Truth About It» Visual Study Guide: When JaVale McGee Can Dribble& When He Can’t

From the lips of Flip Saunders on Friday night:

“I think everyone in this room and in the arena does not like the fact that {JaVale McGee} gets the ball at three quarters court and thinks that he’s a 6’2″ guard and starts dribbling.”

Seems like a valid concern, perhaps a good teaching point. So, in hopes of helping the student, we have a handy visual coaching aid below (with the setting of D.C.’s Union Station).

First…

The bench reaction to JaVale McGee’s dribbling turnover, to which Flip Saunders was referring, against the Orlando Magic:

{via@CJ_202SB}

Now…

When JaVale McGee CANNOT Dribble.

In this picture, McGee is 7’1″… Nope, can’t dribble three quarters court here, sure can’t. There isn’t a more oblivious basketball play than when 7’1″ McGee makes his hubris emitting forays in the open floor.

Moving on…

When JaVale McGee CAN Dribble.

Here, he’s clearly 6’2″, just a few inches above Saunders’ 5’11″. Dribbling is totally cool to do in his coaching situation… full speed ahead.

Look for Trevor Booker running the floor and taking the 7’1″ JaVale McGee’s minutes with hustle and by keeping his game simple and confidently taking offensive chances within the offense, but mostly creating points for himself by playing at the rim. Yep, 6’2″ Epic Vale, Cook Book would be totally fun to run with and pass to the ball to, especially because he plays hard-nosed defense.

Back to Reality.
(an old screen capture, but a frequently occurring scene)

And for something that 7’1″ McGee can do that 6’2″ McGee can’t,
this dunk:

Source