Big Baby Is Making A Big Adjustment

by Roy_Hobbs on Oct 23, 2009 2:04 PM EDT in News/Links Comment 35 comments

Is BBD worried about his end of game minutes?

There's no doubt that some Celtics fans are fed up with the theme of "the kids aren't alright". However, ever since Doc noted that team chemistry was less than perfect last season, any comment regarding a player's potential unhappiness in his role is going to be scrutinized. As such, Mark Murphy's article this morning regarding Glen Davis sent up some red flags:

Davis’ biggest change - and this is strictly a work in progress - is the need to contain his ego.

Kevin Garnett’s return from knee surgery means Davis’ prime-time role will be reduced. He’s back to being a reserve and sometimes envisions the worst possible result from it.

"It’s real difficult to go back, from playing 30 minutes or even 35 on a good night, to playing 12 or 15 on a good night," Davis said. "There’s a lot of great players on this team."

Surely, he’s being hard on himself. Surely, there’s more playing time in store.

"I hope so," he said.

As a result, Davis now faces a significant mental challenge. He must accept a smaller role.

"I don’t know how to accept that yet," he said. "I don’t know how to do it yet. It’s not as if we’ve gone over it. Nobody tells me nothing."

The above doesn't sound like a happy player. Davis notes in the article that if another team had offered him a position as a starter, he would have readily left the team. Davis came so close to leaving that, according to him, he told his girlfriend to pack their bags, before ultimately deciding to resign with the Celts.

Is this a concern? Possibly. First, there's no doubt that Glen Davis is an emotional player. One wonders whether concerns about his role will fester, especially in light of yesterday's article that there were some tensions between the veterans and the young guys on the team. Certainly, it would have been better to hear BBD simply echo the words from earlier this summer, when he said "The Celtics organization is a great thing to be a part of . . . For me to come in here and fill out my role - whatever that might be - it's an exciting time." Maybe "ubuntu" was just a slogan from the championship season, but I miss hearing it.

On the other hand, I think BBD's frustrations are normal. It's clear that he thinks he earned a larger role with the team, and from his past comments, it's also pretty likely that he wants minutes so he can earn a larger contract. For better or for worse, BBD has always made it clear that this is a business, and it's pretty clear that he wants to maximize that business opportunity. While that certainly sounds anti-ubuntu, it also means that BBD will be doing everything in his power to perform when he does see minutes, not only to earn more time on the floor, but to get the notice of opposing general managers. Indeed, BBD wasn't happy when he slipped to the second round, but rather than sulk, he put together strong rookie and sophomore campaigns to earn himself a nice contract. There's no reason to doubt that he won't put the same effort in next year.

While it may have been better if BBD had avoided the topic altogether, it's important to remember how he left things:

"That’s great, to have the chance to be a part of something this great," Davis said. "I’m here now - a part of it. So I have to roll with the shot I’ve got. I’m here until they don’t want me anymore."

I think that's the right attitude to have, and let's hope that this is the mind set that ultimately wins out. BBD will have enough problems dealing with his new interior / rebounding role; there's no need to let ego and pride complicate things even further.

0 recs | Comment 35 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

BBD still doesn't take himself too seriously...

Green17 informs me:

Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis will appear at Cambridge’s Chipotle Mexican Grill on Saturday October 24. He will roll burritos for five lucky WEEI-AM radio contest winners as well as for local youth from BELL. While at Chipotle, Davis will film a promotional video for the burrito eatery. All of those in attendance on Saturday will be extras in the video which will play during Celtics’ home games! After the video shoot, Davis will serve the burritos to the contest winners and BELL kids.

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

by Roy_Hobbs on Oct 23, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As long as he plays well when he’s out there, he’ll be fine. You don’t need to play 30 minutes a game for the smart GM’s to notice you all the time. Look at Gortat.

Actually, speaking of Gortat, it helped that his team made it to the finals. Think about that, Glen!

by Lu Galasso on Oct 23, 2009 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He'll Get Minutes

There will be injuries, etc. He will get plenty of minutes.

by Brickowski on Oct 23, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Glen will be the second big off the bench.

