Juan Toscano-Anderson Got JaVale McGee to Sign a Photo... of His Poster on McGee

While there’s plenty of drama around the league from time to time, it’s often said that the NBA is similar to a fraternity. At the end of the day, every guy is playing at that level and can compete because they respect the work ethic of others, and as a result, these guys end up bonding in any number of ways. For some, it’s hard-headed competition, others a sibling rivalry, and even more just out there having fun.

It looks like Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson has ingratiated himself into that level of fun as well. Back in their 2nd matchup against the Phoenix Suns, JTA caught a pass from Draymond Green in the post and thundered his way down the lane, going up for a one-hand jam on Suns big man and former Warrior JaVale McGee.

And, as healthy competitors do, JTA asked McGee to sign the poster… of him dunking on McGee. JaVale, being the good-natured guy that he is, obliged.

It was a cool moment between a new-school guy who scrapped his way to the NBA level with dedication and hard work, and a veteran who was formerly known for his Shaqtin-a-Fool blunders more than anything else for awhile. McGee managed a solid turnaround, ironically enough in Golden State, and has since become a journeyman center with a couple championship rings to his name.

JaVale’s primary value in the paint has been his athleticism on both ends of the floor. JTA, not a highly-touted recruit who was a lotto draft pick but instead of an undrafted guy who made his way onto the roster from the G-League squad in Santa Cruz, got to show off his own athleticism when he dropped that hammer on McGee.

Toscano-Anderson’s actually done this to other big men a few times now, catching Andre Drummond on a drive earlier this season and having his fair-share of putback dunks which light up the arena. He’s a very effective energy guy who just plays with electricity and, although he doesn’t always do something flashy, he does the little things that make him into a winning player. He’s also just a great personality guy, as is on display with his playful banter with McGee, and has really given the Warriors a lot of value out of his minimum-level contract in terms of morale.

While the dunks are all well and good, his attitude and the way he brings it are really the most effective bits of JTA’s role on the Warriors. But of course, a few highlights and a friendly poster-signing request never hurt anyone.

(Photo credit: NBC Sports Bay Area)