The Truth Behind His NBA Career... | Javale McGee | DSH #1938

Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: Digital Social Hour
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: JaVale McGee
Episode Title: The Truth Behind His NBA Career... | JaVale McGee | DSH #1938
Date: April 28, 2026

In this candid episode, NBA veteran JaVale McGee joins Sean Kelly for a revealing conversation about his basketball journey, career highlights, evolving roles in the NBA, thoughts on analytics and the international game, his music and philanthropy interests, and what’s next in his life. The discussion blends humor, honest reflection, and unique insider stories, offering listeners a multifaceted look at McGee beyond the court.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NBA as a Job & Team Dynamics

• McGee compares the routine and specificity of NBA roles to corporate jobs, noting how each player is “in HR, not the CEO.”
  • “You got to think about the basketball as your job when you were pro. So it’s like you’re in HR. You’re not over here doing a CEO job.” (00:00)
• Emphasizes the impact of analytics on gameplay, especially the modern preference for three-pointers over traditional high-percentage shots.
  • “Analytics is a whole different animal... Analytics, they'll tell you they'd rather have threes than layups. Easy layup. We'd rather have hard threes than easy layups.” (00:08, 06:40)

2. Olympic Experience & International Growth

• The thrill of competing among the world’s best but also the logistical and personal disappointment of the COVID-affected Olympics:
  • “It was amazing, man. Amazing scene. Greatest in the world play against the greatest in the world. Now we know USA’s still the best.” (01:23)
  • “The only reason it was the lowest is because...I barely played to tell that, to be honest. But at the same time, it was...right after Covid and we were in Japan, so we didn't even get to like explore the city or anything.” (07:57)
• Discussion on the explosion of international talent:
  • “Other countries are having multiple NBA stars, which is making it hard for us, for sure.” (01:53)

3. Career Reflection & Championship Preferences

• McGee is frank about which championship meant the most:
  • “For me, just because I had a bigger role... 2020, Lakers.” (02:21)
• On teammate Dwight Howard's absence from NBA’s Top 75 list:
  • “Who's voting for it? Even past players, it’s like somebody might not like them...You just count stats and what you’ve done for a team, I have him up there.” (02:50)

4. Transition, Music, and Unfinished Business

• Talks about his passion for music production and Grammy nomination:
  • “I got nominated for Grammy producing a song.” (03:11)
  • “I actually am [a producer]. It’s not like necessarily switch over, but I definitely could focus more on it.” (03:25)
• Stays open about basketball’s uncertainty:
  • “You never know when your time’s up... But never going there with a negative mindset.” (03:57)

5. Player Trades & Job Security

• On NBA trades and their unpredictability:
  • “Sometimes you don’t [get a heads up]. Sometimes you’ll be in the middle of the game and they chip your ass off.” (04:06)
  • “I've been traded before a game, like getting ready for a game, wake up from my nap and like, oh yeah, you don't play for this team anymore.” (04:14)

6. Family, Lineage, and WNBA’s Rise

• Aspires for his daughters to consider basketball, noting family tradition and the growing WNBA:
  • “I want to. Just because they're going to be tall and their father obviously played basketball... It's kind of in our lineage.” (04:29)
  • “It's [the WNBA] gonna get there for sure.” (04:48)

7. Kaylin Clark vs. Angel Reese – Media Debate

• On current WNBA stars:
  • “I just feel like they're two different players...they both are bringing high quality basketball to the league and exposure. They both should be...helping the WNBA at a high level.” (04:53)

8. Personal Roles, Center Evolution, & NBA Changes

• Candid about being “forced” to play center due to height, and wishing for a more ball-handling or versatile position:
  • “I've always been taller than everybody, so they, like, forced me to go to center. I never wanted to play center.” (05:17)
  • “Jokic is kind of changing the dynamic of centers... bringing the ball up and having the ball a lot.” (05:50)
• On today’s need for ‘stretch’ centers and practice realities:
  • “You need a jump shot or you just need a way to get a bucket for real, so. And at the same time, that needs to be a role also.” (06:00)
  • “Some people who have two threes and everything, but they won't even attempt it in a game because it's not. They roll. Yeah.” (06:14)

