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November 2, 2008
Thoughts on roles and Glen Davis
When in the locker room, you get a fair amount of audio quotes. Many of them are pretty much run of the mill stuff.
When time permits, I'll go back through for "quotes and notes" I feel you might be interested in hearing. It might not be ground breaking stuff, but still worth a listen (or a read).
I've been optimistic about Glen Davis' possibilities since I first started to read about him, his over-sized personality, over-sized body, and his game.
When I actually got to see him play, from early on I liked what I saw. He has what you would call "a nose for the ball." But his NBA ride has been an interesting one. It has certainly not gone in a straight line, nor does it for most rookies. Learning curves are part of making it in the league.
Glen seems like the kind of guy who lives life with an exclamation point. Comedian, dancer, and pro basketball player. Right now, it is more about question marks then exclamation points in Glen's career.
The question mark surrounding him since day one has been his height...or is it his weight?
Actually it is both and.... neither.
Glen is listed at 6 ft. 9 in. tall and 289 lbs. Some say both numbers are generous. But there is more to it than either. It is also about Glen's role on the team. Doc Rivers says he is just as talented as he's always been. But Coach Rivers expectations for Glen are modest, but important.
Doc commented at one point in preseason that Glen was trying to do too much. Since that time Glen has tried hard to fit the expectations of Doc Rivers. What are those expectations?
It's about maximizing (my) role. Doc says "to do whatever you do to the highest level."
Does your role change from game to game or is it pretty much the same?
My role is simple. Set picks. Play defense. Make the extra pass. Be a team mate. Get rebounds.
So Doc's not looking for much offense from you at this stage of the game. It's more to set up the offense for your team mates?
'Yes sir."
From early on last season we saw flashes of a very nimble and energetic big man with what appears to be a versatile set of skills. Like all ball players, I'm sure Glen would like to demonstrate those skills at this level.
Something called 'team needs' require simpler things from the man known as Big Baby. Just as Leon Powe was expected to fill a very strict role offensively until very recently, Glen Davis understands he must do the same.
As he says, his role is simple. But it is an important one for an effective team oriented offense. The team has scorers. It needs people to set great picks at the right spots on the floor to set team mates free to make the shot or to make the pass that makes the shot, and then roll to the hoop for the rebound.
Like the work of linemen in football, it is the unheralded part of basketball offense- but every bit as critical. Like many star players coming to the NBA, it was not the biggest part of Glen's role in college.
When I see other, lesser teams in the league, I can see the drastic difference between those teams and the league's upper echelon teams like the NBA champion Celtics. Offensive execution and successfully running plays with a purpose are things expected on a team like the Celtics. It is a pleasant surprise on lower level teams.
But top coaches like Doc Rivers have to be part psychologist to coach and bring the best out of a team of very different individuals. Players like Glen Davis and Sam Cassell bring a certain larger-than-life spirit to their play. Helping them fit a team's system while still bringing out the best in them can be a challenge.
A number of Celtics have started slow offensively, Eddie House, Brian Scalabrine and Glen Davis among them. Though it is not really the biggest part of his role, it will still be nice to see Glen hit an open jump shot, make a few lay-ups on the run, or as put backs.
Like most NBA players and his running mate Leon Powe, Glen had been a solid scorer in college, averaging 17.7 points and 10.4 rebounds in his 3rd and final year at LSU. He finished as LSU's 10th leading scorer and 6th leading rebounder in just three seasons.
But questions remain about his ability to translate that success to the NBA.
It is my feeling that another time or on another team he would be able to show a bit more of his skills. But that is the price you pay to play in the NBA and on a championship team. Right now, Glen's job is set picks and play defense.
How has year two been so far?
As a player, I think I've grown to learn the game more. Just get knowledge from watching the players around me.
One thing you will get every game from Glen 'Big Baby' Davis is his all out energetic play. He is either crashing into the stands or diving onto the floor for a loose ball or jumping over someone with a quickness and effort you are surprised to see from someone so large.
All Doc will look for is some solid picks on offense and solid defense. No doubt you will see Glen doing that to the "maximum" of his ability.
Posted by Tom on November 2, 2008 10:42 PM
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