KEY POINTS

  • The Suns were lauded for signing Javale McGee during the offseason
  • Their need for a big man was exposed during the NBA Finals last season
  • Ayton, Paul and Williams share their sentiments about having McGee on the team

The addition of Javale McGee was seen by many as the Phoenix Suns’ best move during the offseason, and the team is already feeling the effects.

The 33-year-old backup center has been a consummate professional that knows his role in whichever team he went to, and the Suns are more than happy to have him.

“He’s (McGee) been around. He’s a good dude. And I’ve told him that,” said head coach Monty Williams, as quoted by Arizona Sports.

“I think the first couple of days around me he was trying to do what he thought would allow for him to fit in with me and I had to tell him like, ‘Hey man, we don’t do that. Be yourself around here.’ It’s just about respect.”

All-Star point guard Chris Paul also talked about the value of having an established player like McGee.

“He knows what it means to come off the bench but more than anything, he knows what it (winning a title) feels like,” Paul said.

“He knows what real teamwork and all that stuff feel like.”

McGee was brought to Phoenix to provide interior defense while also pushing the Suns to work harder during practices.

Perpetually light-hearted center Deandre Ayton shared his delight in having a veteran center with the caliber of McGee

“Oh man, love that dude already,” Ayton stated.

“Today I think he sent a few things off the backboard and I ain’t seen that in a while, since college where another dude my size is and he’s [even] taller than me.”

Last season, McGee faced the Suns as part of the Denver Nuggets in what turned out to be a surprising sweep in favor of Phoenix

However, their lack of a reliable defender in the paint was heavily exploited by Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks during the NBA Finals, coming back from a 0-2 deficit to win the title in six games.

Having a player like McGee gives the Suns more flexibility in the frontcourt, allowing them to field more defensively ready lineups.

McGee’s value as a shot-blocking presence in the paint will play a major role when they go up against teams that enjoy attacking the paint, like the Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.

Suns fans have been raving about the signing of McGee, and it brought new hope that their beloved franchise will finally experience winning a title.

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