9. Physicality and Scoring in the Modern NBA

• Notes the NBA is less physical and higher-scoring now:
  • “Physicality is lighter. Less physicality.” (07:15)
  • “You get fouls a lot...10 years ago, I could have punched him and they wouldn’t have called it.” (07:23)

10. Charity: Jug Life Foundation

• Discusses his philanthropic work:
  • “It's my foundation. We do water wells in Uganda and we go around in the US and teach kids about... drinking water and living an active and healthy lifestyle.” (08:17)
  • “We just had connections [in Uganda] and they needed water wells, so went there into the trenches.” (08:40)

11. What's Next: Media, Shows, and Open Doors

• Mentions upcoming projects:
  • “I got a show coming out... It's basically like a podcast SL show. You'll see it soon. Maybe I'll get you on the guest.” (08:54)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On trades:
  • “Sometimes you'll be in the middle of the game and they chip your ass off.” – JaVale (04:06)
• On analytics vs. basketball basics:
  • “Analytics, they'll tell you they'd rather have threes than layups... It's a crazy concept now. It's definitely shifted from back in the day.” – JaVale (shown multiple times)
• On family and basketball:
  • “It's kind of in our lineage.” – JaVale (04:38)
• On philanthropy:
  • “We're doing big things when it comes to water and information and just trying to teach kids the right way to live...” – JaVale (08:17)
• On Olympic gold:
  • “It was the lowest [achievement]...I barely played, and we were in Japan, so we didn’t even get to explore the city or anything.” – JaVale (07:57)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Analytics & NBA changes: 00:00 – 00:36, 06:36 – 07:09
• Olympic gold & international competition: 01:23 – 01:43, 07:49 – 08:10
• Championships & personal achievement: 02:15 – 02:31
• Music and multi-passionate career: 03:11 – 03:39
• On trades & basketball business side: 04:03 – 04:20
• WNBA, daughters, and girls in sports: 04:29 – 04:50
• Kaylin Clark vs Angel Reese: 04:53 – 05:15
• Evolution of the center position: 05:15 – 06:18
• Decreased physicality & high scoring today: 07:09 – 07:37
• Jug Life foundation & water wells: 08:10 – 08:40
• Teasing new show: 08:52 – 09:04

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Summary

This episode provides a rare, intimate look inside JaVale McGee’s mind—offering humor, candor, and a window into the transitions and realities of an NBA career. From deep dives on analytics and position evolution, through personal reflections on lost and won opportunities, to passionate forays into music and charity, JaVale showcases himself as more than just an athlete. Listeners are treated to perspectives on family legacy, trade realities, what makes a championship memorable, and what the future might hold—both on and off the hardwood.

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Transcript

[A]

You got to think about the basketball as your job when you were pro. So it's like you're in hr. You're not over here doing a CEO job. You worry about people complaining about people fucking shit to them. And then analytics is a whole different animal. Analytics, they'll tell you they rather had threes than layups. Easy layup. We'd rather have hard threes than easy layups. They're like. I guess they're thinking, okay, if you shoot two threes and you make two, you get six points. If you shoot two layups and you make two, you only get four points. They're just like, okay, well, we'd rather take the eyes of that. Yeah. So it's a crazy concept now. Yeah, Definitely shifted from back in the day.

[B]

All right, guys, your family mcgee here. What happened, man?

[A]

Ray J got my ass, man.

[B]

Damn.

[A]

I had ace, king, he had Ace 2. Then Ace 2 came out. Obviously I didn't know what he had yet. Oh, I got ace, king, he went all in. But two hands before that, he went all in, all in. I'm like, no way.

[B]

Yeah. You didn't think he got it? Damn, man. He'll make a deep run then. Princess is looking good right now, too.

[A]

She's killing.

[B]

They might have to meet up.

[A]

Yeah, dude, she's right. That one also, huh?

[B]

Yeah, she's nice. You play a lot of poker?

[A]

I play a little. You know, I dabble.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You playing a lot of hoops lately?

[A]

Absolutely. The only thing I really.

[B]

You don't take time off though? Not really. So it's like year round?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

What do you think of the Olympic run recently?

