NBA Rumors: Should JaVale McGee Start for Denver Nuggets?

That’s correct, according to Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl, McGee, the $44 million man, is more than likely going to see his minutes within the second-unit, not as a member of the starting five.

Via Benjamin Hochman of The Denver Post:

Training camp is going to tell me who plays. My idea right now is Mozgov would start with Faried and JaVale would stay with (reserve point guard) Andre Miller. But again, I don’t (care) about starting lineups, and you guys are already stirring the pot. It’s all about how many minutes you play, who you play with, how well you play and how we play (when you’re on the court). Kosta Koufos is in the mix, too. Let’s make sure you understand that. In the last 15-20 games of the season, when Timo got hurt, Kosta not only played well but good enough to get us to the playoffs.

Now, when taking McGee’s pay grade out of the equation, Karl’s logic makes sense, and in reality, doesn’t affect the center’s production that much.

In his 20 games with the Nuggets last season, the big man started in just five and averaged nearly seven minutes less per contest. That said, he put up comparable numbers to his time with the Washington Wizards, averaging 10.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per night.

And as far as point guards go, the 24-year-old McGee is undoubtedly a better fit alongside Andre Miller than Ty Lawson. Miller is 36 while Lawson is 24, and while no one is belittling Lawson’s ability, Miller, as a veteran, is more disciplined, which right now, is what McGee needs. And Karl knows it.

I think Andre has such a distinctive ability to see a play before it happens. And JaVale has such a large, athletic space to get the ball to, above the defense. So the lobs and spins and all that stuff, Andre has the courage to throw the ball — and he throws it very well.

You see, for all of the athleticism McGee possesses, he’s still incredibly raw. His defense is prolific, yet his decision making is questionable. He can be dominant on the offensive glass, but also has a tendency to disappear on the end of the floor as well. He needs someone to keep him in check, to develop plays where he is most comfortable, so that he can do what he never did in Washington—reach his lofty ceiling.

And currently, Miller, not Lawson is the man for the job. His ball-placement is more precise and he’s more direct as a leader, having been around for almost 15 years.

On the flip side, though, it is imperative that McGee and Lawson see ample playing time alongside each other. They need to develop that chemistry, McGee needs to develop respect for him and Lawson must familiarize himself with how he can capitalize off his teammate’s explosion.

Because as talented as the McGee-Miller duo may be for now, Miller is not the future of this organization, but Lawson and McGee are. There is going to come a time, most likely when his contract expires, when Miller retires, and if McGee is still in Denver, his production and potential impact will dwindle if there isn’t a point guard whom he trusts.

But that comes later. It’s too soon to be thinking that far ahead. The fact is, if McGee doesn’t develop more of a well-rounded conscience, it won’t matter who the point guard is, he’ll never reach his full potential.

That’s the biggest concern right now. And while playing time is often considered the most effective method of player development, for McGee it’s different.

Does he need to see plenty of time on the court? Of course, but more important than that, he needs to be playing alongside someone who maximizes every minute he does spend on the court, someone established, who isn’t still developing himself, like Lawson.

Currently, that player, despite his age, Miller. And subsequently, despite what his salary suggests, McGee and the Nuggets are much better off if he continues to come off the bench.