BBD's Fruitless Hustle (revisited)

[Kuberski33]

BBD needs to learn to up fake -- as Tommy pointed out the other nght.  Also he's a pretty good mid range shooter, but the problem there is when they pair him with Sheed, someone needs to play inside. 

Also I think BBD has short arms, which doesn't help in terms of ability to finish.  Plus the league has more tape of him so they understand how to play him a bit better than in the past.

I think we're seeing now why no one gave him a significant offer this past off season.  Still, especially where we get to watch Sheed do this 'thing' on a nightly basis, I appreciate a guy who's at least trying hard to help the team win games.

[jdub1660]

That tip-dunk against Washington blew my mind. I actually stood up off my couch and said "wow". I've seen him dunk before, but it takes lift and timing to do that. To me, it proves 2 things.

1. He's a smart offensive rebounder. The timing, the planning.All good for him to plan his jump through taller guys.

2. He has the ability to get up there. But he's still too bulky. If he wants to play many years in this league and make more than Scal money, then he's gotta tone up. He's a PF, not a C. Lose the flub so you can make more plays like that and stop getting your post shots stuffed by PGs.

[Greenbean]

Its funny how Charles Barkley, Adrian Dantley and others could be on the low post at 6'5" or so and excel.  I like davis getting the rebounds but he hasn't worked enough to take most shots he does.  As many have stated he needs to kick the ball out to our group of shooter, pp, ray, kg, sheed the list goes on and on.  Doc needs to explain to him he's nearly the last option.   That isn't a knock, Daniels is nearly last option when he's on the court and he lets offense come with flow of game.
Perk has improved every year, I am not sure if people remember how bad he was.  He can be a black hole on offense but what he has is single coverage with space.  I love his jump hook and have no problem with him taking it.
Davis can take pick & pop jumpers and an occassional running hook/layup.  Besides that I only want him playing within the TEAM GAME.
No mention of davis' putback dunk ? who knew he had the hops?

Dantley had alot of moves, had inside scoring touch and was lankier than BBD. Barkley was a freight train of an athlete especially in his earlier years.

Glen just isnt that skilled offensively and not that athletic.

What BBD can do is shoot, which we are missing out on this year, and hustle his butt off. He has boundless energy and there is alot to be said for that.

He really is the perfect big off the bench if utilized properly.

Davis is 6'8 or so.  Dantley was 6'5.  And not very athletic either, at least in the 2nd half of his career.  He just had a knack, and a huge butt that he would create space with.  Baby should watch some tape of these guys, because he should have sufficient butt to do some Dantley style stuff down there.

TP! sufficient butt...classic

The onyl thing Baby doesnt have that Dantley had is touch though. Dantly had all kinds of flip shots, hooks, and just overall great feel for finishing around the rim.

You are right though, Baby should be able to carve out PLENTY of space.

[hpantazo]

I still don't understand why Doc plays Davis instead of Shelden. Shelden can rebound better and finish much, much better, and would be a better compliment to Sheed in the second unit. The reason can't really be defense either, since Shelden is as good or better defensively than Davis.

[Evantime34]

I still don't understand why Doc plays Davis instead of Shelden. Shelden can rebound better and finish much, much better, and would be a better compliment to Sheed in the second unit. The reason can't really be defense either, since Shelden is as good or better defensively than Davis.

I think it is defense, not on the ball defense, but Baby makes better rotations.

A perfect example of why I like and don't like Big Baby came against Washington. He was the only Celtic under the hoop and grabbed a board with 3 Wiz around him (why more Celtics don't crash the glass is beyond me). Then he became surrounded and eventually got blocked.

After getting blocked so much his first reaction needs to be to try to get the ball out to reset the offense. If he can't do that he should call a timeout.

[bballee]

As far as kicking it out, he should certainly be looking to do that more, though in games like last night's, he was being swallowed-up by four blue shirts and NO ONE in green was rotating to help out or try to get open ... in other words, he was given no choice but to go back up with it.

Doesn't being surrounded by four opponents imply that only one is left to cover Big Baby's teammates--leaving three of them open?

I think the needed adjustment is for Davis to recognize when he is double, triple, or quadruple teamed and find the open teammate.  If there is no "clear blue sky" find someone who does have it.

[Bahku]

As far as kicking it out, he should certainly be looking to do that more, though in games like last night's, he was being swallowed-up by four blue shirts and NO ONE in green was rotating to help out or try to get open ... in other words, he was given no choice but to go back up with it.

Doesn't being surrounded by four opponents imply that only one is left to cover Big Baby's teammates--leaving three of them open?

I think the needed adjustment is for Davis to recognize when he is double, triple, or quadruple teamed and find the open teammate.  If there is no "clear blue sky" find someone who does have it.