[A]

It was amazing, man. Amazing scene. Greatest in the world play against the greatest in the world.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Now we know USA's still the best.

[B]

They're still the best.

[A]

Pretty cool.

[B]

What's that track owner's name? Got his name. Noah Lyles.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, he won a gold too, though, so. Absolutely. I think both sides kind of elevated each other.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

Yeah. You think the rest of the world's catching up?

[A]

I don't know about catching up, but the rest of the world. Other countries are having multiple NBA stars. Well, in basketball at least.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Other countries are having multiple NBA stars, which is making it hard for us, for sure.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Even the last MVPs in the league, right?

[A]

Yeah, absolutely.

[B]

Yeah. Well, what's next for you, man?

[A]

No, I kind of want to come back, man. I don't like the way I just left, man. First table, I guess. That's embarrassing, man. God, man, can't be that just happened.

[B]

Well, they got another game in November,

[A]

so hit me up.

[B]

All right, man. Which NBA title was the most satisfying for you? 1718 or 2020?

[A]

For me, just because I had a bigger role. I had a smaller role in 17.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah. 2020. Lakers. Yeah.

[B]

Because you and Dwight were like the main centers for the Lakers, right?

[A]

Yep.

[B]

What was it like playing with him?

[A]

Amazing, man. Good dude, man. Great energy. Always coming in with great energy. One of the strongest people in the world. I don't think people really understand

[B]

he's been left off the top 75. What did you think?

[A]

Who's voting for it? You gotta look for it. Yeah.

[B]

Well, isn't it players and last past players voting?

[A]

I mean even that fast player, it's like somebody might not dislike them or something. You know what I'm saying? It might be turned into personal. You just count stats and what you've done for a team. Yeah, I have them up there now

[B]

you got three chips. A lot of accolades. Is there anything you haven't accomplished yet?

[A]

I got nominated for a Grammy, but I don't have one. Oh. I mean, not a Grammy. Yeah. Yeah. I got nominated for Grammy producing the song.

[B]

You want to switch over to music when you're done playing?

[A]

I actually am. I'm a producer. Music producer.

[B]

Oh, nice.

[A]

It's not like necessarily switch over, but I definitely could focus more on it. I do not just because obviously basketball takes up most of my time. Yeah.

[B]

Do you have kind of a plan for the next five years for basketball?

[A]

I mean, to play it, that's the. The goal. Yeah. The next five years. But if I don't, then I'll definitely go into.

[B]

Do you take it year by year though?

[A]

Yeah, yeah, it goes year by year for sure.

[B]

Yeah. I feel like these days there's so many teams here.

[A]

Absolutely. You never know.

[B]

You never know when your time's up.

[A]

But never, never going there with a negative mindset. Right.

[B]

Do you get a heads up when they're planning on trading you or sometimes.

[A]

Sometimes you don't. Sometimes you'll be in the middle of the game and they chip your ass off. Yeah.

[B]

Does that happen to you?

[A]

Not me, no. I've seen it happen to other people though.

[B]

Holy crap.

[A]

But I've been. I've been traded before a game, like getting ready for a game, wake up from my nap and like, oh yeah, you don't play for this team anymore. Yeah.

[B]

I feel that it's a crazy concept. I don't know if you have kids, but two you got two. Do you want them to pursue this. This path of athletics?

[A]

I want to. Just because they're going to be tall and their father obviously played basketball and their mother. My mother. I mean, my grandmother. My mother played basketball also. It's kind of in our lineage.

[B]

Yeah. WNBA is hot right now, too.

[A]

It is. They're gonna make a lot of money by the time my daughters are 18.

[B]

I think so, too. They're not profitable yet, but it's looking right.

[A]

It's gonna get there for sure. Sure.

[B]

Where do you stand on this Kaylin Clark versus Angel Reese debate?

[A]

I just feel like they're two different players. They post player in the guard. I feel like they both are bringing high quality basketball to the league and exposure to the league and fans to the league. So I feel like they both should be. Have. Have equal exposure and equal. I guess they should be. We should say both of them are helping the WNBA at a high level.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Absolutely. You always play the center?

