JaVale McGee is grateful to LeBron James for lobbying the Lakers to sign him, Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press reports. The 30-year-old journeyman center is averaging a career-high 13.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG and 2.4 BPG after signing a one-year, $2.93MM contract over the summer. “He could have said get anybody,” McGee said. “It’s just a reassuring feeling, a confidence-builder I guess, knowing that you’re going into a situation wanted as an option, like you’re really wanted. That’s pretty dope.”
We have more on the Lakers and Clippers:
- The Lakers haven’t proven whether they’re a quality team yet and they’ll need to give James more help than he required in Cleveland if they want to compete for championships, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times opines. James is now in a tougher conference and while he might be able to drag the team into the playoffs, if would be easier if the players around him were more productive, Woike adds.
- Forward Mike Scott has become a valuable piece on the Clippers’ second unit since signing a one-year, $4.3MM contract over the summer, Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times notes. Scott has taken 64.4% of his shots beyond the arc and made 48.9% of them with top reserves Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell drawing most of the defensive attention.
- Clippers coach Doc Rivers doubts guard Milos Teodosic will wind up in Europe this season, Greif writes in the same piece. Teodosic has expressed frustration over his lack of playing time and speculated he could leave the Clippers before the season’s end despite his $6.3MM contract. Rivers shrugged it off. “We want Milos to be happy, too,” Rivers said. “He’s a great guy and he’s great for this organization. Obviously he hasn’t played the minutes or the way he wants to, but we love him around here, so we’ll figure that all out.”
- The Lakers are urging point guard Lonzo Ball to stay aggressive on a consistent basis, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.
Anyone else think Wall would like tuff guys Mike Scott and Marcin Gortat back? Even though he complained about big slow teammates.
What the hell, you have to urge a player to be aggressive? that passive attitude needs to be traded!!!
IDK who you mean, to be traded. I was referring to dangerous types Wall, Gortat and Scott being Wizards last year. Wall complained that the bigs were too slow, so the FO traded Gortat and did not re-up Scott.
This left Wall surrounded by soft players in Washington and Wall is getting a mutiny treatment by them. He is surely not happier than he was!
They didn’t re-sign Scott because they had literally 0 cap space besides the exception they used to sign Howard. If he had been open to re-signing for the vet minimum I bet the Wizards do that.
Wizards
I must say I was very excited about the young core the Lakers have got, specially Ball & Ingram, a bit less with Kuzma & Hart, but so far this year they have been very disappointing. I knew bringing a mega star like LBJ could stunt their progress, but man all 4 are disappointing, I mean even LBJ has always had 1 or 2 players do very well with him, so I just hope the kids can start producing, otherwise don’t know what’s gonna happen there.
Thank You
LBJ already playing pseudo GM role. I am sure Tragic Johnson loves to hear LBJ getting the credit instead of his small ego getting stroked. Those 2 will clash…not whether but when.
It’s been Lebron’s calls. Earvin hollering at Walton I think made it clearer. This will probably last one year & then they will hopefully have a new FA to listen to!
Lebron’s deal in Cleveland was just about KLove & Gilbert spending the maximum amount.