Giving Credit where Credit is Due- BBD

[EJPLAYA]

I haven't been as hard on BBD as I have been in the past on TA, however I definitely have not been real happy with what he has brought us for most of the time he has been on our squad. I have noticed though some things that he has done recently that I wanted to compliment him on.

- He has been doing a much better job finishing at the rim. He has been using his body to shield off defenders and laying the ball up opposite side going to the basket with more consistency. He still struggles underneath going straight up, but at least he is being smarter about his moves.

- He does appear to have slimmed down the past month or so. He isn't back to pre-draft weight, but comparing his appearance from the Detroit game to the parade last year it is obvious he must be putting in more effort with his conditioning and strength training. Keep it up BBD. It will only make you better.

- He is on a hot streak again hitting shots from 18 feet. It is clear that it is mental for him. He doesn't have a pretty shot that is fundamentally sound, so it is likely he will be hot and cold. Lately he has been hot and it helps. It should really help when KG returns and he can hit those for the second unit vs. just helping replace KG's points.

All in all I think he has been progressing and maybe there is hope for him yet. I still would keep Powe of the two, but he is definitely narrowing the gap. Fortunately they are both playing much more consistent because we will need it come playoff time!

[Bankshot]

Nice of you to give BBD some credit.  He'd doing a really nice job.  I like that he is steadily improving his game... makes me believe he will just continue to get better.  I wouldn't take Powe over him as you would for that reason... I just think he will get better and better, while Powe really hasn't improved or added anything to his game since being in the league.

That being said, I really like both guys and hope we can hold onto both.  They each bring good things to the table.

[ManUp]

He's been playing well lately.

Now if he'd just do the same against the top teams.

He was a no show against Cleveland, and LAL.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Here you again EJ spreading some lies lol.

Anyways, pretty good post. About his jumpshot, his weight bothers him a bit in my opinion. That's why I wish that he would stop jumping on his jumpshot, as I don't think he gets a consistent lift on his shot. If I were him I'd leave my feet planted as long as I'm within my range... that's just me. Maybe when he gets into even more better shape, he'll have better control over his jump portion.

He's been playing well lately.

Now if he'd just do the same against the top teams.

He was a no show against Cleveland, and LAL.

Orlando doesn't count?

I think he can do OK against Cleveland, but overall he's not a good matchup against LA in my opinion. We'll see if we ever play them again.

[expobear]

I haven't been as hard on BBD as I have been in the past on TA, however I definitely have not been real happy with what he has brought us for most of the time he has been on our squad. I have noticed though some things that he has done recently that I wanted to compliment him on.

- He has been doing a much better job finishing at the rim. He has been using his body to shield off defenders and laying the ball up opposite side going to the basket with more consistency. He still struggles underneath going straight up, but at least he is being smarter about his moves.

- He does appear to have slimmed down the past month or so. He isn't back to pre-draft weight, but comparing his appearance from the Detroit game to the parade last year it is obvious he must be putting in more effort with his conditioning and strength training. Keep it up BBD. It will only make you better.

- He is on a hot streak again hitting shots from 18 feet. It is clear that it is mental for him. He doesn't have a pretty shot that is fundamentally sound, so it is likely he will be hot and cold. Lately he has been hot and it helps. It should really help when KG returns and he can hit those for the second unit vs. just helping replace KG's points.

All in all I think he has been progressing and maybe there is hope for him yet. I still would keep Powe of the two, but he is definitely narrowing the gap. Fortunately they are both playing much more consistent because we will need it come playoff time!

I like Powe too. Davis is definitely playing better and he is getting the bulk of the playing time during Garnett's absence. It seems as though Powe never gets the starting nod or substantial increases in playing time when somebody gets hurt. Is the writing on the wall for Powe?  I can't imagine the Celtics wanting to keep Powe after this year if they continue to play him sporadically, even after some injuries. His playing time has increased some but it's more out of necessity than merit, it seems. I have a feeling Davis stays and Powe is gone next year.

[EJPLAYA]

Here you again EJ spreading some lies lol.

Anyways, pretty good post. About his jumpshot, his weight bothers him a bit in my opinion. That's why I wish that he would stop jumping on his jumpshot, as I don't think he gets a consistent lift on his shot. If I were him I'd leave my feet planted as long as I'm within my range... that's just me. Maybe when he gets into even more better shape, he'll have better control over his jump portion.

You are quite a character BC!

I agree with the set shot. His herky-jerky motion in his shot make it difficult to repeat. If he'd shoot a Rasheed type shot he would be much more accurate. They are always wide open and it would make it easier on him. I have always felt he should keep his strength and lose the flab. Hopefully this is a good sign.

