Lakers have played 197 minutes of basketball so far. In the 95 minutes JaVale McGee has played, they have a 100.5 Defensive Rating. That would rank 3rd. In the 102 minutes with McGee on the bench, they have a 123.4 Defensive Rating. That would rank 30th.
We're a team that likes to try and force TO's to get out in transition, so we depend on a defensive anchor to protect the rim when those TO attempts fail or guys leaks out early. Javale has provided that for us as a starter. Kuz has been awful at that position. Williams has been so-so.
We need another defensive backup big...stat. Since Johnathan Williams has come in and stopped our small ball nonsense, we’ve looked better. Imagine if we had someone more capable than him...
I am pretty positive you take all-star defense-oriented center from any team and the result would be similar. Thing is -- they don't do them like that anymore.
Notice the gravity he has on the pick and roll, he's a top quality lop target and frees up that corber three every time. We fed on that a lot tonight.
It's actually good that he does not play heavy minutes. More chance to rest = less chance of injury. And he is a high-flyer who also happens to be the fastest 7-footer in the league. His minutes are fine as is.
You know how he said during training camp: "I work very hard to be the fastest 7-footer in the NBA". And, really... look at him run the floor with Lonzo, Hart and Kuzma. It's poor Bron who ends up trailing them sometimes.
get Tyson Chandler dammit, give pho KCP and several 2nds or a highly protected 1st. Or better yet start the back channel tampering and get Chandler to request a buy out lol
That is exactly what I am talkin' bout and don't call me Willis, Gary Coleman. I figured McGee would be a really good pick up, but the KAT comparison is a cold stat if it can last. Really hope McGee can keep it going. A better center for the Lakers than bad laebrum dwight. He ain't Rodman, but he is putting some Rodman effort out there, love the way he runs back so quickly on D and his threat on the pick and roll and offense. Agree with all the perceptive comments above. Dare I say McGeee more than mana from heaven Mcgee is our leviathan. Except he has arms and he can block s*** and dunk and stuff.
Javale has been a pleasant treat this year. Ive always been one to think he was underrated and misunderstood. He is playing with a major chip on his shoulder, but the talent has always been there imo. Teams have never used him the way we are. To be fair no team has had 4 playmakers, 5 if you count BI and at least 2 playmakers on the court at all times, so he is really thriving in our system.
I'll add to this. Who just got a huge contract extension > KAT. Who just signed a 1 year deal > JaVale
yeah, imagine if we had more proficient weak side shooters. and i'm still amazed that we ignored the backup center spot entirely in the offseason. imagine if mcgee wasn't playing out of his mind right now. imagine if he gets hurt. yipes.
We’re playing with fire with this one. Zubac isn’t good for one. I appreciate that we signed on Williams, but he’s not a true C either. And if we’re relying on Mo, a rookie coming off of injury, well that’s just foolish. If McGee gets hurt we are screwed, especially on defense, a true backup C should have been added.
The Beasley signing is the biggest headscratcher right now...why we didn't bring back Brook still boggles my mind (and he's playing out of his mind right now Milwaukee)
