McGee provides steadying presence at center
OAKLAND >> This season has been a roller coaster for JaVale McGee, with Saturday being its apex.
In the team’s most important game of the year so far, McGee was incredibly smart and efficient on both ends of the court.
He had 15 points in just over 16 minutes on 5-for-7 shooting while holding LaMarcus Aldridge to 14 points on 5-for-12 shooting in the Warriors’ 113-92 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
“Might be the best playoff game he’s ever played,” Klay Thompson said. “He was phenomenal tonight on both ends.”
It’s funny to think that only a few months ago, McGee’s main job was to warm the bench and his name was on the trading block.
Everything changed after the All-Star break, when Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr decided to switch things up, promoting McGee into the starting center position for a while instead of Zaza Pachulia. That gave McGee a chance to find his rhythm and an opportunity to show the Warriors that they could have a different look with him on the court.
“You have to know, especially with this team, that your time will come,” McGee said. “You never know, next series I might not play at all and I’m not going to sit there and pout.”
Recently, the starting center position has been a revolving door of sorts. But Kerr opted to start McGee on Saturday, crediting his speed, length, and shot-blocking ability. After Saturday’s game, McGee pretty much cemented himself in that role this series.
“He was great,” Kerr said. “Yeah, there’s no reason to take him out.”
McGee has matured a lot this season, especially on the defensive end. He’s become a better communicator and a more thoughtful defender. He doesn’t jump every time someone shoots — or pretends to shoot.
Draymond Green, the reigning defensive player of the year, said that made a huge difference for the
Warriors in Game 1.
“It was very key on LaMarcus tonight that JaVale wasn’t going for the shot fakes and putting him at the free throw line,” Green said. “I don’t think [Aldridge] ever really found a rhythm because of that. You know, he’s really
grown in that area.”
McGee said he used to fly around a lot more when he was younger and more athletic. But now the 30-yearold takes a more restrained approach to his defense, a smarter one.
At one point in the second quarter, Aldridge
made a few head fakes before shooting and McGee stayed planted. When asked how he read that so well, McGee said it’s about staying patient.
“It’s not something you can prepare for,” McGee said. “You just have to wait, and it worked out for me, I guess.”
McGee actually said his defense was what got him rolling on the offensive end.
“When I get a blocked shot, it kind of gives me a little boost to run up and down the floor and maybe get a lob or go get an offensive rebound, tap it out,” McGee said. “I just really work off energy.”
Things clearly worked out for McGee on Saturday, and he credited that to the fact that he was able to remain calm and keep things in perspective throughout the season, even when things were tough.
“You have to take that in stride,” said McGee, who has played for five teams over his 10-season career. “This isn’t the craziest thing that’s ever happened in my life.”
McGee never got too low. He worked out hard at practices. He waited. And he waited. It ended up paying off.
McGee has earned the trust of his teammates and coaches, who are now just waiting to see what else he can accomplish.
“He’s still got room to grow, which is scary,” Thompson said.