The Incredible Shrinking Big Baby
by Jeff Clark on Sep 27, 2009 12:28 PM EDT
in Boston Celtics Articles
Email
PrintGlen Davis played for LSU in the Final Four weighing a whopping 340 lbs. Drafted a year later, he checked into the NBA at 310 lbs. I'm not sure where his weight is right now, but at times he's indicated that his goal is to get down to around 280 lbs. and his recently signed contract has weight clauses that could be worth up to a million dollars to him (which qualifies as one of the best diet motivations I've ever heard). He looked noticeably thinner in his press conference already and it will be interesting to see what he checks in at tomorrow.
And it might not just be his waistline that could be shrinking. Last year he filled in admirably for an injured Kevin Garnett and was counted on for big minutes and scoring.
Davis was pressed into the starting lineup and went from 21 minutes per game to 36 while bumping his scoring average from 7.0 points to 15.8 a game.
Provided KG is healthy and with the addition of Rasheed Wallace, it would appear that Big Baby's role will be considerably smaller this year. So one of the camp questions would be "what is Big Baby's role going to be on this team?"
For one thing, it is very nice knowing that if an injury occurs (KG is a concern, Perkins could pop out his shoulder at any time, and Sheed is no spring chicken), we know that Davis is ready, willing, and able to step up into a larger role because we've seen him do it.
For another thing, as a player who is still young and growing his game, we can expect to see more and more maturity and development of his skillset. Doc likes his big men to be able to shoot from outside. Last year he dramatically improved his midrange jumper over the course of the year (to the point where he hit a game winning jump shot in the playoffs). Reports are that he's worked on extending his range out to the 3 point line this summer.
As an improving young player, it only made sense to test the waters of free agency. He already had a ring and if he could get more money and a larger role on another team, he would have jumped at the chance. However, the market decided to pass him over and he will have to settle for a smaller role and a smaller paycheck on a team with legitimate Championship aspirations.
It will be interesting to see how he reacts to this new role, considering that at times he's been very openly emotional on and off the court. That is part of who he is and why he can be such a funloving guy when he's enjoying himself. The trick for Doc and the rest of the team is finding the right kind of motivation for him. Maybe KG screaming at him in the huddle (and apparently calling him out) wasn't the best motivation for him. Some guys need more positive motivation. Some guys need goals (like say a clause in their contract tied to target playing weights).
Also, some guys need consistent playing time to get into a rhythm. Some are able to share time or give spot minutes at a high level. For the first year and a half of Baby's career, he seemed to platoon with Leon Powe. Whoever was doing better against a particular team got to play more that day. There were some really bright spots for Davis early on (noticeably against the Pistons and Spurs) but there were forgettable moments as well. Can he go back to being the 4th option in the frontcourt and still be effective most of the time?
Only time will tell how much time he'll get. We know he was hoping to be a bigger fish in a smaller pond, but perhaps he'll be just as successful as a smaller (and smaller) fish in the big pond of Boston.
More Player Articles: Kevin Garnett | Ray Allen | Paul Pierce | Rajon Rondo | Kendrick Perkins | Rasheed Wallace | Brian Scalabrine | Bill Walker | Lester Hudson | Eddie House | Tony Allen | Shelden Williams
26 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
BBD will have his chance to be the man. For now though I hope he continues to mature, soak up what he can from our all stars, and play top notch minutes while our starters are saving some gas for the run to the next championship. I’m looking for our second unit to get much more time this year, especially as competent as it ought to be.
by Thruthelookingglass on Sep 27, 2009 12:42 PM EDT reply actions
This is an interesting paradox
BBD has the ability to outmuscle players taller than him because of his big butt and weight. If he loses a lot of weight, he may lose some of that edge. He’s like a Charles Barkley in that way-undersized but able to push people around because of overall bulk. That said, BBD’s career will be shortened if he carries to much weight for his frame.
by thereallargejames on Sep 27, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions
Yup, I don't view BBD as anything like Barkley other than both were short
for their positions.
Barkley was a beastly rebounder, BBD is very bad.
Compare To Perk
When Perk came here he lost alot of weight and added muscle. When he had problems with plantar fasciaitis he lost more weight., but he still can move big Bigs to where he wants to. I don’t think loosing weight will affect BBD’s ability to do this. If anything the weight loss will help with endurance.
"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn
Baby is our low post banger, he must not lose to much weight.
Baby role is to be a low post banger.
But if loses too much weight he will not be able to do this job anymore making him useless as a player since he will be to slow to play small forwards and to weak to play power forwards.