He has to have known that all along.

by Ben Buchanan on Oct 23, 2009 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Baby...

is not happy being on a team with a great shot of winning a title and playing limited minutes then maybe Danny should seek trading him for a player who would be happy coming off our bench in a limited role who wants to win a ring.

If Baby is upset of not getting alot of minutes or starting this year, the problem will not go away and damage team chemistry , if that is the case (I stress if) maybe then a trade would be best for he and the C’s.

If a trade is seeked who knows maybe Danny can even get a better talented player in
return for Davis maybe someone taller and who can rebound, block shots and score better in the low post better.

If they package Davis along with him either Scal or TA’S expiring contract they could even get a better talented player in return for Davis and the matter turns out for the better.

Hopefully though this matter is not a issue of concern or any problem for Davis or the C’s and a trade will never have to take place.

Only Davis and the C’s know for sure though.

by fordescort on Oct 23, 2009 2:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That could be why...

…they were looking at Sweetney. Don’t forget, Stephen Jackson is available and Glen could be included in a trade after 12/15

by Little D on Oct 23, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry!

I already made my post before I read yours…. I agree completely. Package him with Scal and TA and land a good-to-great player who is on a crappy team.

by funkstarrdeluxe on Oct 23, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, even the 'Grown Man' is sounding petulant these days.

by clover on Oct 23, 2009 2:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I take issue with this interpretation

“Davis notes in the article that if another team had offered him a position as a starter, he would have readily left the team.”

Not exactly true, all Baby said is that he ‘hoped’ have an offer from a team in need of a starting power forward.

And it’s easy to figure out why he hoped such a thing: a team with a starting position to offer probably would have offered more money as well as more minutes. Again, as I said in the Baby thread in the Forums, Baby’s just expressing normal player emotions regarding dollars and playing time. Such expression is not exactly a hot news item.

by SalmonAndMashedPotatoes on Oct 23, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You're allowed your opinion...

… but BBD made it exceedingly clear that his loyalty to Boston extends only as far as his current contract. He’s in this for money, and he’s been surprisingly candid about that. Many players are, of course, but BBD is one of the few that doesn’t even pretend that he’s here because of the mystique of wearing the green and white.

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

by Roy_Hobbs on Oct 23, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

probably not just money

But not loyalty either. I think he wants playing time, fame, fortune and stardom and spotlight. I think he’s somewhat like the Shawn Marion model of being happier as the star of a bad team than a role player on a good team, which isn’t as bad for a 2nd year player who’s mainly been a reserve as it is for a multiple time all-star in his late 20s/early 30s.

Just a feeling, btw.

by BballTim on Oct 23, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not that black-and-white

He’s a player and he wants to play, just like all players. It’s not all about money, it’s about seeing a payoff, in terms of playing time and money, for all the hard work he puts in. All players have to juggle the demands of the team versus the demands of their ego. The fact that Baby actually voices the concerns of every player just makes him a shade more honest than most—it doesn’t make him a money hungry mercenary.

by SalmonAndMashedPotatoes on Oct 23, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looking at his past comments...

… with BBD I think it’s almost primarily the money. Read his past comments, where he literally repeated the “it’s a business” line at least a half-dozen times. That, plus his comments after the draft, suggest that he does, in fact, see this as an occupation (which it of course is.)

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

by Roy_Hobbs on Oct 23, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Again, it's just some honesty

The ’it’s a business’ comments came during contract negotiations…players say that all the time, and if we’re going to congratulate the Cs for taking the hard line when it comes to guys like Powe, then we should be willing to congratulate players who take the same line in the middle of negotiations…

Money is one facet, but it’s about more than that; it’s about playing time, fame, maximizing his potential as a player and a money earner, it’s about winning, it’s about being in a happy place personally…it’s about a lot of things that don’t just boil down to money, no matter how simplisticly you might want to interpret his comments.

by SalmonAndMashedPotatoes on Oct 23, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

However, fans generally appreciate it when players at least pay lip service to things like winning and loyalty, rather than their ego and pay check. As you say (and as I said), BBD is just more candid (or less media savvy) than most players.

