Los Angeles Lakers: Top 3 centers of the 2010s
3. JaVale McGee 2018-19
With all due respect to the likes of Tarik Black, Brook Lopez and Robert Sacre, JaVale McGee takes the number three spot on this list. The Lakers signed McGee in 2018 to help their depth at center. They would get more then they would expect as he would go on to average 12 points, 7.5 rebounds and two blocks per game.
He shot 62.4% from the floor and seemed to play rejuvenated basketball. Although advanced stats metrics rated him poorly on offense and defense, not many Lakers graded out well during the season. His offensive rating was 106.7 and his defensive rating was 111.1, which was a -4.4 net-rating.
His eFG% was the second-highest of his career at 62.5% and his TS% was the third-highest at 63.4%. His play was good enough to earn him another year in Los Angeles as the Lakers re-signed him this past offseason. He is continuing to improve for a Lakers team that sits at the top of the West.
This season McGee has taken his play to another level on both ends of the floor playing for a team that is considered a contender. He is the starting center and his advanced stats show the team plays well with him on the floor. His offensive rating is 112.8 and his defensive rating is 105.7, that’s good for a qualifying career-high of a +7.1 net-rating.
The Lakers are playing good basketball and McGee is a big part of that. He’s on pace for career highs in eFG%, TS%, REB% and FG%. He takes the number three spot here.