May 8, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee (right) is interviewed by TNT broadcaster Craig Sager after game five of the 2012 Western Conference quarterfinals against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. The Nuggets defeated the Lakers 102-99. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

How does a person go from the laughing stock of the NBA to a superstar overnight?

That’s a question for JaVale McGee, who is enjoying a breakout playoff series. In Game 3, McGee scored 16 points and 15 rebounds and he followed that up with a 21 and 14 in Game 5.

And just like that, he has transformed from this to that.

McGee had the talent and the skills to make the transition, but the change of scenery and roles, to go with a freestyle offense have helped the 24-year-old break free.

The Washington Wizards were arguably the most dysfunctional team in the NBA over the past few years and McGee was part of the problem.

He’d put the Wizards on SportsCenter on a nightly basis due to his silly antics. He had the talent, but there was hardly any leadership on Washington’s young squad to make McGee responsible for his miscues. Star point guard John Wall was in just his second year and Andray Blatche was not the ideal veteran for the Wizards.

McGee found himself a regular in Flip Saunder and Randy Wittman’s doghouse, and it was apparent he was losing focus and motivation in Washington. But he never lost his length, talent or athletic ability.

When he was traded to the Denver Nuggets, it was an entirely different culture. McGee joined a young and competitive group that had a winning tradition. He is also working with a coaching staff that spends an ample amount of time helping young players develop and a training staff that spends even more time working to keep the big men in shape.

However, one of the things that has been overlooked during McGee’s transformation has been the change of roles.

With the Wizards, McGee was one of the squad’s most talented players. He was also a focal part of Washington’s offense, with the offense at times being run through the underdeveloped center.

All that changed when the former Nevada star came to Denver. McGee is still one of the team’s most talented players, but he has become a wild-card for the Nuggets’ fast-paced offense. The pace fits McGee, who is one of the quickest big man in the NBA and also one of the most athletic. It also allows him to score in transition instead of the half-court, which isn’t his forte – just yet.

But probably the biggest change was George Karl moving the young and talented center to Denver’s bench brigade, where McGee has been nearly unstoppable in the newer compacted role.

In five starts for the Nuggets, McGee shot .486 from the field, averaged 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and two turnovers.

In the 15 games off the bench, McGee shot .649 from the field, 11.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and .6 turnovers.

The role change has allowed McGee to play freely and within the pace of the game. One issue McGee had as starter was foul-trouble. In three of his five starts, he ended the first quarter in foul trouble which affected how he played the rest of the game.

Not to mention coming off the bench, teams McGee up with Al Harrington and Andre Miller. Harrington’s range creates space for McGee around the basket and Miller is one of the best lob passers in the NBA and has been a big part of McGee’s highlight reels.

Of course his recent play in the playoffs is coming at the worst time for the Nuggets’ pocketbook. McGee will be a restricted free agent in the off-season and he is in position to make a contract starting at $10 million a year. There were even reports during his time in Washington that he wanted a contract that would pay him $14 million a year. No doubt keeping McGee will be Denver’s biggest priority this offseason, but the price may make it tough. However, for right now its time for Nuggets to enjoy this playoff run and let Masai Ujiri worry about McGee’s price tag.

Take it for what it is worth, Jon Rothstein, who covers college hoops, is reporting that the New Jersey Nets are the favorites to land Anthony. While New Jersey doesn’t want to include their young star Brook Lopez, they would be willing to package Devin Harris, Derrick Favors and multiple picks to land Anthony. He also reports that the Nuggets would trade Chauncey Billups and keep Harris.

Also the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers were mentioned, with the Warriors packaging Andris Biedrins and Stephen Curry (there are still uncertainties about dealing Curry) together to land Melo. The Bulls would be their duo of Taj Gibson, Luol Deng and picks and the Clippers would be Chris Kaman and Eric Gordon.

Couple of flaws in the report though, he mentioned that the Nuggets would deal Billups and keep Harris. The problem  is that the Nuggets have a star in the making, Ty Lawson, playing behind Billups and Harris would eat at his minutes over the next few years. And the Nuggets would lose some faithful fans if they dealt Billups due to his ties with Colorado. Secondly, he doesn’t mention Minnesota’s pick in the Clippers deal and that is main trade chip the Nuggets want from the Clippers.

Also reports out of Sacramento and Washington has them interested in Anthony’s services. Omri Casspi, DeMarcus Cousins and Jason Thompson could peak the Nuggets attention and JaVale McGee, Andray Blatche, Kirk Hinrich and Nick Young could also interest the Nuggets – but neither team can offer the Nuggets as much as the Clippers or the Nets.