JaVale McGee emerges as the main reinforcement the Phoenix Suns have shut down during the offseason. For quality, experience and, mainly, usefulness to cover the most visible deficiencies. In the past playoffs, the need to strengthen the interior game became clear, especially after the serious injury suffered by Dario Saric during the first game of the Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Throughout this tie, Arizona’s team was widely outclassed on the rebound (278-234), while they were unable to place on the court a player capable of offering quality minutes as a replacement for Deandre Ayton. The Bucks took advantage of this imbalance, affecting the paint and charging fouls to the center headline.
Now, this problem has been fixed, at least on paper. McGee himself has taken the witness and claimed to be able to answer all those doubts that the frontcourt last year.
“I definitely saw that that backup center position could have been a lot stronger when Deandre got into foul trouble. It took another great body there to protect the rim, “said McGee on the chain. Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “I watched the games and focused on seeing the way Chris Paul was pulling the strings and feeding the big man. “
Thus, it is expected that McGee provided an alternative of guarantees for the painting of the Suns, mainly in the defensive section. The ‘5’ acknowledged having been impressed by the team’s ability to stand in the Finals despite having eight players from the roster that he had never played a playoff series.
“I have spoken with Chris [Paul] and he told me how hard the team works, ”McGee continued. “And that is the main thing that I have always seen in the champion teams: who works, who is willing to be in the gym before and after the sessions, who is continuously focused. And, as a team, which ones stay together, at least during the season, for dinner, going places, together. “
On an individual basis, McGee said he is prepared to contribute in any way Monty Williams requests, regardless of role or number of minutes. “No, I have no guarantee of minutes. I just think, ‘OK, I’m a veteran, I understand my situation and I’m just going to make an impact in the minutes I’m on the court. “
(Cover photo by Dustin Bradford / Getty Images)