Seven years ago, JaVale came through Dallas and left a big impression.
That was the problem.
He was too big.
While McGee’s return this season has had some ups and downs, the biggest reason why the Mavericks are happy to have the 7-footer back is because he’s a trimmed-down version of the guy who was ineffective back in 2015-16.
McGee says he’s playing at somewhere between 255 and 260 pounds, which is a big drop from where he was the first time around with the Mavericks.
“About 20 to 25 pounds,” he said. “I was 280 when I was here last time and now, I’m like 255 to 260 fluctuate. It helps a lot with jumping by far. Jumping, running, like I didn’t figure that out until then. That’s the crazy part.
“I couldn’t gain weight and then when I got here, I was like, ‘OK I got some weight on me now.’ This was also the (time) leaning away from the era of the Dwight Howards and the real dominate big men.
“That season, I was extremely heavy. And that was the first season I went vegan also, because I had to figure out a way to lose all that weight. I can’t be 280 if I want to be successful.”
Especially with the way the center position has changed in the past half-dozen years. Post-up centers are hard to find. Even the bigger ones – Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns – are spending a lot of time on the perimeter.
If McGee wants to be on the court, he has to not only protect the rim, but also be able to get out on the perimeter when needed. In a hurry.
Hence, the advantage of carrying a little less weight.
McGee is coming off a strong game in the 127-99 blowout win over Denver on Friday night. He hit 5-of-6 shots, had 10 points and grabbed four rebounds in 17 minutes.
He also had a spiffy face-up spin move in the paint that ended with a strong dunk.
“It felt amazing,” he said. “You know as a big man you usually don’t get to – well, at least me personally – I don’t really get into my bag a lot unless it’s the summer.
“So, it felt kind of good being able to do something else besides just catch lobs. But I love catching lobs – let me put that out there.”
McGee started this season as the starting center. But his role has morphed into a hybrid of coming off the bench and, when the matchup is advantageous, starting.
He’s not getting a ton of minutes. But he provides a valuable weapon because he’s the team’s best paint protector defensively.
McGee also is the senior Maverick in terms of experience. He’s in his 15th season, but remember, he only made the playoffs once in his first seven years in the NBA.
In that respect, he’s given new Mavericks’ forward Christian Wood some valuable advice.
McGee likes playing when Wood is on the court because a power forward who can score inside and out is a big help to allow McGee concentrate on what he does best.
He said that Wood, who has never been on a playoff team, is still learning to play “winning” basketball. Or at least, not allowing habits from the losing teams he was on previously to crop up with the Mavericks.
“He’s used to being on bad teams to where he could shoot any shot he wants, and no one is going to say anything,” McGee said of Wood. “As a team, we hold everyone accountable and he’s already going to get the shots. We’re running plays for him to get the shots. Sometimes he’s in the post and he passes it and I always tell him, ‘They’re not paying you to pass out the post unless you’re getting double teamed or something,’
“But he’ll pass it when he’s getting single coverage. I’m like: No, go to work. This is what you’re here for – to score so don’t pass those up. If you get double teamed, OK make the right basketball play, but other than that go to work try to get a bucket.”
Coach Jason Kidd has tinkered with the lineup and rotation a lot early in the season. And McGee has been around long enough to know that opportunities will come during an 82-game season.
With Maxi Kleber out on Friday, McGee was the primary big man behind starter Dwight Powell.
He ended up on the court for more minutes (17-to-13) than Powell.
It’s not always going to be that way and McGee is well aware of that.
But with his lighter frame and a good frame of mind, McGee is OK with the role he’s filling for a team that woke up Saturday tied for fourth in the Western Conference.
Twitter: @ESefko
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