Contract year for Baby makes for a tough decision for the Celtics.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

I don't know if this matters but someone here said Baby is 28. I'll just correct that and say that he turned 24 or 25 on Jan. 1st.

Chris, you say Baby is a bad rebounder but I remember him being pretty good with the rebounding at various points in his career. I don't know why it's different now, but from watching the games, I'd say they are just not available to him in his constantly varying positions.

Though he definately has been holding onto the guy he's guarding in order that KG or one of the Celtics can get the rebound.

Maybe we could start a new stat entitled 'Enabling Rebounds' and it would look pretty good, I think.

I see this argument a lot, and honestly, I don't buy it. I think this is one of those "see it because you are looking for it" kind of things. Lots of bigs box out. all the bigs on the C's box out. But the C's team rebounding numbers, nor the rebounding numbers of the bigs themselves, suddenly sky rocket because davis has boxed out the opposing bigs. KG's always rebounded this way, as have perk and shaq, regardless of who else plays with them up front. I think you could pick ANY poor rebounding big and focus on when he boxes out but teammates get the rebound and conclude that he's an invaluable boxer outer if you really wanted to.

For example, this season the C's as a team rebound better when davis is off the court. not by a lot, but it's true.



As another aside, I don't think the "pf/c" split really exists that much in today's nba. I buy more into the "point, 2 wings, 2 bigs." Regardless, I don't see how switching between the two positions of PF and Center would really affect rebounding; both are "big" positions around the basket. If it was a 3/4 tweener, I'd see that.

It is only my opinion...but it seems to me that bbd doesn't WANT to be a rebounder....he more likes the Ray Allen role. Outside shooter inside now and then for a change up....Well it is easier less physical less hustle required in that role...and bbd could be looked at as 50% lazy. It is also obvious that if he wanted to be a rebounder the type that maybe makes the NBA list...he probably could....but the way he is going he won't. His lazyness is also showing in his body.

[mmbaby]

The last thing I'd call Big Baby is lazy. He's worked his butt off. I don't think that's the reason for the lack of rebounding.

[indeedproceed]

The last thing I'd call Big Baby is lazy. He's worked his butt off. I don't think that's the reason for the lack of rebounding.

Absolutely. He came into camp in shape, he's obviously worked hard on his game (changing it virtually from season to season), and I don't think anyone is doubting he's not doing his best out there. If anything, I think the problem might be that he tries too hard sometimes.

[Bahku]

The last thing I'd call Big Baby is lazy. He's worked his butt off. I don't think that's the reason for the lack of rebounding.

Absolutely. He came into camp in shape, he's obviously worked hard on his game (changing it virtually from season to season), and I don't think anyone is doubting he's not doing his best out there. If anything, I think the problem might be that he tries too hard sometimes.

I echo this sentiment as well ... if there's one thing that Glen Davis is not, it's lazy. Say what you want, but the guy gives 110% whenever he's on the court, and has a ton of heart. I wish Red were still around, cuz he'd love this kid.

[Spilling Green Dye]

The last thing I'd call Big Baby is lazy. He's worked his butt off. I don't think that's the reason for the lack of rebounding.

Absolutely. He came into camp in shape, he's obviously worked hard on his game (changing it virtually from season to season), and I don't think anyone is doubting he's not doing his best out there. If anything, I think the problem might be that he tries too hard sometimes.

I echo this sentiment as well ... if there's one thing that Glen Davis is not, it's lazy. Say what you want, but the guy gives 110% whenever he's on the court, and has a ton of heart. I wish Red were still around, cuz he'd love this kid.

An accurate parallel can be drawn between Davis and Antoine Walker.  Walker loved playing, he played hard, could rebound but preferred to shoot, and for most of his career could run the court well.  However he focused on the aspects of his game that he enjoyed the most, and didn't do an adequate job of getting into optimal basketball shape.  It seems to me that Davis could, if he focused on it, lose fat, work on his vertical, etc.  However, Davis would rather be shooting jumpers.

[Bahku]

The last thing I'd call Big Baby is lazy. He's worked his butt off. I don't think that's the reason for the lack of rebounding.

