Kerr: McGee earning 'extra playing time' with strong performances

The Golden State Warriors' search for some viable center minutes is leading them towards journeyman JaVale McGee.

Following a strong 15-minute cameo against the Denver Nuggets, head coach Steve Kerr was quick to lavish praise on McGee.

"He earned some extra playing time for sure," Kerr said of McGee according to Monte Poole of CSN Bay Area. "We’re still going through different combinations, but he earned the opportunity to play some more."

McGee has mostly been relegated to garbage time duty, but he came alive on Friday as an athletic rim runner en route to 10 points against an otherwise sturdy Nuggets frontcourt.

It was nothing too complicated - McGee challenged shots and served as a huge target on pick-and-rolls - but that's a lot more than what veteran options Zaza Pachulia and David West have been able to provide.

Pachulia has struggled to finish around the basket and can't rebound effectively, while West has been stapled to the ground on account of his advanced age. That leaves the imperfect McGee as Golden State's best option in the middle.

Kerr, however, doesn't want to tip his hand. He foresees all three of his centers to remain in the rotation.

"All three guys have played very well," Kerr said. "It’s not an easy role when you’re not playing as many minutes, so I’ve tried to give David and Zaza the majority of the minutes right now just to get them comfortable.

"But it’s fairly obvious that all three will play big roles for us this year."