The Spark We Need

[Evantime34]

With the Celtics recent struggles a lot of people think that we need to get younger, stop taking so many threes, rebound better or do a variety of other things differently.

NBA basketball is an extremely long endeavor, teams will go through very good and very poor basketball in the same season. At this point I believe what the Celtics need is a spark.

A lot of people view a potential spark as a piece we could get in a trade or signing a vet like Iverson. I think the only thing that will get us out of this slump is, youth. The infusion of younger players into the lineup will be the point when things take off for the C's this year.

The run of strong play we are all waiting for will come with the Return of Big Baby. KG's legs are getting tired by the end of games. Big Baby should come back allowing KG to rest. Sheed will benefit from a second team post player that can actually score in the post (all apologies to the Land Lord), so will Eddie. Ball movement will increase in the second unit. Eventually Ray and the truth should also see their playing time decreased in the same way KG's should be when BBD comes back, in order to increase their production when they are in the game. If we play KG, Ray and Pierce less minutes they will play better in the minutes they do play.

[twinbree]

I doubt Baby can solve all our woes but he'll definitely bring us some energy off the bench. House hasn't been consistent energy wise so far and the other bench players are pretty low key.

I honestly don’t understand why Big Baby doesn’t make us unbeatable. How players are not hesitant to crash the boards, drive or defend when Baby is in the vicinity is beyond me. Staying focused when there’s a 300 pound man leaping with abandon all over the court is not for the faint of heart. I know I’d wilt away quickly whenever he was subbed in.

[moiso]

Spark is a good description of Big Baby.  He doesn't have the skills of Rasheed or the rebounding ability of Shelden, but Baby does something that those two don't- infuse energy and get players and fans fired up. I really think people are underestimating this aspect of Baby's contribution.  He has a great motor and I think it will have a nice positive impact on the team.

[pearljammer10]

Baby won't solve our needs. With Sheldon Williams surprise play I'd rather have him getting the minutes anyway and use Baby as trade bait.

[Evantime34]

I feel that people seriously underestimate Davis' rebounding ability. Like many wide body players he is a very good offensive rebounder. His numbers might not show this last season because of the way he was used. It is near impossible to get an offensive rebound if you are taking deep jumpers. People were frustrated with his rebounding numbers last year, but I think that was a product of the offensive system more than anything.
Once Baby is back and better than ever (due to the lost weight), people will stop making the outlandish Shelden Williams is better comments, hopefully it will also end the trade a young big man signed to a very reasonable contract comments.

[Change]

Baby won't solve our needs. With Sheldon Williams surprise play I'd rather have him getting the minutes anyway and use Baby as trade bait.

People have short memory. Sheldon will never be the player Glen is.

[Evantime34]

Baby won't solve our needs. With Sheldon Williams surprise play I'd rather have him getting the minutes anyway and use Baby as trade bait.

People have short memory. Sheldon will never be the player Glen is.

Agreed, TP.

[scoop]

I'm not sure Davis will make us better. If he eats Williams minutes, I doubt it: we're already faltering on the rebounding department and that would only aggravate the situation.

[crownsy]

Baby won't solve our needs. With Sheldon Williams surprise play I'd rather have him getting the minutes anyway and use Baby as trade bait.

People have short memory. Sheldon will never be the player Glen is.

Agreed, TP.

What exactly makes davis such a world beating bench player, and difference maker?

This is the third thread like this arguing that glen davis returning and getting 10 minutes a game will end the funk and take us from very good team back to championship favorite.

can the Op explain to me why? the other threads sure didn't.

[More Banners]

For this to make any sense, KG would have to be playing a lot of minutes and need a rest. 

He's getting around 30-33 minutes a night.  That's not much.

I don't see how BBD helps with perimiter defense, which seems to be the most significant issue at the moment.

[wiley]

don't know how many rebounds Davis will get himself, but he'll certainly help decrease the other team's rebounding numbers with his girth.  For example, Baby will keep Josh Smith out of the lane and another Celt will sneak in for the rebound.  We need his girth (and energy) and I think there'll be plenty of minutes for him...

[Who]

I do think the bench is short on energy/hustle right now.

Hopefully, Glen Davis can provide some more of that. Give the starters a little extra burst of life every now and again. We'll see.

[ssspence]

Baby won't solve our needs. With Sheldon Williams surprise play I'd rather have him getting the minutes anyway and use Baby as trade bait.

People have short memory. Sheldon will never be the player Glen is.

Agreed, TP.

I’d argue it’s your memory that’s short. Davis success and growth as a player came when he was transitioned to a starting role on a top team. You won’t know what Sheldon could be until he gets that opportunity with such players (the Pierces and Allens of the NBA).

I think Glen is a solid and energetic player. But to put him in a whole different category when he’s clearly deficient to Sheldon in a key category for a reserve – rebounding – seems a little strong.

[QuinielaBox]

Why not Brian Scalabrine (serious)?

or Tony Allen (shoot me)?

[EJPLAYA]

I feel that people seriously underestimate Davis' rebounding ability. Like many wide body players he is a very good offensive rebounder. His numbers might not show this last season because of the way he was used. It is near impossible to get an offensive rebound if you are taking deep jumpers. People were frustrated with his rebounding numbers last year, but I think that was a product of the offensive system more than anything.
Once Baby is back and better than ever (due to the lost weight), people will stop making the outlandish Shelden Williams is better comments, hopefully it will also end the trade a young big man signed to a very reasonable contract comments.

You know guys, the numbers might not reflect it, but RONDO is an amazing outside shooter. It's not his fault, it was the way he is used. I mean come on, who would put him in a position to take a wide open 15 footer?! It's not his fault the numbers don't reflect what an amazing gift the guy has. His shooting and BBD's rebounding are a product of our system, nothing more…