Mavs' JaVale McGee: 'I'm definitely getting back to that elite level'
JaVale McGee says he'll be as athletic as ever in Dallas.
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1 min read
JaVale McGee is a lot of things. Insanely athletic is one of them, or it used to be. The Dallas Mavericks took a chance on the free-agent center this summer because they wanted someone who could play above the rim.
Ideally, he will be swatting shots, pulling down rebounds and finishing alley-oops that other players can't. In an interview with Mavs.com's Earl K. Sneed, he said that, with the help of Dallas' training staff, he'll be getting back to that:
“That was one of the major things about (signing with the Mavericks),” McGee confessed. “With how good the training staff is and all the training materials that they have and other teams don’t have, it’s definitely a good thing.
“I’m definitely getting back to that elite level. The injuries really slowed me down, so I’m definitely going to get 100 percent healthy and come out and give it my all.”
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“It’s definitely a positive thing, being a leaper as I am and a shot blocker and a dunker, so that’s definitely what teams need. I’m just somebody who keeps it simple, who dunks the ball, blocks shots and is just a presence in the paint. … [Mavs coach Rick Carlisle] just wants me to keep it simple, and just play as hard as I can and be a presence in the paint.”
Given that 2012-13 was the last time McGee was healthy and a part of an NBA rotation, it's fair to be skeptical. He does have a wingspan so long there was a "Sport Science" episode about it, but the Mavs are banking on the abilities of their training staff to get McGee right.
We're way past the point of talking about McGee like he can be anything close to an elite player. Elite athleticism, though? Perhaps that's possible, as he's still only 27 years old. If he can get there, Dallas will have minutes for him.