He has used his weight wisely to his benefit over the past 2 years to bang the hell out of opposing power forwards and some centers in order to disrupt their games.
If Baby loses too much bulk though, he will not be able to bang these players anymore and instead will be overpowered in the low post.
So I hope he goes easy on his weightloss program.
It will also be interesting to see the effect Williams has on Babys minutes this year and how the 2 will fight for playing time.
I think Williams has a chance to contribute alot this year along with Baby since the C’s will hopefully be trying to keep the frontline players minutes low this season, which will open up playing time for both players.
Well, if his goal was 280 pounds...
I don’t think that’s a bad weight to be at. Put it this way, he still has 30 pounds on Lebron! ; )
in similar news
looks like Al Jefferson lost 30 pounds himself
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
There is a trade off
Less minutes means more energy over a shorter period of time and less focus on fouls, so you can be more productive without holding back.
But your personal development is slowed down a bit, simply because there is no substitute for actual playing time.
I think Davis will get about 15 -18 minutes a game, depending on the match ups. Some think he will get less (about 12 minutes) But I would be surprised if that is the case.
Should be an interesting year, in that respect.
Small Forward
Whether people like it or not, I think there’s going to be some sort of effort to try Baby out at the 3 for limited amounts of time. And I think his weight loss is directly related to this fact.
I think that also.
I believe he will play some small forward as a "Big small forward. He has quick feet and he could match up well with some second stringers.
I wouldn't mind BBD playing the 3 spot
I think the weight incentives in his contract are gearing him just for that.
Don't Trade Rondo or Perk!
To MS12
Baby in a interview several months ago said he was working on extending his jumper range out to 3 point land.
Early Success....
If rumors are true that KG could ‘take it easy’ early in the season, that will mean more minutes for Sheed and Davis. If Sheed settles in as Perk’s backup for 18-20 per then I think we see Baby as KG’s backup for the same amount, provided he takes advantage of the opportunity when it is provided.
I think a second unit of Baby, Sheed and Eddie each being lethal from 3pt land will be huge for us. Add in Daniels to run the floor with a random Pierce or Ray and we have a potent scoring second team off the bench.
If that unit will run it will be successful. If we are walkin it up….not as much IMO.
"First fix their hearts"-Eizo Shimabuku
Davis@not-a-SF.com
…IF Davis weighs 280lbs, he sure as heck won’t be a SF…he has enough troule
guarding PFs on the perimeter….
Weight loss will not decrease strength – loss of mass by way of fat may hurt his
ability to hold position against Centers, but his future is as a PF and a faster,
more mobile PF Davis is a good thing all around….now he needs to show thathe
can REBOUND like a PF—-at least 8/36mpg….i’d also like to see a reliable go-to post move and a nice pull up off one dribble….he’s a work in progress…
SF
You may be right, but I do think the C’s plan on trying him there. Or at the very least, I think we’ll see lineups of Davis/KG/Wallace all on the floor at the same time. Perhaps KG would guard 3s in such lineups.
I don’t blame the C’s for giving it a try. While I think Daniels and House will eat up most of the backup 2/3 minutes, there may be an odd 5-10 mpg some games that need to be filled. If the C’s are looking to keep the most talented players on the floor, playing Baby at the 3 (or KG there with Baby at the 4) keeps more talent on the floor than if the C’s went with Walker or Giddens at the 3.
Whether it’ll work or not remains to be seen. However, I think it might. People will make a fuss about how KG doesn’t have the lateral quickness to guard 3s anymore, but I a) think that’s incorrect, and b) think even if it is correct, he’d still guard opposing 3s better than Giddens, Walker, or Allen.
BBD Did The Right Things
Over the summer BBD worked on conditioning and his game. He did this thru the travails of his contract situation. BBD is in a great situation for himself in Boston. He can really learn how to play the game the right way. I only hope he doesn’t go overboard with shooting the threes. His mid-range shot serves the purpose of pulling opponents away from the basket or helping out on other Celtics. All he really needs to do is to really keep knocking down the mid-ranger. I’m looking forward to seeing him expand his game. His IQ is up there and he seems to find the sky when shooting under the basket. He can be a real plus for us and for himself.
"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn
Remember Gomes
Gomes was a PF coming into the league, but the Celtics had him work on his SF skills (with good reason, he was undersized and didn’t weigh 300+ lbs like Davis). It helped make Gomes a better player. Certainly Baby and Gomes aren’t the same player, but if Baby is working on his 3 point range, he may see a few experimental minutes at SF.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
