JaVale McGee will help the Phoenix Suns get vertical
Stretching out as a seven-footer, only 10 other current NBA players stand taller than JaVale McGee. Even more distinctly though, McGee possess a 31.5 inch vertical—something nearly unseen with players as tall as him.
Nearly matching his height, McGee’s wingspan also reaches out to 7-foot-6, which once even allowed him to dunk two basketballs at once. That was several years ago, but those dimensions remain intact today, still making him a freakishly large figure.
Collectively, these tools allow McGee to cover up ground quickly as a defender, fitting quite nicely with Phoenix’s gritty, defensive identity.
Even with McGee’s minimal minutes during the postseason last year, he still lead the Nuggets with 1.3 blocks per game—almost certainly due to his impressive size. He essentially fears nobody while going up at the rim, even the league’s most decorated dunkers.
Javale McGee with an incredible block of a Terrence Ross dunk attempt. pic.twitter.com/DLxWPUrHkI
— Louis Keene (@thislouis) January 16, 2020
But offensively speaking, McGee’s size and bounce allows him to threaten as an alley-oop finisher anytime he takes the floor. Having displayed a real talent for hitting soaring bigs like Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and now Deandre Ayton with timely lobs, watch especially for Chris Paul to connect with him for ferocious throw downs.