk?
And I can only think of one time….
So, overall – in my opinion, his blocked shots were all good ones.
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
good ones = good for the Wizards team
He's "delightfully cranky"
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
agree, McGee had a good game
I think they beat us because they are better coached, more experienced, deeper and they shot a pretty good % from downtown while getting more 2nd chances.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
Honestly, I love the fact that JaVale didn't fall for any pump fakes this game and just kept his hands held up.
It seems like he is ACTUALLY learning. Let’s see if that mindset stays consistent.
TNT should've treated Lebron's return to Cleveland game like 2k11 and cut the game off after the Cavs were down by 30. lol
The Wizards need to get serious. No more salutes after dunks from Mcgee. No more of that stupid ass “dougie” from Wall. No more goofing around. The Wizards have to develop a WINNING mindset. They need to start doing things that are conducive to winning. Rebounding consistently, boxing out, being quicker in your defensive rotations, making free throws, etc. Its not about talent. Can anyone honestly say this team has limited talent? They have no basketball IQ. Simple as that.
McGee's salute is a trademark
but maybe he should do it after timely shots and timely rebounds instead of dunks.
Wall hasn’t dougied at a Wizards game since the home opener, though he has danced off against Chris Wifebeater Brown and also at Howard University’s last home basketball game. He may have dougied against Justin Bieber at the All Star Weekend too but really, Wall hasn’t goofed around during games like the “athletes” in the new Troop 41 video
McGee played relatively well BUT
Why was he so winded if we were playing zone?
He was going to have trouble getting 10 pts because he could barely make it over half court on some possesions.
Celebrate the 12 blocks because we should NOT play zone an entire game, and NO way you are getting 12 blocks playing man to man.
Happy St. Pattys day!
shine like bald head, smoke trees call me log head
Why are there so many pictures of Javale Mcgee akwardly mauling opposing player?
Like the one aboce
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 17, 2011 10:30 PM EDT reply actions
*above
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 17, 2011 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Seraphin and Booker deliver hard fouls and set teeth loosening picks
Javale launches his ass at your face
JaVale needs to take his game to the next level.
Feed him lots and lots of beans.
by yop32 on Mar 18, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Lol
It took me a minute. But I got it
Screw rational basketball analysis. I <3 Jordan Crawford.
by returnofswagger on Mar 18, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
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