Big Baby likes starting, getting out of Garnett’s shadow

[stb]

Doubt if anyone ever had a more appropriate nickname...

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/20/big-baby-likes-starting-getting-out-of-garnetts-shadow/

[Celtics4ever]

That is a pretty long shadow.  I do not think he has the ability to step outside that shadow but who can argue with Stan "the Man" Gundy?

[BballTim]

  Not to defend Baby, but his point is something to think about when we don't get the free agents we hope for, at least in part because they won't play an overly large role with the big three on the team.

[Roy H.]

Red's Army did a great job comparing and contrasting some of BBD's quotes, showing he "misremembered" his time as KG's backup:

"My whole career, I was playing behind KG, and I don't think people really were able to see what I can do," Davis said in an interview with FOX Sports Florida. "The times that I didn't have to play behind KG, I did a great job. Now, I'm (with the Magic), and I have an opportunity to be a starter, and I'm just embracing the moment."

"I got out of myself and tried to be something else," Davis said." That's not how it works. You have to be yourself. Play the same way you play, do the same things you do. Yeah, I probably had a couple good games, but as for an all-around game, the way I know I can play, I didn't bring it. Now, being on the bench, you're back to the same mentality, just going out there and being you.

"It's all mental, you know? It's the way you approach the game, and I was kind of too hard on myself when I was starting. Being hard on myself, I didn't play in that relaxed flow... That's what I do when I come off the bench, I just go out there and play. I kind of put a lot of pressure on myself, stuff like that."

So, which was it, Baby?  When you were the starter, did you do a "great job"?  Or was it a situation where you "didn't bring it"?

I think Baby sucked as a starter, and I think he'll suck in Orlando as a starter, too, if that's the role they're misguided enough to give him.

[greenpride32]

I'm going to have to agree with BBD that he played well when he started here.  Anyone remember the 2009 playoffs (the year KG was out)?  I'm not quite sure why the fans were so quick to turn on him; he's been one of better bench players the past few years; may in fact been the best one.

[Moranis]

Red's Army did a great job comparing and contrasting some of BBD's quotes, showing he "misremembered" his time as KG's backup:

"My whole career, I was playing behind KG, and I don't think people really were able to see what I can do," Davis said in an interview with FOX Sports Florida. "The times that I didn't have to play behind KG, I did a great job. Now, I'm (with the Magic), and I have an opportunity to be a starter, and I'm just embracing the moment."

"I got out of myself and tried to be something else," Davis said." That's not how it works. You have to be yourself. Play the same way you play, do the same things you do. Yeah, I probably had a couple good games, but as for an all-around game, the way I know I can play, I didn't bring it. Now, being on the bench, you're back to the same mentality, just going out there and being you.

"It's all mental, you know? It's the way you approach the game, and I was kind of too hard on myself when I was starting. Being hard on myself, I didn't play in that relaxed flow... That's what I do when I come off the bench, I just go out there and play. I kind of put a lot of pressure on myself, stuff like that."

So, which was it, Baby?  When you were the starter, did you do a "great job"?  Or was it a situation where you "didn't bring it"?

I think Baby sucked as a starter, and I think he'll suck in Orlando as a starter, too, if that's the role they're misguided enough to give him.

what was the context of the quotes?  I mean it is quite possible that the January quote was in relation to a small stint as a starter, whereas in December he was referring to the time when KG was out for extended periods of time (like the playoffs in 09).  Without more context you can't just automatically say the statements are contradictory.

[Roy H.]

I'm going to have to agree with BBD that he played well when he started here.  Anyone remember the 2009 playoffs (the year KG was out)?  I'm not quite sure why the fans were so quick to turn on him; he's been one of better bench players the past few years; may in fact been the best one.

In 13 games last year as a starter, BBD's scoring rate, rebounding, and FG% all went down.  Rebounding, in particular, dipped significantly.  BBD played okay in 2009, but more recently, he's struggled in that role.

[Trifecta]

Good for him, I hope he does well in his new role in Orlando. But we know who he is and he's going to be matched up against KG if we meet in the playoffs, so he's not really going to be an issue.

[Spilling Green Dye]

I hope he is happy in Orlando and finally gets an opportunity to start.  Starting is obviously something he's really wanted to do for awhile now, so good for him for pursuing it.

However, when he was here, the was a direct relationship between his minutes & productivity.  The more minutes he got, the less efficient he became.  Davis was most productive at 12 minutes or less per game, and coming off the bench.

If Orlando starts him and plays him 30 min a game I think they will regret it.  But ya never know.

[RyNye]

Unfortunately, we needed to get rid of him, because he didn't fit the role that we needed out of a bench player. Yes, he played well in the first third of last year, but the statistics show he just wasn't efficient enough for what he did.

That said, I wish him well in Orlando. It would be great if the Bass/Davis trade was beneficial to both parties, and if Baby were to mature a little as a starter and get his game together.

[mgent]

  Not to defend Baby, but his point is something to think about when we don't get the free agents we hope for, at least in part because they won't play an overly large role with the big three on the team.

Exactly.  I could not believe people were making fun of TA for his shadow quote.  It's clearly a real thing, and apparently something multiple players worry about.  "Going from Pierce's shadow to OJ Mayo's," they said.  Yeah right....

Of course Baby's situation is a little different because he's not nearly as good as Tony and belongs in someone's shadow.

[Fafnir]

  Not to defend Baby, but his point is something to think about when we don't get the free agents we hope for, at least in part because they won't play an overly large role with the big three on the team.

Exactly.  I could not believe people were making fun of TA for his shadow quote.  It's clearly a real thing, and apparently something multiple players worry about.  "Going from Pierce's shadow to OJ Mayo's," they said.  Yeah right....

Of course Baby's situation is a little different because he's not nearly as good as Tony and belongs in someone's shadow.

Given that Baby had a chance to play nearly 30 MPG I think his idea of getting out of KG's shadow is amusing.

Tony it at least makes some sense as He could get around 24 minutes at most because Ray/Pierce use up most of the minutes at the 2/3.

[hpantazo]

  Not to defend Baby, but his point is something to think about when we don't get the free agents we hope for, at least in part because they won't play an overly large role with the big three on the team.

Exactly.  I could not believe people were making fun of TA for his shadow quote.  It's clearly a real thing, and apparently something multiple players worry about.  "Going from Pierce's shadow to OJ Mayo's," they said.  Yeah right....

Of course Baby's situation is a little different because he's not nearly as good as Tony and belongs in someone's shadow.

Given that Baby had a chance to play nearly 30 MPG I think his idea of getting out of KG's shadow is amusing.

Tony it at least makes some sense as He could get around 24 minutes at most because Ray/Pierce use up most of the minutes at the 2/3.

I agree. Davis also started for us often enough including in playoff games, and there were many nights were he took as many shots as anyone else on the team, so I don't know what he's talking about.

[stb]

Players should be concerned with doing whatever it takes to win, not pad their stats.  We don't need fantasy players on this team.  I would have traded him for a ham sandwich just to get his attitude out of the locker room.

[Fafnir]

Players should be concerned with doing whatever it takes to win, not pad their stats.  We don't need fantasy players on this team.  I would have traded him for a ham sandwich just to get his attitude out of the locker room.

This is something I agree with, but I understand why players think about their own careers and future contracts.

In our jobs we look for our own advancment as well as the success of the team.