Baby went to the bottom of my favorite Celtic list today

[mmbaby]

Baby's poor, first starting gig yesterday's game has nothing to do with maturity. It was simply a bad game. I give him leeway for time to get used to it again. It was only his first game starting this season. He was prob. nervous and trying to do too much, as Tommy said.

[Fafnir]

the fact is that davis is EASILY a starter on many other NBA playoff teams.

This is probably true, if only because there are some really bad playoff teams (i.e., 12-18 Milwaukee).  Of the teams over .500, though, I'm not sure he could start.

6. Knicks -- Gallinari > BBD
5. Atlanta -- Josh Smith > BBD
4. Orlando -- Bass = BBD
3. Chicago -- Boozer > BBD
2. Miami -- Bosh > BBD
1. Celtics -- KG >> BBD

8. Blazers -- Aldridge > BBD
7. Hornets -- West > BBD
6. Nuggets -- Harrington = BBD
5. Utah -- Millsap > BBD
4. OKC -- Green > BBD
3. Lakers - Gasol > BBD
2. Dallas - Dirk > BBD
1. Spurs - Blair = BBD

I think the guys in the same range as BBD are Bass, Harrington, and Blair.  Looking at those guys -- Link -- they're all pretty close.  Blair is by far the best rebounder, and BBD ranks the worst.  Bass and Harrington are the best scorers, with Blair worst.

So, in terms of playoff teams that are over .500, I'm not sure that BBD could "easily" start for any of them, but there's a chance he'd start in Orlando and Denver, I think.  (I think San Antonio likes Blair's rebounding.  I could see Orlando sticking with Bass, too, since he's been the more productive player.)

Regarding BBD vs. David West, West kills him in terms of points per minute, assists per minute, and eFG%.  West has a slight lead in rebound rate, too:  Link.

Of course, under normal circumstances, we don't need BBD to play as a starter.  As a backup power forward, he's excellent, so long as he plays within himself.  His consistency has made major strides this season.

I don't know if I'd put Gallinari ahead of Davis. It really depends on your system. If you're a halfcourt/defensive minded team then it's Davis. If you're a uptempo team then it's Gallinari.

Gallinari isn't a PF on a Mike D'Antoni team, he'd be a C. So his competition on that team would be Amar'e...

[Spicoli]

Davis is a chucker. He never looks to pass. Classic case of a guy not knowing his own limitations. He tries to go one on one against players that he has no business going one on one against. I remember the game against the Sixers when he tried to go one-on-one against Elton Brand, and got his shot stuffed back in his face like 3 or 4 straight times. He keeps trying to go at players even though they are stuffing him over and over and over again.

[mmbaby]

I disagree; Baby passes a lot and often.
This game he was looking to make a name for himself (too early) and it backfired upon him.
BTW
Happy 25th Birthday, Big Baby!!
May your golden year, 1-1-11, be your best yet.

[PosImpos]

the fact is that davis is EASILY a starter on many other NBA playoff teams.

This is probably true, if only because there are some really bad playoff teams (i.e., 12-18 Milwaukee).  Of the teams over .500, though, I'm not sure he could start.

6. Knicks -- Gallinari > BBD
5. Atlanta -- Josh Smith > BBD
4. Orlando -- Bass = BBD
3. Chicago -- Boozer > BBD
2. Miami -- Bosh > BBD
1. Celtics -- KG >> BBD

8. Blazers -- Aldridge > BBD
7. Hornets -- West > BBD
6. Nuggets -- Harrington = BBD
5. Utah -- Millsap > BBD
4. OKC -- Green > BBD
3. Lakers - Gasol > BBD
2. Dallas - Dirk > BBD
1. Spurs - Blair = BBD

I think the guys in the same range as BBD are Bass, Harrington, and Blair.  Looking at those guys -- Link -- they're all pretty close.  Blair is by far the best rebounder, and BBD ranks the worst.  Bass and Harrington are the best scorers, with Blair worst.

So, in terms of playoff teams that are over .500, I'm not sure that BBD could "easily" start for any of them, but there's a chance he'd start in Orlando and Denver, I think.  (I think San Antonio likes Blair's rebounding.  I could see Orlando sticking with Bass, too, since he's been the more productive player.)

Regarding BBD vs. David West, West kills him in terms of points per minute, assists per minute, and eFG%.  West has a slight lead in rebound rate, too:  Link.

Of course, under normal circumstances, we don't need BBD to play as a starter.  As a backup power forward, he's excellent, so long as he plays within himself.  His consistency has made major strides this season.

I don't know if I'd put Gallinari ahead of Davis. It really depends on your system. If you're a halfcourt/defensive minded team then it's Davis. If you're a uptempo team then it's Gallinari.

