Hakeem Olajuwon says JaVale McGee should dominate the NBA

[jongib369]

"Over the past few years, we've discussed Hakeem Olajuwon's very pricey coaching sessions on NBA post play with players ranging from LeBron James to Dwight Howard. Yet, while Hakeem's tutoring has produced positive results, those players also started out as established stars. As yet, Olajuwon has yet to tute someone who hasn't yet made an All-Star team.
His summer work with Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee, then, holds a great deal of interest. In addition to being a player who hasn't yet fulfilled most of his considerable potential, McGee is also seen as one of the NBA's great blank slates, potentially a perennial All-Star but a player who hasn't yet received much in the way of proper instruction.
Hakeem, for his part, sees the same level of promise. In fact, after working with JaVale recently, Olajuwon says that McGee should dominate the league. From Mark Berman for MyFoxHouston.com (via PBT):
"No question, I see him as another star," Olajuwon said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "That guy should dominate the league.


http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/hakeem-olajuwon-says-javale-mcgee-dominate-nba-224109998--nba.html




What do you guys think, does Mcgee have the potential if he puts his MIND to it


http://i.qkme.me/3pd9v0.jpg

[CavaliersFTW]

Does McGee even have a mind? :confusedshrug:

[chips93]

"Over the past few years, we've discussed Hakeem Olajuwon's very pricey coaching sessions on NBA post play with players ranging from LeBron James to Dwight Howard. Yet, while Hakeem's tutoring has produced positive results, those players also started out as established stars. As yet, Olajuwon has yet to tute someone who hasn't yet made an All-Star team.


he has worked with emeka okafor and josh smith

[FreezingTsmoove]

he has worked with emeka okafor and josh smith

as well as Moe Harkless a rookie

[2LeTTeRS]

he has worked with emeka okafor and josh smith

Yeah but that doesn't fit the "let's hype McGee" agenda.

[jongib369]

Does McGee even have a mind? :confusedshrug:
I don't know, you tell me? I see a basketball genius like Bird, Russell and Duncan waiting to happen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgSYA3Gb7oI

[swi7ch]

Would drop 50 on Wilt blindfolded.

[NuggetsFan]

He'll never be a star. I think his basketball IQ is too low. He'll show a crazy move and make you go holy shit but than he'll turn around and try to do that move in a situation where an 11 year old would know that it won't work. As a Nuggets fan I don't really mind. Most of the mistakes he's made have been from trying to do to much, effort is never a problem. I think with the center crop in today's game he could potentially be an All-Star caliber player if things go right. Think like 15\10 and 2 blocks on a Nuggets team that's winning games.

This year will be the big test. In his brief time with the Nuggets in a more reduced role he never made that boneheaded plays. There wasn't one play that made you LOL like when he was in Washington. He actually had a game winning tip that he showed huge restraint waiting to avoid the goaltend which before coming to Denver I thought would be impossible.

Consistency and knowing when and when not to use his moves and keeping the mistakes low in starting minutes will be the key to how successful he is.

Also I remember reading somewhere that McGee never got a big man coach before? The Wizards never set anything up? Can any Wizards fans comment on that?

[KLovin]

Way too many "yet"s in the first two paragraphs.

Anyway, watching Mcgee during the Lakers-Nuggets series really showed me that he has a pretty impressive repertoire of moves that he can pull out on the offensive end. Those moves all tend to be complemented very well by his great wingspan too. With Hakeem's tutelage, I really wouldn't be too surprised to see Mcgee bust out some great looking hooks and good, wide spin moves to set up a variety of shots like that very nice Chamberlain finger roll he uses from time to time. Looking forward to seeing this guy develop.

[jongib369]

Way too many "yet"s in the first two paragraphs.

Anyway, watching Mcgee during the Lakers-Nuggets series really showed me that he has a pretty impressive repertoire of moves that he can pull out on the offensive end. Those moves all tend to be complemented very well by his great wingspan too. With Hakeem's tutelage, I really wouldn't be too surprised to see Mcgee bust out some great looking hooks and good, wide spin moves to set up a variety of shots like that very nice Chamberlain finger roll he uses from time to time. Looking forward to seeing this guy develop.
when he busted out that finger roll I said to myself "of all the players to bring that classic Wilt move back....MCGEE!?" haha

[Kyle_korver]

hes gonna be a star watch!!... he has his moments when he shows flashes.. he was doing work against bynum and gasol last year n i recall him gettin a triple double with points rebounds and blocks on the wizards... coach karl is gonna mold him into a very good player.. watch

[bagelred]

He definitely has star "potential". The tools are there. It's certaintly a very good risk Nuggets took in trading and signing him long term. There aren't many centers with his abilities.

