OAKLAND – For maybe the first time in his checkered career, JaVale McGee is being appreciated for a characteristic that, for some, has defined his reputation.
Class clown.
The Warriors have embraced McGee’s off-the-court comedy act, and the 7-foot backup center believes he knows why.
“I definitely am able to be myself here because we’re winning,” McGee said Monday after shootaround.
“On other teams when you’re a goofy person, they’re like, ‘Oh, he’s a knucklehead,’ because he’s having fun. I’ve never had a DUI. I’ve never failed a drug test. But I’m a knucklehead?
“It doesn’t make sense. I’m just a hyper, goofy person. But I work hard.”
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McGee, 28, spent his first eight seasons with four different teams under mostly mediocre circumstances. Since signing with the Warriors as a free agent shortly before training camp, he has come to realize this is quite the different environment. And his personality is flourishing.
He plays pranks on teammates and exchanges Snapchat barbs with Draymond Green. Guard Ian Clark says McGee is the funniest player on the team, perhaps because the big man is willing to take risks, such as commandeering the PA system on team flights to make announcements.
Though known by many through his frequent appearances on “Shaqtin’ A Fool,” which features a video reel of embarrassing moments on the court, McGee has been as serious on the court as he is humorous off it.
He has become a fan favorite at Oracle Arena because of his energy and his ability to play above the rim, blocking shots on defense and dunking lobs on offense.
“It’s crazy. It’s amazing,” McGee said. “I love the fans, and I just feel like they sense how hard I work out there. So they appreciate it.”
Though his numbers, aside from 65.6-percent shooting from the field, aren’t spectacular, McGee delivers spectacular moments. And he’s now getting consistent minutes off the bench for a team on an 11-game win streak.
“When you’re winning you can be who are,” he said. “You can do whatever you want to do; it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re winning. When you’re losing, everything is in the spotlight.”
Guess it’s true that the key to good comedy is timing.
