Cautious Infant Optimism
by Steve Weinman on Jan 23, 2009 1:00 PM EST
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Hats off to the Infuriated Infant. Glen Davis was fantastic on Thursday night in Orlando. Knocked down his jump shots, used the hook nicely inside, hit all four of his freebies en route to a season-high 16 points (he went 6-of-8 from the field) and did a fine job on Dwight Howard at the defensive end. Big Baby was the story in the Celts' 90-80 win over the Magic. I can hardly imagine being happier with his performance.
But while the Pugnacious Papoose's big game is a cause for optimism, it seems only fair for the jury to remain out on whether it will serve as a turning point.
As someone who has found himself frustrated with Baby's play this year and leaned toward the detractor side as a result, I'm happy to cop to being pleasantly surprised last night.
I've been annoyed with the Nasty Newborn several times throughout the season. His defense has been good in many situations (especially against big post players that he bodies up) and awful in others (waddling around after Al Harrington during the humiliating loss at MSG comes to mind). That has been the better end of the floor.
The offense has been a mess for a good portion of the season. That he works on his jump-shooting before every game is a good move. That more than 60 percent of his field-goal attempts have been jumpers despite the fact that he is posting an effective field goal percentage below 30 on those jumpers isn't so good. He hasn't looked to go inside enough thus far this season, but when he has, it has ended badly on a couple of occasions with disastrous showings around the basket. Being an undersized big man and posting a 37.3 field goal percentage and a 44.7 percent true shooting mark is a major problem. Watching the Celts late in a game in which Davis hasn't yet been called for an illegal screen brings to mind the old adage about waiting for the other shoe to drop.
All that in mind, it has been easy for me to scapegoat the Infant at times this season. It remains my contention that on a good deal of those occasions, he deserved plenty of blame.
But I also understand that in addition to being a likable guy who is beloved by fans and teammates alike, the Terrifying Toddler also has plenty to offer on the court. As mentioned above, he isn't a world-class defender, but he is a good one much of the time. He loves matching up with big centers in the low post and using his bulk to drive them out. He crashes the offensive glass hard. Though we don't see it all that often, he has the ability within him to provide this team some scoring punch, both inside and with his jumper. Baby never stops working when he is on the floor.
We've seen flashes of all those good things. He made Tim Duncan work for every inch when the Spurs came to town last year. He put up 20 points when the Celts topped the Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills last January. There are a few others along the way as well, and last night marked one more occasion. His shots were falling, and he was playing defense and not serving as a liability to this team.
But as far as the future is concerned, I'm not ready to call last night's explosion proof of anything more than what we already knew: Big Baby can be an important contributor, and he can hit his shots. But the truth is that his overall body of work, especially the part that has taken place this season, has yet to indicate him a reliable performer off the bench. He has played well of late and looks more comfortable shooting the basketball and rotating defensively. But Rajon Rondo has had a couple of games in which he has shot the basketball well from distance also, and his jump-shooting is no less a question mark than it was at season's start.
The issue here is consistency. The Infuriated Infant doesn't need to put up 16 points and slow down Dwight Howard every night out. That was fantastic, and I'll gladly take any game like that as a bonus. But until he makes hitting a decent portion of his jumpers, playing effectively underneath the basket and staying out of foul trouble more routine occurrences, I'll remain unsold. For now, cautious optimism for Glen Big Baby Davis reigns here at the Babble.
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Why so hard on the big fella? His effort is always there and I think it should be accepted he isnt going to play great every night but neither is anyone on our bench…so now its rip on BBD whether he plays good, or bad? how about some Powe bashing for a change?
Love all the different nicknames you have for the “Infuriated Infant” though.. very funny
by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 23, 2009 1:09 PM EST reply actions
Huh?
That was hardly a “rip.” Just an evenhanded, coolheaded placement of last night’s strong showing in the context of his whole career. Good stuff as usual, Steve. (Though I’d go with “Nefarious Newborn” next time.)
How exactly is it not ripping on him? he has a good game, and we still gotta question the kid? and while I find the different names funny, how exactly isnt that ripping him?
by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 23, 2009 1:34 PM EST up reply actions
lighten up francis – it was an analytical piece placing last nights excellent game in the context of the season and career as wholes. and while i dont find the joke nicknames funny, I’m pretty sure Steve is doing it in a lighthearted manner and not a negative one. Steve didn’t give him the Big Baby moniker.
gotta side with PJ on this
Steve’s point seems to be that he was hard on BBD before (statement of fact) and that BBD gave him reason to start changing his mind (he’s being open minded) but he is hesitant to do a 180 on BBD after one good game (probably wise)
I don’t see where the issue is
"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." Michael Scott
I guess I misinterpreted the article, I just felt like i was being told despite BBD playing good, hes a slob and always will be…I dont know I didnt see a “cautious eddie optimism” after he had a big game
by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 23, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
Have to side with Ancient...
