Nuggets' McGee could be out for the season

JaVale McGee could miss the rest of the NBA season for the Denver Nuggets as he recovers from a stress fracture in his left leg.

Yahoo! Sports reports the 26-year-old center is now seeking further medical consultation for the injury that has sidelined him since early in the season but has yet to properly heal. The website adds a final decision on his status is expected within the next several days. In all, McGee has played in just five games this season.

If the Nuggets rule McGee out for the rest of the season, he would be the team's third player to be ruled out for the year based on injury. Guard Nate Robinson and forward Danilo Gallinari both recently had season-ending surgeries to repair torn ACL ligaments. This would be another blow to the Nuggets if McGee can't comeback this season.

McGee had averaged 9.1 points and nearly five rebounds a game for Denver in the 2012-13 season. The Nuggets have filled McGee's void in the lineup with J.J Hickson, Timofey Mozgov and Anthony Randolph.

The Nuggets can't afford anymore injuries and need to acquire depth at the trade deadline if they are to make a move for the playoffs.

Nuggets' JaVale McGee out with a stress fracture

Denver Nuggets starting center JaVale McGee is out indefinitely with a stress fracture in his lower left leg.

Team spokesman Tim Gelt said X-rays revealed the stress fracture in McGee's left tibia on Sunday.

McGee has been chronically bothered by soreness in the tibia, the inner and typically larger of the two bones between the knee and the ankle.

Timofey Mozgov figures to get his first start of the season in McGee's place when the Nuggets play at Utah on Monday night. J.J. Hickson also could see his minutes increased in McGee's absence.

The Nuggets are off to a 1-4 start under new coach Brian Shaw, who replaced George Karl last summer.

Andre Iguodala says JaVale McGee is actually smart

When you think of the Denver Nuggets' JaVale McGee the first thing that comes to mind is one of the many boneheaded plays he's made in his short NBA career. Granted most of those were with the Washington Wizards so I can give him half a pass on that.

McGee has never been known to be the sharpest tool in the shed but his teammate Andre Iguodala tells a different story. During an interview with GQ magazine Iguodala revealed a much brighter side to McGee.

JaVale McGee is one of the smartest guys I know. Like, he's a nerd, plays with gadgets and is into technology. He's funny--he's got crazy jokes and his timing with jokes is really funny. You have to be really smart to think the way he does. He's a thinker, so his mind goes into a lot of different places, and I think that can be taken the wrong way when he's on the court--he can be an over-thinker at times.

Personally, I understand McGee a little more than I used to. If you ask me it just seems like he may outsmart himself every once in a while. The problem is that those moments are a bit too frequent which is why George Karl keeps him on the bench instead of giving him a starting role. McGee is talented and if he can ever cut down on his mistakes and not float, he can be a very good player.

Despite Iguodala's claims the Nuggets are still waiting for McGee to get with the program.

JaVale McGee was shocked by the trade to the Nuggets

The way Denver Nuggets big man, JaVale McGee tells it, it almost sounds like he would've rather stayed in Washington than being traded to Denver. McGee was totally unaware that he was on the trading block and was caught off guard by the deal. Players are usually informed by friends, agents, family, or entourage about whether they're being traded or not.

McGee says he was shocked and was caught napping literally when he was hit with news of the trade.

“I was sleeping, taking my pregame nap,” McGee told HOOPSWORLD. “When I woke up, I found out that I had been traded. I had a bunch of text messages from different people and I talked to the team. I was shocked. I just asked, ‘When do I leave?’”


Even though there was some shock and awe from the news of the trade, McGee is happy that he was traded to a playoff contender and hopes that he can be with the Nuggets for awhile.

“This is a great organization,” McGee said. “There are a lot of hard working people here and this organization gives their players everything they need.” 


The Nuggets better hope that McGee has less spaceman moments and taps into his wealth of physical talent. If he can do that the Nuggets will be an exciting team to watch. If not, McGee can at least collect some big checks since he does have talent, athleticism, and stands 6-11.