JaVale McGee And Trevor Booker Are 'The Chin Strap Brothers'

by Mike Prada on Feb 17, 2012 9:38 AM EST in Silly Stuff

The Wizards really are hilarious, you guys. Via Michael Lee:

McGee and Booker have begun calling themselves, "the chin strap brothers," a reference to their commitment to approaching the game with the hard-nose mentality of a football player - even as Booker is still unsure about the new greeting.

"It's kind of lame, but I'll do it, just to make him feel good," Booker said with a laugh about McGee. "Little things like that bring us closer.

This is in the middle of a story about how team camaraderie has improved recently. In the same story, you have players and coaches talking about how everyone understands their roles better, and therefore, the team has improved from being a complete train wreck to at least being competitive.

Personally, I think improved team camaraderie is always the effect, not the cause, of improved play, but I'm sure plenty of you see it the other way.

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"It's kind of lame, but I'll do it, just to make him feel good"

You mean like when a parent dresses up with their kid for Halloween?

Bullets Forever: Waiting for the Fat Lady to sing since 2006. | @jakewhitacre

by Jake Whitacre on Feb 17, 2012 9:44 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

more like a friend going to a harry potter midnight premier with their obsessive friend

just so they’re not alone.

by FTT on Feb 17, 2012 9:54 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Nick also started his little Arrow three celebration because of Javale

he apparently has some pull in the locker room…

by DavidDunn on Feb 17, 2012 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

i love that arrow three

by FTT on Feb 17, 2012 1:55 PM EST up reply actions

As long as

it’s not “the Jockstrap Boys”

I like the Bullets

by K-Bro on Feb 17, 2012 9:54 AM EST reply actions 3 recs

That'd probably more appropriate. They are usally hold their matchups jockstraps so the name would be perfect.

by tw10 on Feb 17, 2012 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

Years from now

Will Blazers fans talk about the time Nicholas Batum dunked on the Chin Strap Brothers?

Bullets Forever: Waiting for the Fat Lady to sing since 2006. | @jakewhitacre

by Jake Whitacre on Feb 17, 2012 9:55 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

Not unless

Batum is wearing red white and blue!

by jsuh0 on Feb 17, 2012 9:58 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

sign batum and ray allen, and draft robinson?

ray can still kill it running off screens(set by booker and robinson) or be a spot up shooter, and batum can hit the 3.

I think if we keep playing tough like we have been doing the past couple games aging vets like allen won’t mind playing their last years with our team.

by FTT on Feb 17, 2012 10:07 AM EST reply actions

im on board with Batum for sure

He fits what this team needs perfectly. Still very young to boot. I think he would give us some interesting options. Let’s sign you sign Batum and win the draft lottery, then I think drafting Anthony Davis is a no brainer. I would go into the year comfortable with 4 starters being Wall, Batum, Davis, McGee. We would still have a good amount of money to go after a 2 guard like OJ Mayo that won’t break the bank. OR the more likely scenario, we don’t win the lottery and end up with say the #3 pick. This is where I like Batum’s diversity because I believe he can play the 2 or the 3. With the #3 pick you take Barnes and have Batum at the 2 spot. Starters Wall at 1, Batum at 2, Barnes at 3, McGee at 5. Barnes and Batum are both long and athletic and can stroke it. Maybe you stick with Book as your starting 4 or you go after another mid level free agent like a Carl Landry (not saying I want him). Bottom line, I think signing Batum would be huge for us.

by jeffco01 on Feb 17, 2012 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

no doubt, excellent defender with a stroke and developing offensive arsenal

4yr pro but only 23 or so….he should be demand

by DCrez on Feb 17, 2012 11:54 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Theres no way we get him

I was hopeful and he was on my wish-list back when he was a bench player and under the radar a lil bit, but he’s been too much in the spotlight now and POR will not let him go, also after we won that game in POR his postgame comments were very “ugh we lost to the wizards of all ppl” So, it might not even come down to who throws the most money at him

by KurisuDevil on Feb 17, 2012 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

damn, hadnt heard those comments. Fuck him

no not really, but geez it sucks to hear him say what ever FA feels

by DCrez on Feb 17, 2012 12:18 PM EST up reply actions

well i put it in qoutes but really his literal comments were more like

“Thats not a good team, they came in here and only had 5-6 wins yada yada” But the expression on his face said it all.

http://www.nba.com/blazers/tbtv/video.html?videoID=3116

by KurisuDevil on Feb 17, 2012 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

bah, they cut the video short, o well.

by KurisuDevil on Feb 17, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

I may get ridiculed for this

but I would think Boston would at least consider an Allen for Blatche trade.

by edubz on Feb 17, 2012 1:48 PM EST up reply actions

can I ridicule myself?

of course Boston would just let Allen walk before taking on Blatche’s albatross of a deal. Plus, the salaries don’t match without us throwing something else in.

by edubz on Feb 17, 2012 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

young,wild, and free...

yes the wiz song sums up this team. If we were any good we would get a lot of press…

by ATLredskin on Feb 17, 2012 10:09 AM EST reply actions

the line about smoking weed

fits perfectly too.

by thewiz06 on Feb 17, 2012 12:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Corney!