[spazmonkey]

I like Powe too. Davis is definitely playing better and he is getting the bulk of the playing time during Garnett's absence. It seems as though Powe never gets the starting nod or substantial increases in playing time when somebody gets hurt. Is the writing on the wall for Powe?  I can't imagine the Celtics wanting to keep Powe after this year if they continue to play him sporadically, even after some injuries. His playing time has increased some but it's more out of necessity than merit, it seems. I have a feeling Davis stays and Powe is gone next year.

I think Doc likes Powe off the bench b/c he's got some low-post game and draws a ton of fouls (offense when either or both PP & RA are sitting) and also b/c he grabs alot of boards (to offset what we miss when Perk's sitting). 

BBD might be a better fit to start in KG's and Scal's absence...to my eye, BBD makes better defensive rotations...and he very clearly stretches the floor with his jumpshot better than Powe.

[nickagneta]

TP4U EJ. I know that couldn't have been easy writing the OP.

Seriously though, you have been one of BBD's biggest detractors and for you to pay the man the compliments you did only means that he is indeed playing much better and looking much better.

[davemonsterband]

I don't see why he's getting praised because of the contrast created from playing like crap early in the season, he's exactly where we thought he'd be at the end of last season. Is for me, anyway. He's still frail and he's still overweight, both of which I'd rather replace regardless of circumstance.

[Toine43]

I've always preferred Powe, but now I'm definitely starting to see why a lot of people like Davis better. I've been very happy with the way he's played in KG's absence - I think this last stretch of games could end up being looked at as the turning point in his career. Like many Davis-backers forecasted, BBD has shown the ability to make improvements in his game while Powe has not. Still, the current version of Leon Powe is a servicable bench big. He doesn't have a diverse skill set, but he does what he does as well as any other bench big in the league. At the beginning of the season I assumed that one of the two would inevitably be gone after the season, but now I'm hopeful that the Celtics can keep them both, because they have proven this year that they can both thrive on the same team.

One thing I've always wondered is how the two would stack up against one another if Powe could hit a jumper. The jumper would do wonders for his post game, and it would give Doc more of a reason to put him in late in the 4th when the requirements for being in the game at power forward typically include the ability to spread the floor. The jumper is something Powe should try and work on, but sometimes I wonder if the criticism Powe receives for not adding a jumper to his game as BBD did is undeserving. There have been some rumblings that Powe can sink a 15 footer, but Doc just doesn't want him to ever take it.

Bottom line: Way to go Big Baby!

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

He's been playing well lately.

Now if he'd just do the same against the top teams.

He was a no show against Cleveland, and LAL.

And was a hero in the Orlando game, and played well against dwight howard

Orlando is a top team ( I know people like to leave them out of the conversation, for whatever reason to make us look worse against the top teams)

..and pretty much everyone was a no show in that last cleveland game

[ben]

I give Davis credit for having one of the worst roling rating on the team.  http://www.82games.com/0809/0809BOS.HTM

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

I give Davis credit for having one of the worst roling rating on the team.  http://www.82games.com/0809/0809BOS.HTM

and JR giddens has  the best.wooo

...not the time or place ...go discuss your negatives on BBD somewhere else...please
If you couldnt tell, this was a thread giving BBD credit, no?

Hes BEEN playing great RECENTLY...and has added elements to his game and is improving steadily as the season goes on

[xmuscularghandix]

I give Davis credit for having one of the worst roling rating on the team.  http://www.82games.com/0809/0809BOS.HTM

we really have somebody like this in EVERY thread thats created to talk about what a player does good, its awesome.

[RockinRyA]

I've always preferred Powe, but now I'm definitely starting to see why a lot of people like Davis better. I've been very happy with the way he's played in KG's absence - I think this last stretch of games could end up being looked at as the turning point in his career. Like many Davis-backers forecasted, BBD has shown the ability to make improvements in his game while Powe has not. Still, the current version of Leon Powe is a servicable bench big. He doesn't have a diverse skill set, but he does what he does as well as any other bench big in the league. At the beginning of the season I assumed that one of the two would inevitably be gone after the season, but now I'm hopeful that the Celtics can keep them both, because they have proven this year that they can both thrive on the same team.

One thing I've always wondered is how the two would stack up against one another if Powe could hit a jumper. The jumper would do wonders for his post game, and it would give Doc more of a reason to put him in late in the 4th when the requirements for being in the game at power forward typically include the ability to spread the floor. The jumper is something Powe should try and work on, but sometimes I wonder if the criticism Powe receives for not adding a jumper to his game as BBD did is undeserving. There have been some rumblings that Powe can sink a 15 footer, but Doc just doesn't want him to ever take it.

Bottom line: Way to go Big Baby!

i agree.. though i think powe should start on his freethrows frst. i mean, he draws lots of fouls, so a reliable freethrow is really a big boost to his game