DENVER (AP) — Among the topics JaVale McGee considers himself
well-versed: Netflix shows, cryptocurrency, investments and
technology as it relates to the new iPhone.
“I’m really versed in the world of a lot of things,” he
said.
Go ahead and add winning NBA rings to that list, too. The
7-footer has been a part of three championship teams over the past
four seasons.
McGee believes his newest Denver Nuggets castmates have that
possible championship makeup, especially with the additions of
athletic forward Aaron Gordon and himself at the trade
deadline.
“This team has all the pieces,” McGee said Saturday as he
prepares for his second stint with the Nuggets after being acquired
from the Cleveland Cavaliers. "A lot of things have to go right,
but I feel like we have all the pieces for it to go right.”
First order of business — meshing.
Time is of the essence, too, for McGee and Gordon to get on the
same page with All-Star center and MVP candidate Nikola Jokic,
along with point guard Jamal Murray. It will have to be an
adjust-on-the-fly deal since practices are scarce in this condensed
season. The Nuggets (27-18) are currently fifth in the Western
Conference standings.
"I don’t think it’s going to take me long to get up to speed,”
said Gordon, who was acquired along with Gary Clark from Orlando
for guard Gary Harris, rookie R.J. Hampton and a future first-round
pick.
Ditto for McGee.
“It’s not really that complicated,” said McGee, who was brought
in from Cleveland for center Isaiah Hartenstein and two
second-round picks. “For me, it’s easy to mesh with anybody.”
The Nuggets went to the Western Conference finals last season
before losing to LeBron James and the eventual champion Los Angeles
Lakers, which also included McGee. Before that, McGee was part of
two Golden State teams that won behind Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant
& Co.
“I’m just trying to make sure that I bring that championship
pedigree,” McGee, 33, said. ”Just every day, make sure I'm doing
the right things, just setting the example."
This is a team that marches to the rhythm of Jokic, the big man
who's having the finest statistical season of his career in
averaging nearly a triple double (27.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and
8.6 assists). The Nuggets didn't want to squander this sort of
season in what appears to be a wide-open West.
“At the moment he’s the best player in the world. And he’s a guy
that should continue to raise all of our bars,” said Tim Connelly,
the Nuggets president of basketball operations. “We’re doing right
by him because he’s certainly doing right by the organization with
his play.
“There are a lot of teams that have the ability to go win it all
and I’d like to think we’re one of them.”
Before making moves that might disrupt team chemistry, Connelly
consults not only with coach Michael Malone but Murray and Jokic.
Connelly values their input.
“It’s saved me several times from making mistakes,” Connelly
said. “It’s important that they have ownership over that locker
room.”
Gordon brings another layer of athleticism to the roster, along
with an ability to cover the best wing players in the game. It’s a
role he relishes — and one of many he will be asked to fill by the
Nuggets.
“We all have a mutual understanding — just to be an athletic
slasher, runner, cutter, facilitator, spot-up shooter and tenacious
defender,” Gordon said.
As for blending in with Jokic, that's easy for Gordon: Simply
break toward the rim and the Nuggets big man will find him.
“I'm just here to make his job easy,” the 25-year-old Gordon
said. “His passing ability is incredible. I think my passing
ability is slept on.”
This is definitely a different sort of team than when McGee was
around the first time. He spent parts of four seasons in the Mile
High City before being dealt to Philadelphia in February 2015.
The perceptions of Denver have certainly changed over the past
six years.
“I feel like now, on the scouting report it says, ‘You better
play hard or this team is going to destroy you,'" McGee said. "I
feel like we got even better with the addition of me and Aaron, of
being a team that people look on the calendar and they know this
isn't going to be an easy game.
"I'm really excited of the things to come.”
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AP Sports Writer Arnie Stapleton contributed to this report.
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