JaVale McGee is trying to make the most of his opportunity with the Dallas Mavericks.

“I’m a lot smarter and I’m a lot more patient in my game,” he said. “In college, I was 38 percent from the 3 [point line], and when I came to summer league with the Wizards, I shot a three and made it. The next game, [coaches said], ‘Don’t shoot no threes. Just rebound and block shots.’

“I’m like, ‘Damn, y’all just limited what I have been doing my whole life.’ ”

McGee does not look back fondly on his years with the Washington Wizards.

“It was a real negative situation for me,” he said. “I’ve always been blessed to be able to go somewhere else positive. You definitely learn it’s a business. Even if it’s people ahead of you that’s playing that’s not better, they make more money than you, they’re going to play. It’s not anything personal.”