JaVale McGee showed up in a Shaq hat and came through like Big Diesel when the game started.
The Golden State Warriors’ backup center had an outsize presence in the first quarter of Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals. He had four points, five rebounds and the best plus-minus of the quarter, as the Warriors were up eight with him on the court and took a 35-30 lead into the second frame of the first game of the rematch.
JaVale did everything.
He dunked.
He got dunked on.
He blocked.
He rebounded.
And he impressed everyone.
Even when he didn’t.
We now know who will be the Finals Most JaValuable Player.