If they could JUST teach him to run right way on defense, I think might work.

[Nick Young]

He will still be a bonehead on D with no positional awareness, and also he will still be a tunnel-vision bonehead on offense, however that might not matter if he does actually gain a few decent moves, he'd be able to dominate.

[niko]

He'll never be a star. I think his basketball IQ is too low. He'll show a crazy move and make you go holy shit but than he'll turn around and try to do that move in a situation where an 11 year old would know that it won't work. As a Nuggets fan I don't really mind. Most of the mistakes he's made have been from trying to do to much, effort is never a problem. I think with the center crop in today's game he could potentially be an All-Star caliber player if things go right. Think like 15\10 and 2 blocks on a Nuggets team that's winning games.

This year will be the big test. In his brief time with the Nuggets in a more reduced role he never made that boneheaded plays. There wasn't one play that made you LOL like when he was in Washington. He actually had a game winning tip that he showed huge restraint waiting to avoid the goaltend which before coming to Denver I thought would be impossible.

Consistency and knowing when and when not to use his moves and keeping the mistakes low in starting minutes will be the key to how successful he is.

Also I remember reading somewhere that McGee never got a big man coach before? The Wizards never set anything up? Can any Wizards fans comment on that?

There's a really good article on him in SI. I will try to find it. Gave you a good perspective on him both good and bad. Seems like a great guy, reminds me a bit of Artest, who everyone loves when you ask about him, but can't get out of his own way (but with his idiosynchrisies not being violent, just stupid).

[jongib369]

I wish he had a better mind..or more maturity...That guys size and athletic ability + a good basketball mind could do a hell of a lot of damage

[Nick Young]

The play that perfectly illustrates JaVale
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlWNoVETdk4
Steals the ball at half court, runs like a guard, takes off from the freethrow line on the wideopen fast break and then bricks the dunk.

[riseagainst]

http://i.qkme.me/3pd9v0.jpg

omg :roll: :roll: :roll:

[kurple]

The play that perfectly illustrates JaVale
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlWNoVETdk4
Steals the ball at half court, runs like a guard, takes off from the freethrow line on the wideopen fast break and then bricks the dunk.
wtf.. they are down by 25 with 24sec left.

let him try a ft line dunk

[TAZORAC]

McGee doesn't have a good skillset, he's just althetic. He's the Center version of Jamario Moon.


Mcgee can't handle the ball, has no post moves, and can't shoot. He's on the court and really doesn't know what he's doing. He's been in the NBA 4 going on 5 years now so the "upside" theory about him is a myth.

[NuggetsFan]

McGee doesn't have a good skillset, he's just althetic. He's the Center version of Jamario Moon.


Mcgee can't handle the ball, has no post moves, and can't shoot. He's on the court and really doesn't know what he's doing. He's been in the NBA 4 going on 5 years now so the "upside" theory about him is a myth.

Nah. He has moves down low he just struggles with knowing when and when not to utilize them and consistency. He's got a good touch around the rim too. He's got the physical features and enough skill to be something in the NBA. His basketball IQ is what holds back and is what will continue to handcuff him.

Jamario Moon? Maybe. If he was 7 feet tall :oldlol:

[Nick Young]

McGee doesn't have a good skillset, he's just althetic. He's the Center version of Jamario Moon.


Mcgee can't handle the ball, has no post moves, and can't shoot. He's on the court and really doesn't know what he's doing. He's been in the NBA 4 going on 5 years now so the "upside" theory about him is a myth.
He's more like Gerald Green. Elite athleticism and solid skills, just a bozo.

[The Ownage]

Man, that is a poorly-written article. And I rarely notice these things.

[steve]

when he busted out that finger roll I said to myself "of all the players to bring that classic Wilt move back....MCGEE!?" haha

McGee's always been someone who tries to walk before they can crawl. There are things that he tries to do without necessarily having the base to pull them off, like this sweeping hook that he'll pull out every so often that I don't think has been used on a regular basis since the '50s.

