Lets just see how far Javale McGee has progressed...

by xxrdotxx on Jan 4, 2012 9:54 AM EST

Tonight The Wizards are facing the Orlando Magic. The key match-up is Javale McGee vs Dwight Howard. Javale so far this year has had a pretty productive year averaging a double double per contest but now he faces the guy that embarrasses him every time they face off. With all the talk of the progression of Javale I think this is the first real test he will have to face. I want to see Javale fight for position, hold his ground in the post and not cower when he receives some force from Dwight like I have seen in the past. Ending the losing streak is the priority right now but if Javale can hold his own versus Dwight he could contribute a lot to making that happen.

This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.

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Over matched

Unfortunately I’m still waiting to see McGee put his body against another to box out for a rebuild. He simply doesn’t box out and typically gets his rebounds from missed shots that bounce directly to him or balls that he can out leap and reach his competition for. Dwight is another story as he can match McGee in hops, but brings those broad shoulders into the game to inflict a little pain.

McGee’s getting better, especially from a mental perspective and understanding of how to play defense, but he’s still got a ways to go before I can get to excited.

by SpecialSauce on Jan 4, 2012 10:39 AM EST reply actions

You are right....I watch this very closely

He does not fight to put a body on someone to box out. How can the coaches not be on him about this. I also notice he is lazy on defensive positioning as well. He is not quick to move his feet to get himself in proper positioning.

He has gotten a lot better with his offensive moves. This is quite obvious.

by Keeferdog on Jan 4, 2012 12:15 PM EST up reply actions

yup

howard usually abuses mcgee. i’m also hoping for some improvement tonight.

by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 4, 2012 10:57 AM EST reply actions

I thought Bogut was a good test for him too

But I don’t know too many centers that will look good against Dwight. We will see if he at least shows some improvement. That’s all I can hope for too.

by ThePGPhenomenon on Jan 4, 2012 11:18 AM EST reply actions

Not a realistic test now...

….but maybe it will be in 3 years.

Let’s see how many minutes Seraphin can play against Dwight before fouling out. If he surpasses 15 minutes, that would show progress.

by Izman on Jan 4, 2012 11:39 AM EST reply actions

+1

by xxrdotxx on Jan 4, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions

If this is the test....prepare to be disappointed...

Not really a fair test…kind of a stacked deck don’t you think?

by DavidDunn on Jan 4, 2012 12:08 PM EST reply actions

Agreed.

Friday, against Tyson Chandler might be a better test. He’ll probably get whupped there, too, but it will be because of veteran savvy, not because he’s just flat outclassed across the board.

by yop32 on Jan 4, 2012 12:53 PM EST up reply actions

I kind of use Chandler as his barometer... Chandler surprise me how well he progressed when he got older...

Because he was some garbage his 1st 5 years in the league… Teasing the Bulls.

by xxrdotxx on Jan 4, 2012 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

Dwight always gets JaVale into foul trouble early.

I’m talking 2 or 3 fouls in the first 2 or 3 minutes, early. If JaVale can avoid the foul trouble in the first quarter, that alone shows improvement.

"Blake Griffin is the American Jan Vesely" - Jan Vesely

by PhenomenalSwag on Jan 4, 2012 2:30 PM EST reply actions

i'd like to see our masterful coach have some guards collapse on Howard like the Boston does

rather than just leave our C out to dry so he can make snide comments postgame about how much better Dwight is.

Really, we cant expect Mcgee to go toe-to-toe with Dwight Howard. Hopefully we see some form of improvement of course, but Dwight is Dwight

by DCrez on Jan 4, 2012 2:59 PM EST reply actions

i don't expect mcgee to match howard

but in the past it was so extremely one-sided it was like mcgee wasn’t even on the court. i’m looking/hoping for that to change.

by DarrellWalkerFan on Jan 4, 2012 3:20 PM EST up reply actions

same here...i do think he has often been hit with BS fouls

Dwight gets away with so much bullshit and Javale gets way down as soon as the inevitable cheap one comes his way….he’s gotta show less frustration and more determination i.e. be more mature

by DCrez on Jan 4, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

well xxrdotxx, what say you?

i’d say mcgee acquitted himself decently last night and that if he had a better coach it could have gone more positively. Javale is officially strong enough to not get shoved around anymore, so we can probably stop the “he’s too skinny” stuff. And he clearly would like the ball in post directly matched vs the best Center in the league. So that’s good. Overall given Mcgee is 23, I would say from what we saw last we could legitimately hope that by 25 he’ll be truly battling Howard in a fashion where the refs will have to respect him and Dwight wont spend half the game giggling on the sideline.

There’s a positive on the season!

by DCrez on Jan 5, 2012 10:39 AM EST reply actions