Culture of Hoops

Javale McGee Trying To Live Like “The Dream”

Javale McGee is going to dominate the NBA. At least that’s what NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon thinks after teaching McGee some of the former’s legendary post moves. The Dream Shake gave many centers defending Olajuwon nightmares, and that was just one of what seemed like a thousand moves and adjustments that Olajuwon made during his 18-year career.

It’s easy to say that Olajuwon knows a thing or a dozen about domination. In his first dozen seasons, Olajuwon averaged at least a double-double (24.3 points and 12.2 rebounds on average), no less than 2.7 blocks (3.5 average), and won two NBA titles with the Houston Rockets (1994 and 1995), a team he played for every season except his last. Even in his latter six seasons, Olajuwon averaged 15.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 30.3 minutes.

Javale McGee, entering his fifth season at 24-years-old has never averaged those latter points and rebounds stats by Olajuwon when Dream was 34- to -39-years-old. And he thinks that McGee can dominate the NBA?

McGee is one of those players that has all of the physical tools and natural talent to succeed in a big way, but for some reason or another, hasn’t. Granted, he never had the veteran leadership and direction during his tenure in the league, particularly with the Washington Wizards, but his trade to the Denver Nuggets during the 2011-2012 season could be the kickstart to stardom that he needed. Polishing his offensive repertoire, a natural progression.

Check out the video below of McGee, along with New York Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire, practicing with Olajuwon:

Getting back to the Nuggets, George Karl is as respected a basketball mind as any and during his early coaching career with the Seattle SuperSonics, he had another young physical wunderkind to help become a better player – Shawn Kemp. That was a success and McGee could easily be another. While the Nuggets are young, they are a very focused group because of Karl and if Javale McGee is going to blossom for any coach, Karl is going to be it.

Finishing in transition, flushing an offensive rebound, and rejecting shots with flair happen on the regular for McGee. Add any degree of offensive moves to his game and Olajuwon doesn’t sound so crazy when he says that Javale McGee will dominate the NBA. McGee just mind do it and do it soon.

 

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