After a summer spent concocting his own storylines — including high-flying dunks, a self-prescribed new nickname and, of course, planking — Wizards center JaVale McGee had no idea what he got himself into after attending a meeting of locked out NBA players Friday in Los Angeles. After leaving the meeting early, McGee told reporters, “There’s definitely some guys in there saying that they’re ready to fold, but the majority are willing to stand strong.”
The honesty was refreshing but struck at the heart of union solidarity. It was also summarily dismissed.
“The person that spent the least amount of time in the room can’t make that statement,” NBPA president Derek Fisher said. Despite the presence of multiple reporters, McGee then made things worse in an attempt to diffuse the situation.
“I never said anyone is ready to fold! Media always wanna turn it!” he tweeted, shortly before getting on a plane to the Philippines, where it will be much easier to lie face down for fun and have everyone call him “Pierre.”
– Craig Stouffer