For the role Big Baby plays on this team, he is far too scrutinized by everyone. If your expectation of Glenn Davis was that he’d be anything more than our 5th big man, then it makes sense to take out the microscope. The fact is he is what he is. There’s no question Glenn Davis’ shooting percentage is lower than expected. A lot of that has to do with trying to develop the jumper that is going to keep him in the league. That jumper is starting to look more and more like a weapon, by the way. I don’t think Steve is attacking Big Baby here, but everyone else sure seems to be. It reminds me of the microscope treatment Scal was getting as the 10th man on a losing team. Just makes no sense.
what I don’t agree with Steve on is that to me Glenn Davis is absolutely and has always been someone I can rely on. That’s why he plays, even when he’s not shooting well. His defense, effort and IQ are always there, so Doc trusts him. That’s what Glenn Davis brings. Leon Powe brings scoring and Rebounding. They are just two different players, however both effective in their own right. STOP THE BIG BABY HATING!
SCOTT
Thanks, Jeff
for saving me the explanation. What our leader describes above is exactly what I was going for. Sorry that didn’t come through a bit better, but hope that cleared it up, TAR – and anyone who may have interpreted the piece the way you saw it.
Related, thanks as well to PJ and Brendan for clarifying and for the kind words.
-sw
Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.
by Steve Weinman on Jan 24, 2009 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
He's playing the way the C's and Doc want him to
Even after a night when he knocks down his jumpers, we’re still going to criticize that he’s not taking it inside? This has been, and always will be a product of how the D is playing. Orlando, and many others, clog the paint, and dare non Big 3 players to knock down open jumpers. If Baby picked and rolled last night, rather than popping, it would have just been a clogged mess and not an easy pass for Pierce or others to find him. He has not eschewed going inside because of some newly found attachment to shooting jumpers. This is how the C’s are played, and they are asking BBD to see if he can be someone who can make them pay.
What % of PJ’s shots last year were in the paint? Certainly not the ones people remember where he was left open by the same scheme and hit the crucial jumpers. BBD is ball friendly on the perimeter in a way Powe can never be. He can play pick and pop, can put the ball on the floor once or twice to get into the paint, reverses the ball competently, and finds open teammates from the post. He is just doing what he is asked, and at least last night, did it very well.
Davis is a good match up for Howard because Howard is used to being way stronger than everyone he matches u against. Baby is as strong as Howard and it frustrates him. Same with Shaq. If that jump shot keeps falling for Davis here’s going to be very valuable and will get a good sized contract at the end of the season. I hope we can pay him.
It’s not a turning point. It was just a good game.
Enjoy BBD while you can, because he’s almost certainly going elsewhere in June. He’d be a great fit in Miami or Denver, and would likely start for either of those teams.
Brisk has his crystal ball out again. That thing must come in handy when picking stocks ...
… and lottery numbers. But it apparently didn’t work so well when you decided to stop watching the Cs and become a Raptors fan after the Ray Allen trade.
That Pic Always Reminds me of a Seinfeld Episode
Remember the one where George is flirting with a woman who works at a photo shop, and the black gay assistant at the photo shop thinks George is flirting with him, and slips some suggestive photos to him?
100%
That was the one where Kramer was taking his picture and he kept getting him to do more and more revealing photos. That was EXACTLY the first thought when I looked at that photo. I think that was the same episode as Elaine and her “nip” Christmas photos…
Miami?
Don’t see it, is he beating out Beasly or playing C? I think he’d look good playing next to Duncan.
Hey sw, what about offspring? Another word for Baby.
Overwhelming Offspring?
Outstanding Offspring?
Oxymoronic Offspring?
Hmm…Maybe the Dashing Descendent?^^
offspring?
I always like Green Day better
"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." Michael Scott
To IIgaskas and Odom
Hey Man, You Disrespecting Me?
Take Him Out
Good article
This Powe v Baby thing is silly anyway. It’s whatever works.
One thing to add about last night’s game — the guys kept passing him the ball because (a) he was hot, but more importantly, (b) he was OPEN. If Baby’s shots had been contested, he would not have hit as many as he did (obviously). He hasn’t yet shown us that he can reliably hit contested jumpers.