[NugzFan]

im not saying mcgee is suddenly a basketball genius but does he have any lol-worthy dumbass plays since being traded to denver? all the youtube videos are him in washington.

hes not perfect, but hes a lot better than he has been in the past. a new organization did wonders for the kid.

[blacknapalm]

McGee's always been someone who tries to walk before they can crawl. There are things that he tries to do without necessarily having the base to pull them off, like this sweeping hook that he'll pull out every so often that I don't think has been used on a regular basis since the '50s.

you know who also does this? tiago splitter. splitter sort of has an old fashioned post game but everywhere else, mcgee and splitter couldn't be any different


im not saying mcgee is suddenly a basketball genius but does he have any lol-worthy dumbass plays since being traded to denver? all the youtube videos are him in washington.

hes not perfect, but hes a lot better than he has been in the past. a new organization did wonders for the kid.

ya, i think karl will work on positional and discipline drills with him. i'm kind of expecting a breakout year

[Living Being]

Hope he does well, but he might do the Dream Shake behind the three point line, cause a million WTF's across the nation.

[steve]

you know who also does this? tiago splitter. splitter sort of has an old fashioned post game but everywhere else, mcgee and splitter couldn't be any different

I wish McGee took a page out of Splitter's defense though. The way Splitter plays straight and tall in the post could really help McGee as a defender. Haha, in the Big O video thread, someone pointed to Jerry Lucas doing those swinging hook shots and wonder why no one did that anymore.

[Fudge]

hes gonna be a star watch!!... he has his moments when he shows flashes.. he was doing work against bynum and gasol last year n i recall him gettin a triple double with points rebounds and blocks on the wizards... coach karl is gonna mold him into a very good player.. watch
And do you recall how he got that triple double? :facepalm :rolleyes:

[CavaliersFTW]

And do you recall how he got that triple double? :facepalm :rolleyes:
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: worst triple double in NBA history

[blacknapalm]

I wish McGee took a page out of Splitter's defense though. The way Splitter plays straight and tall in the post could really help McGee as a defender. Haha, in the Big O video thread, someone pointed to Jerry Lucas doing those swinging hook shots and wonder why no one did that anymore.

agree with about all this. you don't even really see magic's baby hook much anymore

[Bigsmoke]

i dont know about dominate but he'll improve

[kurple]

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: worst triple double in NBA history
that entire washington team was a joke.. I remember a game where Blatched wanted that tripple double BADLY

he didnt have a single wtf moment in Denver.. He had a couple of bad goaltends, but i'll take that anyday.

I'd rather him be stupid in that way, than the JR Smith way

[Poetry]

Would drop 50 on Wilt blindfolded.

Guess somebody just started watching the NBA...:facepalm

[shallehalle]

Guess somebody just started watching the NBA...:facepalm
guess somebody isn't familiar with the word sarcasm

[Smoke117]

Training and working out with Hakeem Olajuwon isn't what JaVale Mcgee needed. What he needed was a brain transplant from Hakeem. He's still that same dumb mother ****er at the end of the day.

[mrhoopfan]

I don't G. Karl is going to use him where he gets a bunch of post touches....I see more weak side action for him off screen and rolls

[jongib369]

I really hope he gets some brains and starts playing smart....I'd love to see a player transform his game like that

[jongib369]

Training and working out with Hakeem Olajuwon isn't what JaVale Mcgee needed. What he needed was a brain transplant from Hakeem. He's still that same dumb mother ****er at the end of the day.
Haha!!!

[KyrieTheFuture]

He vastly improved in the WTF area once he got traded.

[SpecialQue]

I've noticed a ton of hype around JaVale during the off season. I really need to get my ass to that Clippers/Nuggets Vegas game.

[NugzFan]

Training and working out with Hakeem Olajuwon isn't what JaVale Mcgee needed. What he needed was a brain transplant from Hakeem. He's still that same dumb mother ****er at the end of the day.

Based on?

I asked before but I don't think anyone found it - is there any YouTube videos of stupid McGee plays while in Denver or are all from washington?

[insidehoops]

More on this:

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=10779

[kurple]

More on this:

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=10779
excellent piece

[TheBigVeto]

Olajuwon is one crazy dude. I didn't believe it until I read about him crying in the 96 olympics because he didn't get PT.

[SourPatchKids]

Maniac McGee.