After five teams and 10 years of playing in the NBA, JaVale McGee has finally become a consistently relevant starter to a playoff team. They say LeBron James makes better players out of his teammates, and the Los Angeles Lakers big man is a living, breathing, and shot-blocking proof of it.

JaVale McGee is having a stellar campaign with the Lakers where he's averaging 13.4 points and 2.6 blocks in 17 games — both career highs. He's been a perfect fit alongside James and the four-time Most Valuable Player talks about the things he's thankful for in McGee, per Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.

“I played against him in the last two NBA Finals and I wanted him on this team because I know what he brings,” said James, who lobbied the Lakers to get McGee. “It’s his energy, his energy level, his ability at the rim and his ability to protect the rim. If you don’t have that on your team, you’re not going to have much, man. You need to have people with a high IQ, which he’s got. That’s why I wanted JaVale to be part of this.”

While JaVale McGee has managed to remain active and athletic through the years, his lowlights, most of which can be seen on Shaqtin' A Fool, have tainted his real value. Fortunately for the Lakers, McGee was forced out of his situation in Oakland, forming a “meme team” in Hollywood — for what it's worth.

In a team with direction and leadership like that of LeBron James', a player like McGee will surely have a place. The Lakers are giving him the opportunity and he's capitalizing by sticking to the plan and not doing too much.

JaVale McGee is already a two-time champion. He played for one of the greatest teams ever assembled. There must be something to that and the Lakers are reaping the reward of their gamble so far.