Here’s hoping for many such games… I don’t much care if it’s Baby or Powe or the big knucklehead POB. Whoever’s hot.
that's the whole point
if teams are going to go out and contest his jumper than that’s a win for the celtics. This means less attention can be given to the big 3. It’s when teams are able to play off of “the other 2” that our half-court offense becomes stagnant and jumpshot happy.
Hopefully baby keeps hitting the open jumper so teams go out and contest him, this will create more room for our true playmakers, and he’s is agile enough to upfake and make a play off one-dribble drives.
Absolutely
… and Baby’s a good passer, so if they start guarding him (which will probably not happen for a while, if ever), he should be able to find the open man.
Disagree
I don’t think you can just play BBD for a few games and then Powe for a few games because it forces these guys to do things they shouldn’t trying to keep their minutes. If they are constantly looking over their shoulder that Doc is going to bench them for the other then neither will be more consistent. I do however agree when you have a really big center in there like a Shaq you have to let BBD beef up on him.
it's been a good run for BBD
his level play has steadily been raised over the course of this 7 game run IMO. I’ve found myself commenting on good plays he’s made far more often recently, and very rarely given the “DOH!” response to something he’s done. Overall this season he has been a dissapointment, but it is that time of year where he could really be finding his stride.
his value as a big who can guard large, low-post centers and make them pay on the offensive end with his jumper is huge is big to this celtics team.
Why cautious
about BBD, but not Powe or any other player on the bench? Everyone seems so sure of guys like Walker and Powe, but not BBD. I don’t get it.
agreed
this was my original point above
by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 23, 2009 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
People are sure of Walker?
I think there’s plenty of doubt about all the young guys. Though I do think that Powe’s somewhat disappointing season so far is one of the underreported stories with this team. He has arguably provided less this year than he did last year, which is a little surprising. He seemed to break out during the playoffs, but has not continued that this year, for whatever reason.
Powe didnt “break out” in the playoffs…he had 1 very good game in the finals when luke walton was guarding him, thats it
by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 23, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
Baby's
a solid player. He’s got soft hands and a low center of gravity which really helps him defensively. He’ll have suitors after this year. I just find that photo of him mildly disturbing.
by The Real Large James 2 on Jan 23, 2009 3:58 PM EST reply actions
Perhaps
when he plays against Howard, we can call Baby, Crouching Kryptonite.
by The Real Large James 2 on Jan 23, 2009 3:59 PM EST reply actions
Ahaha I love the nicknames with the aliterations
They always crack me up. Pugnacious Papoose is now my favourite.
mine as well
I was really hoping that one in particular would catch on a bit more, and I pushed real hard early on last year. Just didn’t seem to have national appeal. :-D
Either way, glad to know I’m not the only one amused by my own tomfoolery. Thanks, cordobes.
-sw
Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.
by Steve Weinman on Jan 24, 2009 12:19 AM EST up reply actions
Please..
no more trade BBD from here on out.
"The voice of the intellect is a soft one, but it does not rest until it has gained a hearing"
why?
He has shown that he can fill a role, and he has shown flashes of having the stuff to be a more consistently reliable player. But I don’t think anyone on this bench is untouchable at this point.
-sw
Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.
by Steve Weinman on Jan 24, 2009 12:17 AM EST up reply actions
somewhat off subject
But im sitting here watching Around The Horn on ESPN, and they said “the magic didnt show up” and they “already beat the celtics once this season” ….booo!
by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 23, 2009 5:04 PM EST reply actions
Wow
and tony reali just repeated “they already beat the celtics this season without jameer nelson by the way” and NOONE corrected him…epic fail changes channel
by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 23, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions
Hahaha
That’s great…I love big baby!!!!!!!!! He balled it up last night with that season-high 16 baby!!!! He won me 28 cents at http://www.centsports.com/?opcode=285692 too hahahah!!! LOVE YOU BABY!!!
by Hansborough on Jan 23, 2009 6:23 PM EST reply actions
Basic Economics
High risk can mean high reward. Big baby is a big risk when he is on the floor, but can yield a high reward… but with that said, high risk can also mean a big loss. He is a liability. How many of these great games does BB have in him this season? 4 more? 6 more? Is that really worth a spot on a team that is in dire need of a RELIABLE bench? A CONSISTENT bench? It seems that our bench is made up of too many kernels on any given night: some pop, some don’t. We lack consistency, we lack reliability. Big Baby has the market cornered there.
