Which Baby C makes a leap next year?

[Bankshot]

I'd go with Davis as having the most ability to make a big improvement from last year, not only in the above areas, but certainly with his consistency.  This year, I expect more steady performances, rather than the constant ups-and-downs of last year.

I still think that Davis can mold into an more skilled Antione Walker who actually likes to play under the hoop.

His passing skills are unbelievable at his position: no-looks, bullet passes that hit the hands of the target -- this guy has the passing skills of a guard.

I really hope he stays true to his commitment to the fitness room, because converting 30 lbs of baby fat into 20 lbs of muscle can potentially do miracles. I mean, the guy has the footwork to stay with wing players on switches as he is, can you imagine what he can do with proper conditioning?

And of course, consistency will be what we'll all be looking at this season, but I agree that Davis is far from topping out.

Yeah, I agree about Baby too.  I really think if he gets his conditioning in order, he will be a better player than Powe.  He is just so much more skilled than Powe, imo.

[Cman]

Giddens or BBD

[Montrossity]

While I expect improvement from BBD (from improved fitness/experience) as well as Perk and Rondo (you dont start that many playoff games in a season without becoming a far more hardened player and both have shown continuous improvements with no signs of slowing), I think the most noticeable development will come from Pruitt. 

He was a talented enough college player to be projected as a mid first rounder, has been tutored by some of the leagues best and will find himself in a more substantial role this year.  I would not be surprised to see him emerge as a consistent bench player with occasional breakout games. 

[ForexPirate]

this is a good topic - helps you realize how well danny is doing building a team for life after the big 3.  no one can agree who is going to take the next step meaning they all have the potential to go to the next level.

me - I like Powe.  He is one of my favorite players.  But as far as breaking out goes, I think Rondo will shoot more consistently.  I think that once O'bryant learns how not to commit 1 foul every 3.4 minutes he will take a major step forward and may eventually be out starting center. 

[tallpaul]

Rondo is very good and can become an elite point.

Perkins is OK to good. Can do what he needs to do but won't ever do much more.

All the rest still have to earn even the title "journeyman" to me.

Bottom line - there is not much beyond the starting 5. Not that a lot is necessarily needed right now - but the longer term future is a different story.

[Triboy16]

big baby to lose 15 pounds and gain some vertical jump or it could spell the end of his nba career nevermind getting any play time

Giddens will be huge next year. 8 rebounds per game for a 6'5 guy is ridicously impressive. He seems as fearless as rondo

[Surferdad]

I agree with all the comments, but I'm actually looking for Leon Powe to make an impressive jump.  He showed what he can do when KG went down for a while.  I think he had a number of double-doubles during that time, plus he had a few great games in the playoffs.  I just think he's got the heart and toughness -- kind of a Charles Oakley type.  Not to say other players won't improve but Leon could surprise a few people.  He will certainly get the opportunity as I still see him as first big man off the bench when the season starts.  Davis is a year behind Powe's schedule but could overtake him eventually as he is more skilled overall.

[zerophase]

powe i think would become a ton better if he had consistent playing time. i feel the celtics need to get rid of either powe or davis if one of them is to prosper- this lets split the minutes thing isn't gunna work. powe midrange could be killer and he finished strong against the rim so i feel that he could become, basically like what he did in game 2 of the finals, but this time consistently like that.

[pearljammer10]

I cant believe im saying this but im going with Perkins. Kids 23 and has five years in the league, 3 of them as a starter. He's been working hard, loosing weight changing his game and improving. If he can stay healthy, knock on wood, and can learn how to NOT DRIBBLE THE BALL UNDER THE HOOP and keep it up high he can turn into something special alongside garnett.

Also Rondo will continue to improve and may make a huge leap this year after his stellar finals performance.

[JBcat]

Well since Pruitt was basically nonexistent last year I would go with him making the biggest leap but that's different than saying he will be the best young player on the team.  I think he would have been a top 20 pick had he come out this year and should get some time in the rotation next season maybe at both the PG and SG positions. 

[Reyquila]

What the exact height of G Davis. I see its somewhere between 6.7 and 6.9. Im pretty sure its not 6.9/ Anyone really has the right numbers?

[JollyGreen17]

Powe and Giddens

[billysan]

To me this is a multi-tiered equation. First it depends on the future of three guys as Celtics: Posey, House and Tony Allen in that order. The retention or lack of those three will affect the potential playing time of Pruitt and Giddens. It will affect what FA we sign besides O'Bryant. It will also affect who will be the first man off the bench. My guess is that battle will be between Glen Davis and Leon Powe unless we resign Posey.

1-If we keep Posey, Giddens playing time should be significantly less. If we keep TA as well, Giddens will likely end up in the D league. If we keep neither, he has the potential to become a rotation player.

2-If we keep Eddie House then Gabe Pruitt's minutes will be shortened IMO and possibly his tenure as a Celtic. I think with a chance at more minutes, he will play very well. If we sign a Lue or Starbury, he will sit and watch.

3-If we do not re-sign Posey, Davis and Powe will battle to be the first man off the bench. I give Davis the edge because he is more talented. I think if Leon can develop a consistent 12-15 foot jumper, he wins hands down.

Perk and Rondo will also be much better and more consistent. Add Davis and Powe, suddenly we have four young guys filled with confidence who have just won a championship ring. It doesnt get much better for me.

Since the OP asked for a prediction I will go with Glen Davis. He is looking mighty svelte in recent photos I saw in the Herald and other places. I think the guy will continue to work out like a madman, lose weight, develop his outside shot, jump higher, feed off of KG and win this argument hands down.

[jdub1660]

Big Baby Davis proved in a 20 point game in Detroit last season that he can play NBA game as well as he did at UCLA. I think he has alot of room to grow with consistency and shot selection and shot form. He seemed lost alot and overly excited that he was on the floor with such big stars and possibility of getting a ring so soon, as he made rookie mistakes. Now he's a sophomore and will learn from KG and Powe even to control yourself but play BIG

[2short]

I can't count Rondo as a baby C since his performance last year was so good.  His next jump will be all star status.
I'd look (in order)
Powe - has what it takes to have a nice nba career and showed some great never seen moves as a c last year, more confidence in himself and from his teammates
Davis - very inconsistant last year so should improve on that
Perk - hard to believe he's this young, if he can stay on court guy can really play d, playing with kg will improve his game
x factor (not not xavier), pruitt, don't know what playing time he'll get but what a shot this kid has, in a perfect setting he could learn from ray and slip into his spot years from now