Much has been made about the type of role JaVale McGee will be playing for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. Many believe that he will be a key cog in L.A.'s defensive schemes this season, and as it appears, teammate Avery Bradley could not agree more.
According to the veteran point guard who joined the Lakers this summer on a two-year, $9.7 million deal, he believes that McGee is playing on an All-Defensive level at this point.
“First, JaVale so far, I know it’s early in the season but he’s playing at a First-Team defensive level to me,” Bradley said, via Christian Rivas of Silver Screen & Roll. “He’s one of the best bigs I’ve ever played with defensively.”
It's hard to argue with Bradley's sentiments here, especially considering the defensive numbers McGee has been putting up in the offseason for the Lakers. Aside from logging 7.8 rebounds in just 16.5 minutes of play, the big man has also been rejecting 2.5 shots per game.
Bradley went on to say that McGee's efficiency on the defensive end has allowed other players on the squad to focus more on their respective rolls.
“It helps us in our job, my job specifically, to make sure I get into those guys try to funnel them into the basket so those guys can have opportunities to block shots and we can get out on the rim,” added Bradley. “I’m gonna try to do that each and every night, nut it definitely makes it easier knowing that we have those guys down there.”
McGee is expected to start for L.A. on Tuesday, as they face off against their cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers on opening night.
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