Absolutely. He came into camp in shape, he's obviously worked hard on his game (changing it virtually from season to season), and I don't think anyone is doubting he's not doing his best out there. If anything, I think the problem might be that he tries too hard sometimes.

I echo this sentiment as well ... if there's one thing that Glen Davis is not, it's lazy. Say what you want, but the guy gives 110% whenever he's on the court, and has a ton of heart. I wish Red were still around, cuz he'd love this kid.

An accurate parallel can be drawn between Davis and Antoine Walker.  Walker loved playing, he played hard, could rebound but preferred to shoot, and for most of his career could run the court well.  However he focused on the aspects of his game that he enjoyed the most, and didn't do an adequate job of getting into optimal basketball shape.  It seems to me that Davis could, if he focused on it, lose fat, work on his vertical, etc.  However, Davis would rather be shooting jumpers.

Actually, he does a great deal of his work in the paint, leads the NBA at taking charges, and moves his feet more quickly than most players I've ever seen at his size, and to infer that the only part of his game he cares about is shooting jumpers, is selling him very short. Every player on this team works on all facets of their game, and he is expected to stay in shape as much as anyone else wearing a green uniform.

[thirstyboots18]

Davis does look to be in the best shape he has been in since his foray into judo, and  that indicates that he is working on it.  He is at the prime age to do that...it doesn't get easier with age.  Weight/conditioning may always be a challenge for him. 

[Casperian]

My apologies that I didn´t post in this thread earlier. My girlfriend and I only see each other at the weekends, and she doesn´t like it when I ignore her to post on CB...women...*sigh*

Just wanted to say that I agree with sspence and IP´s posts.

TP for the both of you.

[Chris]

The last thing I'd call Big Baby is lazy. He's worked his butt off. I don't think that's the reason for the lack of rebounding.

Absolutely. He came into camp in shape, he's obviously worked hard on his game (changing it virtually from season to season), and I don't think anyone is doubting he's not doing his best out there. If anything, I think the problem might be that he tries too hard sometimes.

I echo this sentiment as well ... if there's one thing that Glen Davis is not, it's lazy. Say what you want, but the guy gives 110% whenever he's on the court, and has a ton of heart. I wish Red were still around, cuz he'd love this kid.

An accurate parallel can be drawn between Davis and Antoine Walker.  Walker loved playing, he played hard, could rebound but preferred to shoot, and for most of his career could run the court well.  However he focused on the aspects of his game that he enjoyed the most, and didn't do an adequate job of getting into optimal basketball shape.  It seems to me that Davis could, if he focused on it, lose fat, work on his vertical, etc.  However, Davis would rather be shooting jumpers.

Actually, he does a great deal of his work in the paint, leads the NBA at taking charges, and moves his feet more quickly than most players I've ever seen at his size, and to infer that the only part of his game he cares about is shooting jumpers, is selling him very short. Every player on this team works on all facets of their game, and he is expected to stay in shape as much as anyone else wearing a green uniform.

I agree.  I don't think Davis "loves" shooting like Walker did.  I do think Walker is a guy who teams will look at however, as a warning with guys like Davis.

Not because of the possible off the court issues (although I am sure that will at least be examined), but because they are both guys who have had weight issues. 

Walker actually had a very similar game to Davis (although he was taller, and a little more skilled).  They both played below the rim, and relied on their quick feet, craftiness, and awareness to grab offensive rebounds, and sneak shots up in the paint. 

When Walkers career started going downhill, it wasn't because he just liked shooting 3's so much.  It was because he began to lose a little of that quickness (partly from age, partly from extra weight he could no longer keep off as he got older), and suddenly, the shots he was able to "sneak" up were not getting past the shot blockers, and he was a half a step slower in running down those offensive rebounds that he used to beat everyone to. 

And that is a genuine fear with Davis as well.  Right now, he is basically at his physical peak.  I don't think he is going to get quicker.  He will continue to hone his skills more, but will they be enough to make up for his feet slowing down just enough for others to catch up with him?  Will he be able to work that much harder to keep the weight off now that he is getting older?