[A]

For the most part. I've always been taller than everybody, so they, like, forced me to go to center.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I never wanted to play center. Really? What do you want to play, like, shoot small for? I never actually.

[B]

How come?

[A]

Just because it's boring, to tell the truth. Like, you never have the ball in your hand. You have to. You have to worry about other people giving you the ball. Like, you don't really make this decisions unless you. Obviously you're Shaq or something or one of those yoke. Unless it's about you. You know what I'm saying? On that team. But no. Yeah.

[B]

I feel that Jokic is kind of changing the.

[A]

He's definitely changing the dynamic of centers bringing the ball up and having the ball a lot. Yeah. Yeah. It's not a lot of play.

[B]

Plus, I feel like you need a jump shot these days if you're a center.

[A]

Yeah. You need a jump shot or you just need a way to get a bucket for real, so. And at the same time, that needs to be a role also.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Team has to say, okay, we want you to do this. It's not necessarily. If you have it or not. Some people who have two threes and everything, but they won't even attempt it in a game because it's not. They roll. Yeah.

[B]

You see that in practice with certain players, right?

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

It'll be lights out, and then it's like.

[A]

It's like a job, though. You got to think about it. Basketball is your job. Time when you approach. So it's like if you're in hr you're not over here doing a CEO job. You know what I'm saying? You worry about people complaining about people talking too much. Right.

[B]

Because they're worried about their stats. Right. Because you got analysts on the team studying your numbers.

[A]

And then analytics is a whole different animal. Right? Analytics. They'll tell you they'd rather have threes than layups. Easy, late. We'd rather have hard threes and easy layups.

[B]

Really? A hard three over an easy layout.

[A]

Rather they're like. I guess they're. They're thinking, okay, you. If you shoot two threes and you make two, you get six points. If you shoot two layups and you make two, you only get four points. They're just like, okay, well, we'd rather take six points. Odds of that, right? Yeah. So it's a crazy concept now. It's definitely shifted from back in the day.

[B]

The games are a lot higher scoring now from when you first entered the league. Right.

[A]

By far.

[B]

Have you noticed the physicality change?

[A]

Lighter physicality is lighter. Less physicality. Yeah.

[B]

Do you like that or no?

[A]

Not in my position though.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Because then you get files a lot.

[B]

You'd be falling out.

[A]

Yeah. It make you fall out for sure. Yeah. And people can just flop their head and he's like, oh, barely touched him. You gave it 10 years ago. I could, I could have punched him and they wouldn't have called it.

[B]

Right. So now you saw that in the Lakers nuggets in. In the bubble with Jokic, he would keep falling out. Dwight Howard did a great job of that, man. Well, you won an Olympic gold medal in 2020.

[A]

I did, I did.

[B]

Was that a really fulfilling experience? Where does that rank compared to the chips for you?

[A]

The lowest.

[B]

Oh, the lowest.

[A]

The only reason it was the lowest is because not even aspect. I barely played to tell that, to be honest. But at the same time, it was in 2021, right after Covid and we were in Japan, so we didn't even get to like explore the city or anything.

[B]

Oh, damn. Stuck in a hotel, you can't even celebrate. Wow. You got a brand called Jug Life. What's that about?

[A]

It's my foundation. We do a water wells in Uganda and we go around in the US and teach kids about the. The importance of drinking water and living an active and healthy lifestyle. So we're doing big things when it comes to the water and information and just trying to teach kids the right way to live and put the sodas down and be healthy.

[B]

Nice. Why'd you pick Uganda specifically?

[A]

We just had connections out there and they needed water wells, so went there until down into the trenches, but boom.

[B]

Well, man, what's next for you?

[A]

Oh, man, you know, everything, man.

[B]

Just.

[A]

Just grinding, man. I got a show coming out that I'm putting out. It's basically like a podcast SL show. You'll see it soon. Maybe I'll get you on the guest.

[B]

Thanks, man. All right, thanks for watch, guys. Peace. Thanks for watching to the end, guys. Please comment below your thoughts on the episode if you agree. If you disagree, I'd love to hear. I read every single comment. It means a lot to me. Thank you so much.