JaVale McGee Was Robbed

JaVale McGee Was Robbed

Topic Author: Daniel Chanin

Posted: 10:50 PM Feb 19, 2011

Replies Posted: 10 comments

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Let's get something straight: I'm no homer. I do like to see local guys do well, but I remain objective. That being said, former Wolf Pack star JaVale McGee got completely hosed on Saturday night in Los Angeles.

For those of you who weren't watching the NBA's Slam Dunk Contest (something I ordinarily wouldn't blame you for), the former Wolf Pack star finished second to Blake Griffin after the Clippers' star dunked a ball while soaring over the front hood of a car to the sounds of a choir singing "I Believe I Can Fly." Cheesiness aside, it was first-degree robbery and obviously a clear case of home cooking.

For starters, McGee is seven feet tall, which puts him at a tremendous disadvantage. I've seen seven-footers who can't even tie their own shoes without falling over and on Saturday night, this man was dunking basketballs with mind-blowing ease and unmatched athleticism.

McGee's dunks included two balls in two hoops at the same time; three balls in ONE hoop at the same time; and an acrobatic baseline dunk where he nearly smacked his head on the side of the backboard. Quite a resume. But because it didn't involve a shiny automobile it wasn't championship worthy? Please.

Is this what the dunk contest has become (rhetorical question)? Are we so mesmerized by props that they outweigh talent? Pound-for-pound, seven feet tall, it doesn't matter. However, you want to slice it up, JaVale McGee was the Slam Dunk champ on Saturday night. Afterwards, McGee said the only way to top Griffin's spectacle was to get a plane. I wish we could go back to the days when the most elaborate dunk contest prop was Dr. J's afro.

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

by Deweycompost Location: Cyberspace on Mar 21, 2011 at 05:26 PM

I have no love for McGee or any other former Wolf Pack player that left prior to graduation. I'm actually pleased he got hosed.

by Josh Location: Reno on Feb 21, 2011 at 12:52 AM

I completely agree. McGee's dunks were actually original. Most dunks now are played. Even the free throw dunk is old. And the car dunk was lame. McGee stole the show!

by DeezNuts Location: Right Here on Feb 20, 2011 at 06:49 AM

Mcgee got robbed. Straight up. Better dunks

by Ènèkèss Location: massachusetts on Feb 20, 2011 at 04:24 AM

The whole thing is a popularity contest. Fan voting is a damn joke. Had it been up to the judges Griffin would have never won. McGee was by far the superior dunker.

by Luke Location: Home of the Caps on Feb 20, 2011 at 12:45 AM

I couldn't tell agree with more, and all of a sudden theres this new rule of all places, of all times to make the last two dunks scores based solely on fan votes? With the judges having no effect what so ever? But it's arguable both ways, as you could also say that Javale McGee was handed a lot of retries that might have not been allowed in previous years. It was also very apparent that there was a lack of strategy. For example; J-Mac decided to go all out with his best dunks first, while Blake Griffin clearly made the smarter choice by saving his most crowd appealing dunks for last. And who knew his practice dunks video would the the source of idea-hijacking for another opponent and eventually throw off his dunk order? Blame the location, the fans, the rule setters, maybe even go as far to blame Serge Ibaka. However in my opinion, it was the negligence that the smallest things can determine an outcome, which can even be applied as a life lesson. Basketball lesson; lack of strategy.

by jason Location: dallas on Feb 20, 2011 at 12:22 AM

Yep, your right. Still a fun night of entertainment. I'm a huge Blake Griffin fan and have never heard of McGee, but McGee clearly won...I used to watch the nba very closely but gave up a year or 2 ago.