Gallinari isn't a PF on a Mike D'Antoni team, he'd be a C. So his competition on that team would be Amar'e...

Gallinari plays SF and PF for D'Antoni.  I don't think he's really played center at all.

If you mean Glen, then yeah, D'Antoni would probably play him at center.

[clover]

Baby's poor, first starting gig yesterday's game has nothing to do with maturity. It was simply a bad game. I give him leeway for time to get used to it again. It was only his first game starting this season. He was prob. nervous and trying to do too much, as Tommy said.

His pouting at the end of the bench after his disastrous 3, slamming the door and storming out from the post-game locker room, do lend some credence to those who saw immaturity in his selfish play.

[GreenEnvy]

I think BBD is just confused right now. I don't know how much attention he pays to the media/fans, but I think he buys into his own hype instead of staying within his limits. His midrange game has improved, and although it is barely any arc and still worries me, it goes in.

But he should NEVER be taking three's. KG - obviously a much smarter player - never goes that deep (except end-of-clock, desperation attempts) even though he is a significantly better midrange shooter.

To say I was upset with that 3pt-attempt would be an understatement, but it was what it was. What worried me more was his defense on the very next play that put the game out of reach. Within seconds he cost us a possession and then two points. Every player misses shots, but to break down on defense like that is inexcusable.

I understand BBD wears his heart on his sleeve, but he has to control himself, especially on the court and when taking criticism from his coaches or veteran teammates.

I could see this being a wakeup call for him (although I thought him speaking up during training camp and getting called out for it was a wakeup call, apparently not) OR it escalating to the point where he either gets traded or loses his spot in the rotation and ultimately isn't brought back next season.

He is an energy bench player. He is not Dirk, so he needs to stop replicating his game. No thanks on the contested long jumpers he seems to be falling in love with. He really can't create his own shot at all. He can't put the ball on the floor nor can bang inside. But he can get open for uncontested jumpers or easy buckets, and he can grab offensive boards.

But he is gonna be the odd man out soon enough anyway, so if we can weather the storm now until the ASB when we have 4 legit bigs, we will be ok with BBD getting spot duty where he can return to his actual role.

[pearljammer10]

I dont know if anyone has mentioned it, but I think Jermaine should be starting at power forward when KG is out. Keep Baby in his role off the bench which he seems to be most comfortable with. He doesnt have to pressure himself to carry too much of a load and it can keep him in his rhythm and in his role.

[mgent]

I dont know if anyone has mentioned it, but I think Jermaine should be starting at power forward when KG is out. Keep Baby in his role off the bench which he seems to be most comfortable with. He doesnt have to pressure himself to carry too much of a load and it can keep him in his rhythm and in his role.

I thought about this and I think it would be a good idea.  It would give JO a chance to find a role.  Also if Baby's gonna be playing hero ball, I'd rather him be stealing shots from Semih/Wafer/Bradley than our starters.

[radiohead]

It was nice to see Baby play with more control today. I have been highly critical of his performance last game (too much hero ball as doc says) but will be the first one to admit that he had a marvelous performance today. 8 assists?! Keep it up Baby. Just play your role and you'll be fine.

[Roy H.]

Tonight was a great effort by BBD.  I think he really got the message that he was forcing things and taking too many shots.

I mean, is there any doubt that the 8 assists is due to the criticism he received last game?  His previous season high had been 4 assists; in the other 30 games this year, he had had 2 assists or fewer.  In other words, this wasn't the normal BBD we were seeing. 

I'm glad he responded to criticism in a positive way, rather than pouting.  He deserves major kudos; learning from one's mistakes is a sign of maturity, and BBD seemed to learn from his in a big way.

[Bankshot]

I knew he would get it back at some point.  Players have bad stretches.  Good players bounce back.

[Bankshot]

Just had a thought.  Anyone else think Baby might be working on his range?  A lot of his shots have seemingly been out of his range and up to a few games ago he was making those shots.  I just remember a couple of years ago when fans were hating on him for taking all those jumpers in the regular season.  Then we find out Doc wanted him taking those jumpers and it paid off in the postseason.  

I just wonder if he is working on his range.  I know some of the shots have been bad, but for the most part, they have been good shots in the flow, he's just seemingly taking too many long range ones.  It just seems that every year he is working on something.

[vinnie]

He stopped playing hero ball and doing what he is supposed to do

[Bankshot]

He stopped playing hero ball and doing what he is supposed to do

I'm not sure if you're responding to me, but Baby wasn't in a slump the whole season, just for a few games.  Even when he was playing well, he was taking and making longer range jumpers, just inside the 3 pt line, he was just looking bad now because he wasn't making them (and throw in a bunch of bad decisions to boot and you have a slump). I just wonder if his range is something he's been working on.  He does work on something every season.