Name unless they are definitely commited to playing D and taking heads off. Glad to see were started to act like a team seems like the road trip is bringing them closer.

by wizkid4life on Feb 17, 2012 10:20 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Javale averaging 20/10 since changing meds

interesting to read the problem was he’s gotten bigger so the old med was no longer working….my man comes back EVERY season bigger and stronger than the year before, clearly puts in the time and dedication….no way I will kill him for a cheesy handshake, especially when it’s about busting heads like we want him to do

by DCrez on Feb 17, 2012 10:26 AM EST reply actions

Who is killing him for a cheesy handshake?

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by Mike Prada on Feb 17, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions

There is no universe where JMG is "busting heads"

He’s the starring character in the 2012 Wizards horrifying Saturday morning cartoon. There’s no busting heads here unless it’s done with a comically oversized inflatable mallet.

by ryasch on Feb 17, 2012 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

He was busting heads against the Clippers

by rgc19 on Feb 17, 2012 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

Literally I mean

busted Jordan’s nose with a block

by rgc19 on Feb 17, 2012 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

I originally thought

That this was going to be about how they’re growing matching chin strap beards.

by blackdog3377 on Feb 17, 2012 10:29 AM EST reply actions

nice - i'd be ready to buy into it if they did that

"hindsight is 50-50" - Steve Spurrier

by little stevie colter on Feb 17, 2012 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

Please

Chin-strap beards are sooooo 1860s

by ryasch on Feb 17, 2012 12:02 PM EST up reply actions

Whatever... It is nice to see that Book and JVM are on the same page...

Unlike JVM and another power forward who shall go nameless.

The duo will have an interesting test in Utah against Millsap and Big Al. This should be a very good yardstick against which to measure the Chinstrap Boys progress.

by khrabb on Feb 17, 2012 10:39 AM EST reply actions

how about some Jan vs Enes action??

Kanter will probably grab 13 boards but score 3pts and get torched on defense….I’d really like to see Jan get the ball more, honestly I think Randy is hindering him a little bit. I know they dont want him taking Js and it’s obvious the team has been coached to work around him on offense but I think it’s cutting off your nose to spite your face at this point.

by DCrez on Feb 17, 2012 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

Also, he seems to be playing hot potato

every time he gets the ball. That’s on him, not the coaches, likely.

by Kenny Sky Walker on Feb 17, 2012 6:24 PM EST up reply actions

What happened to the Singleton...

…conspiracy theories? Rather than a result of being ostracized, his performance lately is probably the result of just hitting the rookie wall (along with the level of talent that he brought into the NBA). Singleton (and Booker) could be really good bench players for the Wiz if Ted wants to put together a really good team. The minutes should help them improve a lot by next year.

by Izman on Feb 17, 2012 10:40 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Agreed

He’s still putting together solid defensive outings. Once his shot starts dropping again, he’ll be fine.

by segastyle on Feb 17, 2012 10:45 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I've said it once and I'll say it again.

I want Booker and Singleton to be our double headed defensive stoppers a la last years Tony Allen and Shane Battier. And they can do it too.

Thing is I expected Singleton to get more boards than he is, maybe its because he’s out on the wing on d.

by BballBrit on Feb 17, 2012 4:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Same here

I loved the Singleton pick because in addition to strong wing defense I assuming he would be making a bigger impact on the boards

I'm not going to think of something extra witty or clever to say, I don't want to convince you to see things my way, I just have 2 words for you: JEREMY LAMB

by qthaballa on Feb 17, 2012 7:59 PM EST up reply actions

I was watching Singleton pre-game against the Clippers -- he spoke to NO ONE

(at the game – only time I get to see the team this year :-/)

That’s gotta be damaging in all phases. He’s a complete loner. He clearly came into the season amped, roaring to go, bit of a headless chicken. He’s clearly since been checked.

Seriously, if you go to a game this year, get there early and simply watch Singleton. It’s pretty sad.

by Max Zamphirescu on Feb 17, 2012 5:20 PM EST up reply actions

Coming on the heels of good play recently, this chin strap story is perceived to be funny

If it came in the midst of a 5 game losing streak, it would prompt Jason Reid and scores of other know-it-alls to write angry pieces about how McGee was a cancer and must be removed from the team ASAP.

by disgrunted on Feb 17, 2012 10:49 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Clowning around at a party is fine

You worry about someone who’s clowning around at a funeral though.

by Elvin_is_my_Elvis on Feb 17, 2012 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

randy has gotten more progress out of this team in a few weeks than Flip did in 2yrs

maybe the “Everyone must remain miserable and eat subway sandwiches while hiding under their beds” mentality doesnt work for this group.

by DCrez on Feb 17, 2012 11:00 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I'd like to judge McGee after the season

He tends to have spurts of playing real well and not so well. So I think it’s only fair to judge him after most of the games have been played to see any trends or consistencies. Would also be good to then look at how he did in games against legitimate opposing centers.

Come draft time, we might have a chance to land Andre Drummond. But picking him would also mean making a decision on McGee (or moving one of them to PF, which might not be a bad option either).

by segastyle on Feb 17, 2012 10:54 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Flip Saunders was so bad

That he literally hindered the relationships between these guys, not to mention the terrible on the court performance.

