Signed by the Mavericks during free agency in July after being promised a starting job, JaVale McGee has indeed started all six games he has played so far this season in Dallas. However, he hasn’t logged more than 14 minutes in any of those games, and was on the court for a season-low eight minutes on Wednesday vs. Utah.
With Dwight Powell, a full-time starter last season, playing more than McGee in each of the last three games, head coach Jason Kidd was asked about the Mavericks’ first-quarter struggles and whether Powell could move into the starting five in McGee’s place. As Callie Caplan of The Dallas Morning News tweets, Kidd first joked that he’d do it if he could start six players, then admitted it would be “something we talk about.”
As Tim MacMahon of ESPN notes (via Twitter), the Mavs have been a minus-30 in 68 minutes with McGee on the court, compared to a plus-50 in 56 minutes when Powell plays. Powell also earned a rave review on Wednesday from Spencer Dinwiddie, who spoke to reporters for upwards of four minutes about the big man, praising him for doing “a glory-less job” that allows his teammates to succeed, per Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com.
“In a lot of ways, he’s like that great left guard for a football team where Tom Brady is getting all the accolades and endorsements but if that dude isn’t protecting his blind side and isn’t doing it every single time, Tom Brady is getting his head knocked off,” Dinwiddie said. “DP is the ultimate pro. I have the upmost respect for him and I hope every single Mavs fan listens to this monologue and has a different respect level for DP because everybody is not going to get to shoot 20 times and score 30 points and do all of the flashy stuff and dunk and stuff.”
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- Pelicans forwards Brandon Ingram (concussion) and Herbert Jones (knee) have both been listed as probable for Friday’s game vs. Golden State, the team announced in a press release. Jones was initially listed as probable for New Orleans’ game on Wednesday before being downgraded to questionable and then out. However, it sounds like the Pels could have both players – neither of whom has played since October 23 – back tonight.
- After missing the first four games of the regular season due to an ankle issue, Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate played in the next three, but has since missed two more. As Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle writes, the team is trying to play it safe with Tate’s injury going forward. “It’s just a lot of games,” Tate said. “We just want to be cautious with it and make sure it’s fine. There’s just some things we have to discuss so I’ll be able to be consistent and be me. This is just part of the recovery process.”
- Although John Wall was away from the team during his final year in Houston, Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. said the five-time All-Star made a lasting impression on him during their time as teammates, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic. “John has impacted me tremendously,” Porter told Iko. “Just him being a big brother and a vet when he was here when I was first switching my position. I had a great vet to lean on and that was John Wall. … He helped me when I was trying to learn how to run a team and seeing him back out there (with the Clippers) was a blessing.”
- Long viewed as a model NBA franchise, the Spurs now face unfamiliar scrutiny as a result of the accusations levied against the team in a lawsuit filed by a former employee, says Mike Finger of The San Antonio Express-News.
Powell has long been an elite pick and roll partner for Luka, and has been part of historic offenses for them. It’s been weird when his role has decreased at times the last 2-3 years
I dont get why Eric Gordon is starting for Houston
New Orleans could be a tough matchup for GS, especially without Divincenzo’s guard defense off the bench, and I feel as though they need at least 2 of Iguodala, Kuminga, and Moody in that matchup, if not all 3, and to play well, as well as obviously big games from Wiggins and Draymond. Klay could also be a really big x factor in that matchup
Tate has to be cautious – it’s a long season and he has to be fully healthy and ready for the Summer Pro-Ams!
Boston looks to be ok, coaching wise…
Becky Hammon the next Spurs coach after this mess?
With Ingram back, the Pels are basically a lock to beat Golden State.
I feel like the Warriors are going to continue losing until they trade away Wiseman and get more veteran options on the wing to stabilize their defense. Wiseman has all the talent in the world, but he’s as raw as an oyster. The Warriors are -23 points /per 100 possessions with Wiseman on the floor. He doesn’t fit their offensive system, his defense is a work in progress at best, and he has no sense for offensive rebounding yet. Trade him to a rebuilding team to let him get some experience, get back a pick and veteran who can help them immediately.
Kid has played less than 60 games of high-level basketball IN HIS ENTIRE LIFE, and that means NBA, Division 1 College, or summer league. He is as raw as can be.
But, he’s super athletic, runs the floor well, with an absolutely excellent attitude, character and work ethic.
He’s not lost on offense.. the man can shoot, score in the lane, and throws it down hard when given a window of space. He’s aggressive and not soft as with other athletic big men at times. I say give him a chance to grow a little bit and see what they have.
I always said he reminds me of Hassan Whiteside, without the total lack of caring and effort/attitude problem, but more allowed to actually cultivate his skills when he was younger, without as many restrictions
He doesmt have the shot blocking and offensive rebound instincts/hands Whiteside has, but they can definitely teach him to be more disciplined defensively, and not be a stat chaser, and work on pick and roll defense and awareness.
I think if they work with him on his passing/willingness to pass and the stuff I mentioned defensively, he is useful as a bench big, b/c in that role, he can be more of an option offensively, and isnt as much of a liability defensively, even though it’s still an issue, and can play more controlled minutes
Honestly, I think part of the issue right now is also what is around him, and they havent had Iguodala, they dont have any other guard defense having lost Payton and Divincenzo being out, they lost what Porter brought defensively at the 4/3 as well as his spacing, and Kuminga has had a slow start at the 4/3 as well
Woth Rollins there, I’m not really sure how necessary Ty Jerome is. I might have used that spot on someone that can guard at the guard spot. Would love to see Shaq Harrison on this team, but there were/are other options
Well Eon, you’re right about New Orleans being a lock to win tonight. It’s all young guys this evening.
Steph, Klay, Draymond, Wiggins, DiVincenzo and Iguodala all out versus the Pelicans. Good chance to see the kids play Big minutes.
left tackle spence. stick to dribbling.