Yes, it implies that there are team-mates who are open, but when you're surrounded by three or four defenders, you're left with very few options, and passing the ball to someone else is usually NOT one of them ... you either get swallowed up and the ball taken from you, or you can go straight up and try to get a basket. I've seen him do this a few times of late, when there was pretty much no way he was going to get the ball to another guy in green, and his best/only option was to try and shoot or lose the ball/get it tied up for a jump-ball. Now, I've seen KG do the same thing, in fact the other night he had more shots blocked than Glen, but when HE does it, there is very little criticism ... seems to be a double-standard here, and as with Doc, different rules apply to the "young guys" on the bench. Big Baby and Ray were the only two players who had ANY kind of energy against the Wizards, and I was extremely thankful for it by the end of the game.

[Redz]

As far as kicking it out, he should certainly be looking to do that more, though in games like last night's, he was being swallowed-up by four blue shirts and NO ONE in green was rotating to help out or try to get open ... in other words, he was given no choice but to go back up with it.

Doesn't being surrounded by four opponents imply that only one is left to cover Big Baby's teammates--leaving three of them open?

I think the needed adjustment is for Davis to recognize when he is double, triple, or quadruple teamed and find the open teammate.  If there is no "clear blue sky" find someone who does have it.

Yes, it implies that there are team-mates who are open, but when you're surrounded by three or four defenders, you're left with very few options, and passing the ball to someone else is usually NOT one of them ... you either get swallowed up and the ball taken from you, or you can go straight up and try to get a basket. I've seen him do this a few times of late, when there was pretty much no way he was going to get the ball to another guy in green, and his best/only option was to try and shoot or lose the ball/get it tied up for a jump-ball. Now, I've seen KG do the same thing, in fact the other night he had more shots blocked than Glen, but when HE does it, there is very little criticism ... seems to be a double-standard here, and as with Doc, different rules apply to the "young guys" on the bench. Big Baby and Ray were the only two players who had ANY kind of energy against the Wizards, and I was extremely thankful for it by the end of the game.

KG was getting blocked after making some moves in the low post.  I know I was fairly critical of KG's game (I think it could well have been his worst as a pro).  But while it's certainly not a good thing to have your shot blocked when you're making a post move, it's a different scenario then when you get the ball off an offensive rebound.  You are in a different position.  Usually an opportunity either presents itself immediately, or you get swallowed up because you're too near the hoop.  Besides his dunk putback, Baby did not try to put the ball back up immediately.  He tried to reposition himself and got himself into deeper trouble. 

It takes quick decision making.  Either put it right back up, or look for a better option.

[Kuberski33]

Does BBD have another year on his contract or is he a free agent after this season? 

[MBunge]

Now, I've seen KG do the same thing, in fact the other night he had more shots blocked than Glen, but when HE does it, there is very little criticism

Sometimes, you're just gonna get your shot blocked.  It happens.  The complaint about Davis is that he's constantly getting his shot blocked trying to do the same thing over and over again.  It's not entirely his fault because playing with Sheed seems to have changed the flow of the offense to where Davis is not getting those 17 ft jumpers and he's left to play inside.  But if you know you're prone to getting your shot blocked inside, you have to adjust your game.
  
Mike

[Bahku]

As far as kicking it out, he should certainly be looking to do that more, though in games like last night's, he was being swallowed-up by four blue shirts and NO ONE in green was rotating to help out or try to get open ... in other words, he was given no choice but to go back up with it.

Doesn't being surrounded by four opponents imply that only one is left to cover Big Baby's teammates--leaving three of them open?

I think the needed adjustment is for Davis to recognize when he is double, triple, or quadruple teamed and find the open teammate.  If there is no "clear blue sky" find someone who does have it.

Yes, it implies that there are team-mates who are open, but when you're surrounded by three or four defenders, you're left with very few options, and passing the ball to someone else is usually NOT one of them ... you either get swallowed up and the ball taken from you, or you can go straight up and try to get a basket. I've seen him do this a few times of late, when there was pretty much no way he was going to get the ball to another guy in green, and his best/only option was to try and shoot or lose the ball/get it tied up for a jump-ball. Now, I've seen KG do the same thing, in fact the other night he had more shots blocked than Glen, but when HE does it, there is very little criticism ... seems to be a double-standard here, and as with Doc, different rules apply to the "young guys" on the bench. Big Baby and Ray were the only two players who had ANY kind of energy against the Wizards, and I was extremely thankful for it by the end of the game.

KG was getting blocked after making some moves in the low post.  I know I was fairly critical of KG's game (I think it could well have been his worst as a pro).  But while it's certainly not a good thing to have your shot blocked when you're making a post move, it's a different scenario then when you get the ball off an offensive rebound.  You are in a different position.  Usually an opportunity either presents itself immediately, or you get swallowed up because you're too near the hoop.  Besides his dunk putback, Baby did not try to put the ball back up immediately.  He tried to reposition himself and got himself into deeper trouble. 

