George Karl repeats familiar lines about JaVale McGee

JaVale McGee did not talk to reporters prior to the Nuggets' game against theWizards on Friday night, leaving his coach, George Karl, to address the traveling Wizards' media crew. In his interview after shootaround, Karl said many of the same things former Wizards coaches used to say about McGee. Via Michael Lee of the Washington Post:

"I think he tries to be spectacular. Basketball is a game of possession after possession of doing things the right way, doing your job and letting the spectacular. I think JaVale tries to find the spectacular and forces the spectacular when if you just let Andre Miller and Ty [Lawson], let us orchestrate the game, something big time will happen. But I just want him to be more Tim Duncan-like. I tell him I like Tim Duncan. I want Tim Duncan. That's what I want."

Right. "Tim Duncan-like." That's a lofty goal. This is cut from the same cloth as Flip Saunders' "meat and potatoes" line. Looks like McGee may not have changed much.

Meanwhile, Nuggets players said that they hope Denver fans give Nene a warm welcome in his first game home. Via Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post:

"I've known Nene for a long time and I enjoyed my time playing with him," said Nuggets guard Andre Miller, who played two stints with Nene in Denver. "Hopefully the crowd will give him his due for the amount of time he was in Denver, helping turn the organization. So we'll say our hellos and goodbyes and get on with the game."