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

by Roy_Hobbs on Oct 23, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or at least, many (rather than “most”) players.

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

by Roy_Hobbs on Oct 23, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I'm reminded of..

’Sheed’s famous CTC comments…as in he’s loyal to whoever Cuts The Check.

As idealistic as we as fans would like it to be, it does all boil down to CTC, both in basketball and in our lives as well…

by SalmonAndMashedPotatoes on Oct 23, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So true...

It was clear by all his “it’s a business” quotes over the summer that for Baby getting the biggest contract possible was more important then staying a Boston Celtic.

by fordescort on Oct 23, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are allowed to your opinion

…but expecting any loyalty to a club from a player who can be traded almost anytime to any other club without his agreement is very strange to say the least.
Powe was loyal. What good did it do for him? Now he’s repeating the “it’s business” mantra what every other player says. He learned the hard way that loyalty doesn’t matter in this league or any other pro league. It’s good for winning fans but nothing else.

Btw loyalty. Slightly off in a BBD topic but I never heard any kind of expression of loyalty from Rondo for example. Only that he’ll be happy where he wanted. Still nobody seemed to notice it. And he’s supposed to be the foundation or one of the guys which the team will build on once the Big 3 is no more. That’s more worriing than BBD in my opinion.
What about Daniels? He came here to win a ring and to play with a couple of future hall of famers. IMO he would have done it to any other team with the same quality players and hopes. And after this year he’ll be gone unless Danny gives him way more money.
If a player can go to a club which gives him better salary or minutes then there’s nothing wrong leaving his old club for the new one. And there’s nothing wrong expressing this either.

by dexter11 on Oct 24, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

spot on roy.

Yeah, BBD is definitely in it for the green, and I mean green with the lowercase g. I can understand his reasoning. He was a second round pick and has performed well above several first round picks. He knows that with his body type he doesn’t have long in the NBA to make his money. He needs to make it now. He’s already got a ring, and most players never even get a shot at one. I don’t blame him one bit for feeling the way he does. I can’t say that I like it, just that I understand it.

by dobbs on Oct 23, 2009 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Let's TRADE HIM

While his value is still, we could potentially trade him and some of the expiring contracts for someone that will help (Stephen Jackson?) Just a thought, but why risk it? Williams can bring in some added depth off the bench, Baby is expendable. If we could turn him, Scal and Tony Allen into Jackson, who wouldn’t do that?

by funkstarrdeluxe on Oct 23, 2009 3:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the problem with trading him...

… is what happens if there’s an injury to a big man? Shelden Williams is serviceable as a 5th big, but I wouldn’t want him in the rotation. BBD can step in for any of the other bigs.

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

by Roy_Hobbs on Oct 23, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree 100%

If you do trade Baby you do so for another power forward or center, you do not trade him for a guard or small forward.

If we traded Baby for guard or small forward that would just make us thin up front again.

by fordescort on Oct 23, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Listen to yourself

Yeah, Baby’s got a bad attitude, let’s trade him for Stephen Jackson, the guy with the giant contract who’s only available because he’s been publicly asking for a trade.

Do you guys even listen to yourself? You extrapolating me-first intent for some honest, ultimately harmless comments from Baby and then using those comments to argue for a trade for someone who’s actually me-first in a much more real, tangible way, and has already worn out his welcome in 4 NBA locales.

by SalmonAndMashedPotatoes on Oct 23, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BB looks fine in preseason

I’m not really worried about him (or Rondo for that matter). Davis already went through the free agent process once so i imagine he’s a little hardened to it. he knows playing well will get him paid. if he tries going for stats, the Cs have the guys (barring injury) to bury him on the bench. not that i think it will come to that.

i did kind of perk up when he mentioned being a “star” in the league. i’m not sure what his defintion is, but i for one don’t ever see him being a “star” (the Big three are stars, Sheed was a star, Rondo could be a star, etc). he obviously has a high opinion of himself, and not that i begrudge him that…but he’s going to be disappointed methinks.

