After six preseason games, JaVale McGee has proven that he deserves to retain the starting center spot he was trusted last year.
Much has been said about the starting center position for the Los Angeles Lakers in the past months.
First, JaVale McGee was the obvious choice returning after a great season that saw him score a career-high 12 points plus two blocks. Then, the Lakers added DeMarcus Cousins and opinions were divided on who predicted him steal the starting spot from McGee, and who saw him as a weapon to come off the bench to sustain the team in big minutes while the starters rest.
Before having a clear answer, Cousins tore his ACL and the Lakers suddenly found themselves thin at the position. The dossier Dwight Howard surfaced and the former Laker was brought on board, ready to redeem himself from his past conduit and do whatever he is asked for.
Legit questions were raised again on who should land the starting job, considering Howard’s resume, past status and renewed shape.
Head coach Frank Vogel clarified nothing was set in stone (except for Anthony Davis and LeBron James) before training camp, and he would look for the most effective combinations.
Well, through the first four preseason games it has been pretty clear that McGee deserves to start at center. Although Howard has been far from disappointing, JaVale has met a certain standard that made him an efficient and impactful piece as expected.
In the first game against the Golden State Warriors, he plainly displayed that efficiency recording a double-double (10 and 13) in just 16 minutes. In two minutes more, Howard recorded nine points and nine rebounds with a poor plus/minus of -6, compared to McGee’s 11.
Then came the controversial China games, where JaVale was brought off the bench both times, while Howard was given the chance to start in the first one. New rotations, same result.
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As a starter, Howard scored a poor five points, eight rebounds and one block, while in the same playing time his teammate had six points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and three steals. His plus-minus crushed Howard’s one 11 to -1. In the second one, both came off the bench, and while their production was similar, plus-minus made the difference once again, seeing McGee’s -5 best Howard’s -11.
Against the Warriors again, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year started once more and had a good all-around game with 12 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and four steals, and performed better than JaVale with a 7 plus-minus.
Anyway, in more limited playing time, the former Warrior showed up strong on the defensive end collecting three blocks along with 11 points and five rebounds. In their next-to-last meeting, he regained his starting role and the two had a similar production, while McGee’s better plus-minus benefits of his starting mates.
Despite Dwight Howard’s newfound health and condition, overall JaVale McGee fits better today’s style of game. Dwight still has a place on the floor, but McGee deserves the starting spot he earned his last three seasons playing for the Warriors and the Lakers, rebuilding a career that seemed lost. Make no mistake, Howard’s contribution will be critical off the bench and this time around it is his chance to resurrect his career.
The two centers have so far been satisfactory members of the team, embracing their roles and giving cohesion to Lakers’ defense. As the season goes on their confidence and fit will grow and the initial Cousins’ disappointment will become only a distant memory (at least for the Lakers).