Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr Happy For JaVale McGee’s Success With Lakers, Will Present Him With 2017-18 Championship Ring At Later Date
Lakers News

Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr Happy For JaVale McGee’s Success With Lakers, Will Present Him With 2017-18 Championship Ring At Later Date

Corey Hansford
Published: 12/27/2018
3 Min Read
JaVale McGee, Lakers
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

One of the more impressive factors during the Los Angeles Lakers blowout win over the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day was that they did so without starting center JaVale McGee.

The big man has yet to return after being hospitalized with pneumonia and a respiratory infection. Of course before signing with the Lakers this summer, McGee spent the previous two seasons with the Warriors.

Head coach Steve Kerr employed McGee as part of a center platoon and though he played a big role in some important contests, averaged just 9.5 minutes in those two years. That has changed with the Lakers as McGee has thrived in this starting role, averaging career-highs in points and blocks while playing 23.5 minutes per night.

Among those happy for McGee is his former coach Kerr, as he told Tania Ganguli of the L.A. Times, and noted when the former Warriors center will receive his championship ring:

“I’m happy for JaVale,” Kerr said. “He’s getting more of a chance to play with the Lakers than he did with us. We had a lot of centers play a really important role for us the last couple of years. He was fantastic and we loved having him here. Wish he was here and that we could give him his ring today, but we’ll do it next time.”

The Warriors were set to present McGee with his ring in a ceremony before Tuesday’s game, but that will now take place on Feb. 2 when the Lakers make another visit to Oakland.

McGee should be able to return to the Lakers soon and coincidentally, could now find himself in a bit of a platoon after Ivica Zubac has thrived in a starting role the last three games. Regardless of how things are handled when he comes back, McGee has already proven that he can handle a much bigger role than many thought, much to the delight of his former coach.

Reminder: Vivid Seats is the Official Ticket Reseller of LakersNation.com. New Customers use “LAKERSNATION” (all CAPS) in the Vivid Seats App on your phone and get 10% off any Lakers home game ticket order for the remainder of the season.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:JaVale McGeeLos Angeles LakersSteve Kerr
ByCorey Hansford
Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?