The Three Reasons Why Suddenly Glen Davis Performs

[Jammer]

I am starting a separate thread because I think this is a concise enough
and on target opinion to warrant it.

I was going to post this yesterday but didn't have the time or energy.
Some of it I already posted but I can't remember where.

It all emphasizes what is new, or different, and not already there when he "arrived."

The 3 differences for Glen Davis, which I believe have lead to his recent success, are:

1. Wyc Grousbeck stated last night that Glen Davis lost 25 pounds from when he arrived with the Celtics. Many of us felt that the 23 year old would ballon upwards in weight, and head the other way. This massive weight drop provides a quickness, energy level and lateral movement that Glen didn't have. I am not commenting on Glen's shortcomings here, just what's different. Sully mentioned this fact in the main thread on page 11 if you hadn't checked it.

2. As I mentioned in the main thread, Glen Davis has been shooting about 45 minutes before each game since he arrived, plus putting in lots of practice shooting. This has led to him developing an 18 foot jump shot that he didn't have when he arrived in Boston. Or at least, an 18 footer that he could reliably make. This is a new development, and as Tommy Heinsohn has repeatedly stressed all year, the key to Glen's future in the NBA. I always took notice in Tommy's unwavering belief that Glen could succeed in the NBA.

3. If you observe the moves that Glen does in the low post, the spins, ball handling and fakes;
they are right out of a classic film on low post moves, except now Glen has the quickness to execute them (due to dropping 25 pounds), and an outside shot that must be respected.
But when Glen Davis arrived in Boston he didn't have half the moves that he now has,
and just as important;
he couldn't execute them at anywhere near the speed that he now can.

Some things like his intelligence and basketball IQ were already there.
His dedication and commitment were questioned.
So far, he's proven a number of us wrong in terms of his dedication and improvement,
which coupled with his fast hands, make him somewhat effective of late.
Also, I'd swear Glen's vertical leap has improved, he wasn't dunking with the authority that he now does when he first arrived, but if you dropped a ten pound weight from each hand you'd jump higher too.

Glen still is undersized at around 6' 7 3/4" barefoot, with short arms,
but his new found athleticism (quickness, spin moves), shot and handles
give him skills to somewhat overcome the ability of larger, bouncier players to block his shot inside.

[greenbeans]

Just me, but it seems like a classic contract year run.

[cloverleaf]

Good post, Jammer. Where did you get that estimate of his height from? Thanks.

[Zin5]

A huge part of why he's playing so well imo is that he doesn't have to match up against centers exclusively anymore. The guy showed us last year what he could do from the 4 last year. Now that he's been getting some consistent minutes there he's looked solid, which finally gives credence to what Doc said when we drafted him that he would be exclusively a PF.

[Jammer]

Good post, Jammer. Where did you get that estimate of his height from? Thanks.

DraftExpress says that Davis has "an unofficial measurement that seems about right."

The unofficial measurement they list jives with what I've seen,
against players with known heights.

Celtic Players with official and two unofficial measurements on DraftExpress

Eddie House 5' 11.75"
Steph Marbury 6' 1"
Tony Allen 6' 3.5"
J. R. Giddens 6' 4"
Ray Allen (DraftExpress says has unofficial 6' 5" measurement that seems about right)
Paul Pierce 6' 6"
Glen Davis (DraftExpress says has unofficial 6' 7.75" measurement that seems about right)
Brian Scalabrine 6' 8.75"
Kevin Garnett 6' 11" (Age 19)

[Hemingway]

I'm sure his next contract gives him motivation, but having KG and Powe out gives him the opportunity. Hopefully he doesn't price himself out of what we will pay.

[Bad-Thoma]

Just me, but it seems like a classic contract year run.

This is just opinion, but BBD doesn't seem like a Blount-type "contract year" guy to me. He's been a hustler from the minute he stepped onto he court, diving after loose balls and such. Blount was a black hole when it came to ball movement and a stat padder, BBD has stepped up his aggresiveness as his execution has improved but if anything was too hesitant to take his shot earlier in the year. I think his head is in the right place.

[greenbeans]

Don't get me wrong, I love the guy.
I hope he stays in this grind it out mentality his whole career, I think if he keeps it up he's gonna have 10 years in the league easily. Having said that, I'm still very leery of giving a guy with that frame a long term deal at big money. Maybe if he takes 3-4per I'd feel safe giving him 4 or 5yrs, but I'm not sure he'll take that, and if he can get more elsewhere I don't blame him one bit, it's his first real payday, by nba standards that is.

[Bad-Thoma]

Don't get me wrong, I love the guy.
I hope he stays in this grind it out mentality his whole career, I think if he keeps it up he's gonna have 10 years in the league easily. Having said that, I'm still very leery of giving a guy with that frame a long term deal at big money. Maybe if he takes 3-4per I'd feel safe giving him 4 or 5yrs, but I'm not sure he'll take that, and if he can get more elsewhere I don't blame him one bit, it's his first real payday, by nba standards that is.

I can agree with that, if someone over pays him you got to pull a Patriots and say thanks for the memories, good luck where you land. I guess I'm still steaming at Mark Blount and compare all "contract year" comments to that douche.

