Lakers news: Warriors coach Steve Kerr says he had a 'preconceived notion' about JaVale McGee that was 'totally false'

Los Angeles Lakers center JaVale McGee went to the Golden State Warriors with a bad reputation, but Steve Kerr said it was "totally false."

For years, JaVale McGee has been showcased on highlight reels. Reaching to the sky to rip down blocks and throwing down thunderous alley-oops, the new Los Angeles Lakers center is undeniably an athletic freak.

However, McGee has also been the centerpiece of a highlight reel that no NBA player wants to feature on: Shaqtin' a Fool, a segment where Shaquille O'Neal breaks down the boneheaded plays of the week.

Along with the athletic feats, McGee has had plenty of clips go viral of him running the wrong way on the court and getting stuffed by the rim even though he seems like he can dunk without even jumping.

Unfortunately for McGee, these negative clips outweighed the positive ones, and he began to be known around the league as a clown, a jokester who didn't really take the game of basketball too seriously.

This perception carried all the way to the head coach of the most dominant team in the league right now. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told Kevin Ding of Lakers.com:

“I can tell you, I had a preconceived notion about JaVale before he got here that turned out to be totally false.”

McGee came to the team at the beginning of the 2016-17 season and immediately had to defend his reputation. Soon, his work spoke for itself.

McGee never played big minutes, but he started sporadically and was always ready to contribute. People around the Warriors had this to say:

“… his demeanor was consistently positive and dedicated in two years. He wound up rewarded with meaningful starting assignments in the 2018 NBA Finals, but he was a joy to be around throughout: working extra after practices, engaging fans and teammates with his Parking Lot Chronicles videos after home games, and—watch out Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma—memorably prank-gifting all the Warriors blankets with a sleeping Draymond Green’s open-mouthed face on them.”

After winning two championships, McGee looks to shed his past image for good. If he can help this Lakers team succeed, no one in the league will be able to look down upon him again.