by Berkcelt on Oct 23, 2009 3:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm inclined to agree

with Salmon on this one too. I’m not worried because I think he’s gonna be a grownup and play his role and do what he’s supposed to do but I think the key response was his one about having to re-adjust to being a bit player on team whereas late last year and in the playoffs he had somewhat of a coming out party. When everyone went down in the frontcourt he was a major contributor in the starting lineup and was obviously looking to build on that success either here or on another team that was willing to give him starter’s minutes. He saw the writing on the wall when they signed Sheed. He knew his minutes were gonna go way back down and then he didn’t get an offer anyone else. I can understand that that would be frustrating. He probably feels his positive momentum from the end of last year was just halted due to things beyond his control. Still I think he’ll be fine.

by bucknersrevenge on Oct 23, 2009 5:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cut the guy a little slack.

In the pro’s, he’s never had anything but success – winning a championship in his rookie year. He doesn’t yet know what that means. Lots of players talk foolishly when they’re young, before they’ve gained a perspective. A lot of them wise up.

by no kidding on Oct 23, 2009 8:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i dont know if its about 'wising up"

what exactly is he saying htat is so immature. you guys need to relax. he just feels like he can be a starter in this league and he wants to be apart of the reason celtics will be successful. give the guy a break. hes just being human. not saying it wont hurt chemstry. just saying who can blame the guy. i woudln’t want to sit on the bench.

by mandoman10 on Oct 24, 2009 3:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In this case, “wising up” would mean having the maturity and the sense not to be discussing with the media one’s thoughts and feelings about playing 12 minutes a night, as opposed to 30 minutes. Doc’s going to play Davis however minutes he sees fit. It doesn’t help Doc, Davis, the team or the organization to have Davis talking openly about the matter.

by no kidding on Oct 24, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

na. i dont think so. clearly no one is communicating with him about his role

media might be his only recourse he is acting rationally.

by mandoman10 on Oct 24, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you believe Davis, that "nobody tells" him "nothing"?

You figure all the doors are closed to him, and he doesn’t know what his coaching staff wants out of him, right?

I guess it’d be impolite to ask what kind of line of work you’re in?

by no kidding on Oct 24, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe that he believes taht no one tells him anything.

whats ur damage? ill tell you what i do if its relevant. i try to avoid it so as to avoid giving my comments unnecessary weight.

by mandoman10 on Oct 25, 2009 3:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you miss ubuntu?

i mean come on. this is a player who feels he can be a starter in this league. he wants a chance whats the problem? ego? you think that is a bad thing?

come on. hes profession and, most likely, greates love is basketball. he wants to play. not saying it wont hurt team chemistry. but you can’t get on him for it. why blame him. hes just being human.

by mandoman10 on Oct 24, 2009 3:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Roy - WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM

I read Mark Murphy’s article before your post. I had to go reread Murphy’s article because I didn’t get all the negativity that you did. There’s no red flag! He wants to play more. So you go out and "EARN IT". And if he didn’t want to play, I wouldn’t want him on the team. Would you?

As for no one has talked to him, but he’s been told to holster his jump shot and play in the post and rebound more. He’s know he’s on the 2nd team and by his own words he be "playing 12 or 15 on a good night". Looks like he KNOWS his role.

And the comment about him almost leaving in the off season. Did I miss the big offer that he got from another team?

As for his ego he will put that in check and play or KG will B_ _ _ _ Slap him. Besides he’s pretty smart. He knows he has to improve if he wants a better deal in 2 years.

His comment on last year’s playoffs was his key comment but was probably lost to YOU and most readers because it was buried at the end of the article. "It helped me as a player – it helped me in just showing how I can be a star in this league," he said. "It was a good experience for me, and I think it will have a lasting effect as far as letting me know what I can do. It gave him confidence and showed he could compete in the league and maybe at a high level.

IMO, he’s a role player. He was brought back once the market set his salary. He was insurance for KG and he’s a trade chip that Danny can and probably will use.

by badax33 on Oct 24, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs