Kid Dynamite

Closer inspection revealed that the goal was still being lowered from the ceiling, meaning McGee gingerly dunked the ball on a roughly 12-foot rim.

"Has your vertical leap ever been measured?" he was asked afterward.

"I think about 36 inches," he said. (David Thompson, one of the game's legendary skywalkers, also had a 36-inch vertical jump).

"What's the tallest basket you've ever dunked on?"

"I think about 12-6."

Twelve feet, six inches! That's 2 1/2 feet taller than the 10-foot regulation height.

It's doubtful Jordan will start McGee anytime in the near future because of something he calls "veteran reliability." Even if a player such as Etan Thomas can give him five or six solid minutes to start the game, the Wizards' coach is okay with keeping McGee coming off the pine.

But here's why he needs to start: This whole three-headed monster idea to compensate for the loss of injured Brendan Haywood is flawed in one serious way -- no other player than McGee is a natural pivot.

Andray Blatche receives too much blame for what ails the Wizards, especially given that he has to play a different role with Haywood out. But the fact is he wants to be Chris Webber and he's not even John Salley at this point. If he had one of those pogo-stick games, where all he did was use his energy to tip in misses underneath the basket, block shots and take the occasional 10-footer, fine. That's a player the Wizards could use.

Another small forward trapped in a 6-11, 250-pound frame? Not so much.

Thomas is big and strong and determined to make a difference. But his natural position is power forward and he just does not have the wingspan of a Cessna like McGee.

The only other genuine center in the building agreed.