Then again, I agree with the “winning builds camaraderie” concept. But even if you believe its the other way around, Flip was still messing this thing up terribly.

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by returnofswagger on Feb 17, 2012 11:18 AM EST via Android app reply actions 1 recs

Flip was awful.

by baltimorebullets80 on Feb 17, 2012 11:28 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Javale needs another strap

One to keep his head on straight.
It seems that after he has a couple of decent games he thinks he can do anything and that’s when he starts to do those dumb things that drive us nuts.
C’mon Javale stay focused.

by VBfan on Feb 17, 2012 11:45 AM EST reply actions

I would LOVE that

Seeing JMG fitted into a safety harness with a helmet. Just like Philip the Hyper-Hypo Kid.

by ryasch on Feb 17, 2012 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Wow no GIF defines Javale better

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by returnofswagger on Feb 17, 2012 12:34 PM EST up reply actions

when i think Vale, i think this

by KurisuDevil on Feb 17, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

really who cares if he takes a 15' J or something once in awhile?

it amazes me how much he gets ripped, much of it with tired stuff that’s no longer true like “goes for every pump fake” or being skinny. Bottomline for this season is he was playing real well(not perfect of course), faded out horribly, changed meds, now is playing well again. What’s the problem?

by DCrez on Feb 17, 2012 12:00 PM EST up reply actions

Ves and Booker are worse on pump fakes this year than JaVale.

by hotplate on Feb 17, 2012 12:41 PM EST up reply actions

javale isn't a bad shooter from midrange.

He showed that in college and a bit in summer league. I think all players need to be able to hit that 20 foot shot, but big players ideally shouldn’t be reckless with it.

by thewiz06 on Feb 17, 2012 12:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

If his teammates&coaches are fine with him shooting it, ok, fine with me then, too.

But I dont think anyone really wants him taking that shot.

The 15’ J’s dont bother me that much. What bothers me is that it’s like he’s not really playing to win. He’s worried about swatting the ball 10 feet in the bleachers and getting highlight dunks. His lowlights overshadow his dunks IMO. Personally the salute annoys me, mostly because he is a 7 foot roll of charmin. He still has ZERO basketball IQ. The play he ran back on defense while the team still had the ball almost killed me from laughter. Then I realized how pathetic it was, and then I had flashbacks of his embarrassing dunk attempts last season—not to mention the “triple double” he got.

I said it before but I’ll say it again, bottom line is that I dont think he plays the game to win.

by tw10 on Feb 17, 2012 5:20 PM EST up reply actions

Just want to add--I hope he proves me wrong.

by tw10 on Feb 17, 2012 5:24 PM EST up reply actions

he's a 7' asthmatic who was dying out there and put his head down to bust his butt back on defense.

different ways of seeing the same things i guess (and yes, i did think it was funny and deserved the national pub that it got). But you know Booker is getting beaten a lot and no one questions his iq and when Ves swatted a ball into the stands it’s all cheers rather than criticism of not just grabbing it.

at any rate, i get Pierre brings a ton upon himself….i just think when you remove the asthma portion of the season we’re looking at a player who has gotten better for us every year which is a good thing

by DCrez on Feb 17, 2012 8:25 PM EST up reply actions

flip

Looks like wii sports character

by wizkid4life on Feb 17, 2012 11:56 AM EST via mobile reply actions 2 recs

Also

How come Vale never gave him and Blatche a nickname? tehehe

I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
Follow @Dylan___V

by returnofswagger on Feb 17, 2012 12:34 PM EST reply actions

I'm sure he gave Blatche a nickname

but it probably was best not to say it out loud to the media…

by gray16 on Feb 17, 2012 1:41 PM EST up reply actions

Blatche sounds like when a tomato hits a wall.....

and it’s almost fitting that his perceived personality is that of a guy who deserves to have a bunch of tomatoes blatche him in the face.

by thewiz06 on Feb 17, 2012 4:05 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

wow Mcgee hate around here is strong but anyway

I’m not sure why the Wiards are playing better other than to look at Mcgee and Wall the Wizards 2 best players. They are playing better and the team is getting better results. Its as simple as that.

Your center and Pg are playing good games and everything else falls into place. Since Mcgee has changed meds he’s been a menace on the floor. Still amazed that this issue wasn’t identfied earlier by Wizards training staff.

But he’s chaning alot of shots in the paint and getting buckets on offense. His own 1on1 and off Wall’s feeds.

Wall is playing so much better because he’s making better decisions. He’s looking for the bigs inside alot more then the wings and he’s hitting floaters ad doing a better job with the pullup and layups.

Seems like before he was only aggressive attacking the defense as a 1 man fastbreak and it would end in an ugly missed layup or turnover.

If the team was able to get a shooter, a slasher/defender and a decent scoring/bulkier defending 4 man we’d be on our way to respectability.

Batum… Sullinger/Robinson and a shooter and we’d be set with what we got.

by jazzy1 on Feb 17, 2012 2:24 PM EST reply actions 1 recs