Center demonstrates an improved jump hook in scrimmage JaVale McGee is still uncomfortable getting praise from the Wizards’ coaching staff.
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Long lamented as a supremely athletic 7-footer with limitless potential but a lack of focus, McGee ended up with the Wizards-branded hard hat at the end of day three of training camp Sunday. He was handed it by Andray Blatche, who was recognized by Wizards coach Flip Saunders as the hardest-working player in practice.
“I felt like it was staged or something, but I don’t know,” said McGee, who showed off his improved jump hook and made a number of easy dunks during the evening scrimmage session.
Said Saunders: “I think the biggest thing with younger players, when they start making development is when they learn to play with a purpose and not just to play. JaVale had a great practice today. He was really good, made a lot of those jump hooks, and he really played under control, and I think that’s a giant step.”
On the second of consecutive days with both morning and evening practices on the Verizon Center practice court, Blatche fought through cramps on the final drill of the night to earn the award from Saunders.
But Blatche deferred to McGee, who believes he can average double figures in scoring and rebounding as well as three or more blocks a game this season. He put up 10.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 2010-11.
“He’s finally starting to get it,” Blatche said. “He’s staying around the rim. His hook shot is working. He’s working hard on defense. He’s talking more. Even though I had a great practice, I felt that he deserved it as well as me.”
In his first practice with the Wizards since being acquired Saturday, forward/center Ronny Turiaf said he immediately recognized the chemistry between McGee and Blatche while offering himself as a reprise of a player the Wizards had two seasons ago.
“Whatever I can do,” Turiaf said when asked what he will bring to the team. “Just energy, being able to try to lock guy down on the lock block, just trying to play the game the right way, trying to get guys easy baskets. I kind of see myself as a Fabricio Oberto-type of player, and I know he had good success here, so I’m going to follow in his footsteps.”
On a team that in the early days of camp appears to have shown signs of working hard and focusing on defense and effort, Saunders welcomed Turiaf’s toughness and basketball smarts.
“He knows how to play,” Saunders said. “He really moves the ball when he gets it, got very good knowledge, and the other guys have good practices because he pushes them and they know that he’s there.”
