JaVale McGee has totaled a combined 37 points and 29 rebounds in Games 3 and 4 of the Nuggets’ Western Conference Quarterfinal series against the Lakers.

"I don't think I've ever coached a guy like this," said Nuggets coach George Karl, who got his first NBA head coaching job in 1984. "He has the kind of moves of a 6-6 player. The guy he kind of reminds me of a little bit is (1970s star) Connie Hawkins. There's this long, unfolding one-handed stuff. He's got a long way to go to become Connie Hawkins."

McGee, who finished runner-up to Blake Griffin in the 2011 slam dunk contest, has a 7-foot-6 wingspan.

"There are not a lot of people like him in the world," Nuggets assistant coach Melvin Hunt said. "I mean, seriously. You can throw it up there, and he's so long, he can get to it. He's had six-block games, and also, just the number of shots that he alters, he's just a different kind of player. And when you have a guy who's unique, you got to give him opportunities."