It takes quick decision making.  Either put it right back up, or look for a better option.

Putting it right back up is exactly what he does quite often, but if he's surrounded by defenders, one or two or more of which are taller than he is, then he's going to get blocked from time-to-time, like everyone else does. There have been many instances of late when Glen was the ONLY one hustling or even attempting to position himself for a weak-side rebound, and I just don't get how that can translate into something negative. If nothing ELSE, fighting your butt off for the ball, (whether it's blocked or turned over or NOT), sets an example and standard for the rest of the team, (especially when they're standing around with their hands at their sides), and supplies an influx of energy that's contagious. I think if any of the coaching staff were asked, they would say the same, that hustle and hard work is NEVER a bad thing. Again, JMHO.

[Bahku]

Now, I've seen KG do the same thing, in fact the other night he had more shots blocked than Glen, but when HE does it, there is very little criticism

Sometimes, you're just gonna get your shot blocked.  It happens.  The complaint about Davis is that he's constantly getting his shot blocked trying to do the same thing over and over again.  It's not entirely his fault because playing with Sheed seems to have changed the flow of the offense to where Davis is not getting those 17 ft jumpers and he's left to play inside.  But if you know you're prone to getting your shot blocked inside, you have to adjust your game.
  
Mike

Well, "constantly" would be an error, because the fact is that he's also scoring and making passes, (along with 4 RB/G, he's averaging 6 PPG and 0.8 APG, despite small minutes - 12 points against Philly), and doing so while being asked to defend taller opponents. I mean, the guy's only 6'9" and a Forward, yet constantly expected to play at Center, so he's at a disadvantage already. I think for his ability and what he's asked to do, he produces much more than he detracts.

[Redz]

As far as kicking it out, he should certainly be looking to do that more, though in games like last night's, he was being swallowed-up by four blue shirts and NO ONE in green was rotating to help out or try to get open ... in other words, he was given no choice but to go back up with it.

Doesn't being surrounded by four opponents imply that only one is left to cover Big Baby's teammates--leaving three of them open?

I think the needed adjustment is for Davis to recognize when he is double, triple, or quadruple teamed and find the open teammate.  If there is no "clear blue sky" find someone who does have it.

Yes, it implies that there are team-mates who are open, but when you're surrounded by three or four defenders, you're left with very few options, and passing the ball to someone else is usually NOT one of them ... you either get swallowed up and the ball taken from you, or you can go straight up and try to get a basket. I've seen him do this a few times of late, when there was pretty much no way he was going to get the ball to another guy in green, and his best/only option was to try and shoot or lose the ball/get it tied up for a jump-ball. Now, I've seen KG do the same thing, in fact the other night he had more shots blocked than Glen, but when HE does it, there is very little criticism ... seems to be a double-standard here, and as with Doc, different rules apply to the "young guys" on the bench. Big Baby and Ray were the only two players who had ANY kind of energy against the Wizards, and I was extremely thankful for it by the end of the game.

KG was getting blocked after making some moves in the low post.  I know I was fairly critical of KG's game (I think it could well have been his worst as a pro).  But while it's certainly not a good thing to have your shot blocked when you're making a post move, it's a different scenario then when you get the ball off an offensive rebound.  You are in a different position.  Usually an opportunity either presents itself immediately, or you get swallowed up because you're too near the hoop.  Besides his dunk putback, Baby did not try to put the ball back up immediately.  He tried to reposition himself and got himself into deeper trouble. 

It takes quick decision making.  Either put it right back up, or look for a better option.

Putting it right back up is exactly what he does quite often, but if he's surrounded by defenders, one or two or more of which are taller than he is, then he's going to get blocked from time-to-time, like everyone else does. There have been many instances of late when Glen was the ONLY one hustling or even attempting to position himself for a weak-side rebound, and I just don't get how that can translate into something negative. If nothing ELSE, fighting your butt off for the ball, (whether it's blocked or turned over or NOT), sets an example and standard for the rest of the team, (especially when they're standing around with their hands at their sides), and supplies an influx of energy that's contagious. I think if any of the coaching staff were asked, they would say the same, that hustle and hard work is NEVER a bad thing. Again, JMHO.

I do get that.  I truly appreciate the hustle, and I wish we had more guys busting tail like that, I'm just getting a little confused about the balance between hustle and productive hustle.  It's like the hamster on the wheel.

[Who]

I still think Glen Davis could be a cross between Udonis Haslem and David West if he dropped 40lbs.

[Redz]

I still think Glen Davis could be a cross between Udonis Haslem and David West if he dropped 40lbs.

That would be a hell of a player!