My rambles: http://nbawithoutcable.wordpress.com
Glen Davies is not going to be the chip thats going to help us get Número 18. As long as we dont stop looking for that missing piece because we got Glen Davies, I dont mind having him on the team. We need to get 2 additional players and we will have to let go 2 of our present roster to make room. Whoever comes and whoever has to go, well, Thats not my decision; I just trust the decision is made to make that move. If Glen is still on the team after the 2 moves; fine with me; if he isnt; then thats the turn of the friendly card.
Turn of a Friendly Card would be ok, but
Let’s avoid Tales of Mystery and Imagination, which is a fine album also, but not a good set of characteristics in team
Regarding the moving screens
I would note that often that the towering toddler hasn’t come to a stop when people (esp PP) start their move. While timing is critical, better a failed screen than an offensive foul. The Mound of Momentum could clearly be better at stopping, but his veteran team mates could help him out a little also.
At This Point
All we can say about BB is that he has potential. I’ve seen a growth in his game and in his maturity. For the future, I don’t see BB as a starter for any team and he’s not an impact player. He’s a role player and it will serve him best to be with a team where he personally can make the most of that situation. I think we need a few more years to make a real assessment of this player. Personally I like him. You can see he has the skills and the fact that he’s improving his game shows he’s coachable. I think he is a valuable member of this team and I hope he remains here after this year. I don’t know of a better situation for a player like this than Boston. He has the right coach and is surrounded by the right teammates. He might find another coach who can help him develop and he might find another team where he could be a starter and get more playing time, but he is and always will be a role player and hopefully he understands that and doesn’t allow some agent to get into his head.
Basic Economics??? Take a look at his paycheck.
I just don’t understand why people rank on Baby. He gives 110 % all the time. He is great passer, great offensive rebounder, he is an above average defender, his midrange shot will come along with time, he has quick feet on the defensive end. Everyone talks about his height, but he has done a more than admirable defensive job on some of the tallest centers and PF’s in the league. All this for a 2nd year, 2nd rounder that played great down the stretch and in the finals in his rookie season. I don’t get what the problem is. Am I the only one that thinks this guy has a good basketball IQ? especially on the defensive end? He gets the identical amount of minutes as House and TA and more minutes than anyone else on the bench, so we know that he is trusted by his coaches and teammates. He makes mistakes and he needs to be more consistent, but I see those things going away with time. Last night’s game is a great example of his talents. Again, 2nd year, 2nd rounder… cut the guy some slack.
Good piece Steve
but please, PLEASE, stop the made-up alliterative nicknames. His name is Glen Davis.
God bless and good night!
Is that to say that even 'Big Baby' doesn't do it for you, Brick?
Sadly, the alliterative nicknames are one of the few parts of my own lameness with which I’m particularly enamored. :-D So that’s probably going to be a no can do, good sir.
I can promise to avoid another “Jerryd Fearless” headline though.
-sw
Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.
by Steve Weinman on Jan 24, 2009 12:15 AM EST up reply actions
Big Baby...
If any, Big Baby is the one that should stick, as it was his given nickname. However, he’s not at LSU anymore, this is an adult.
It seems the CSN crew (specifically Marshall) have been instruction to refer to him as Davis (and not Baby).
Not that this does or even should make a difference in your writing – it’s just not doing it for me. Others seem to like it though, so I don’t know.
My personal opinion is that it detracts from your insights – which are good – so take it for what it’s worth.
God bless and good night!
Though we'll have to agree to disagree on this one,
thanks for the clarification and honesty, Brick.
-sw
Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.
by Steve Weinman on Jan 24, 2009 1:34 AM EST up reply actions
I too am tired of the Powe vs baby part of the debate because clearly the staff
doesn’t see it TOO much as one vs the other. But what is really odd to me is that no one mentions that these very good games baby has had that we were reference, were all when he was in the lineup with the starters. think about all of them. Brick and many others have mentioned that the bench may not be great but the use of it as a unit is what seems to be a good part of the problem. Baby has been very good with the starters. I think Powe has been better with the starters too. I want us to get another shooter and another big man but Id also like to see the bench players not play as a unit so much
Steve
Forget pugnacious papoozles, where’s the Monta Ellis love? First game back and already looking like his old self (and new – he made a three)! Exciting stuff. He’s ready to tear it up without Baron out there. Although, I was looking forward to seeing how the warriors would play with all those guards / swingmen (crawford, ellis, buike, jackon, watson) but crawford wasn’t on the court (injury?). Like the whole Dunleavy Pacers story, I’m expecting this warriors team to bring some excitement back into their game with Monta at the helm. I sincerely believe its only a matter of time before he’s at the same level as D Wade
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