[Dave_From_NB]

I believe the reason he suddenly started performing is the Jan 11 game in Toronto. Perk out, and Davis doesn't get the start at Center, Scal does. Davis goes 1 for 12, and is behind Scal and Powe in rotation as Big the next night. I believe the light bulb turned on, and he realized that his ranking as a player was below Scal, who to that point hadn't done much either. Contract year, playing behind a guy who didn't play for the Celtics in the playoffs last season, lots of discussion everywhere about the Celtics need to get a Big for the playoff run.

Everyone in the NBA has a ton of athletic talent, I think the good players are able to play with just more effort and intensity than the average or borderline player. IMO that Jan 11 game was the kick in the ass Davis needed to bring the extra effort that is now paying off for him.

[billfromBoston]

Glen Davis doesn't play in the low post - when he's in the paint its off of shot-fakes created by his face up game - Doc's biggest criticism of Davis has been directly related to Davis' decisions to go into the paint - in ISO or in the post he is not effective scoring inside. He relies on his defender being out of position so he can shoot the lane and use his momentum to attack the help defender. This is by the numbers, its not arguable. His higherst efficiency finishing in the paint is off cuts, P&R, and shot-fakes in that order. He is a face up player right now and will likely need to continue to slim down if he wants to have a chance at building a post game - almost no undersized 4's have one in the entire league, so its not like its a necessity.

Other than that, there is nothing surprising about what you wrote above. Davis worked on his jumper and has lost some weight - he also came into camp this year behind the team's targeted conditioning marks, so he's played himself into shape through the course of this year - he's noticeably more fit now than he was in TC.

Davis' needs for physical improvement and his lack of a defined go-to game with which to build off of was always going to slow his development. Successful NBA players find their footing when they establish a base game and then expand off of it. Davis was all off-ball last year - P&R, Cuts, O-boards - this year he has added the face-up shot and has begun to build his options off of it - this is how its done.

[humblebum]

Agreed Jammer, Bill...

I still think that the Celtics, as Wyc pointed out, have a dollar value on Glen given his mid- to long-term role with the club. I doubt it would exceed 3-4 million per, certainly they won't pay Glen more than Perk, which demonstrates the importance of Perk taking that contract. It sets a good precedent for Davis, Powe, etc. in terms of what their value should be for this team. They could both be offered contracts outside the Celtics value determination, and if so Danny and co. will likely let either or both walk. That's the business side of things and the smart way to run a team.

In terms of Davis' game, you can see that the face up game will eventually become quite diverse. Davis is smart and crafty, he possesses good quick feet and strength to manuever around and through opponents. All the while keeping them off-balance and on their toes with the threat of the mid-range shot. Teams must now respect his offense and that makes it very difficult to defend the Celtics.

Now when Powe gets back healthy, and hopefully KG is in good shape, the team will have the ability to play the matchups and situations, giving opponents different looks. The team is poised for a long playoff run and a lot of it will depend on the contributions from Davis and Powe.

[Jammer]

Glen Davis doesn't play in the low post - when he's in the paint its off of shot-fakes created by his face up game - Doc's biggest criticism of Davis has been directly related to Davis' decisions to go into the paint - in ISO or in the post he is not effective scoring inside. He relies on his defender being out of position so he can shoot the lane and use his momentum to attack the help defender. This is by the numbers, its not arguable. His higherst efficiency finishing in the paint is off cuts, P&R, and shot-fakes in that order. He is a face up player right now and will likely need to continue to slim down if he wants to have a chance at building a post game - almost no undersized 4's have one in the entire league, so its not like its a necessity.

Other than that, there is nothing surprising about what you wrote above. Davis worked on his jumper and has lost some weight - he also came into camp this year behind the team's targeted conditioning marks, so he's played himself into shape through the course of this year - he's noticeably more fit now than he was in TC.

Davis' needs for physical improvement and his lack of a defined go-to game with which to build off of was always going to slow his development. Successful NBA players find their footing when they establish a base game and then expand off of it. Davis was all off-ball last year - P&R, Cuts, O-boards - this year he has added the face-up shot and has begun to build his options off of it - this is how its done.

All I can say is I watched a couple of Bill Walton videos, and the set of moves he listed as low post moves (which can be utilitzed farther out) pretty much matched exactly what Davis has been doing the past few games. I'm not referring to cuts or pick and rolls, I'm talking about receiving the ball with the back to the basket, facing up, or in the lane. Davis' moves seemed identical to the set of moves that Walton was emphasizing in his instructional video.

[celticfan42487]

Glen is becoming a decent rotational big man. At the right time for the Celtics and his contract.

He could improve further next year, but I think it's just as likely he could end up preforming about the same as this year [up and down, starting out down].

Given a choice I'd like to keep Powe over Davis. Powe can't shoot, but I'd trust him to stay consistent after getting paid. That said, unless we magically find a Center [praying for Rasho] Glen Davis may be much more valuable for the Celtics then Powe this offseason.

It would be tragic if we lost both bigs during the offseason.. I'm not sure who we could take that...

My I wish Eddie House was on a one year contract instead of the stupid over the market 2 year. House is amazing this year, absolutely amazing. But in the end replaceable and not worth the lack of flexibility that 2 year contract he signed for.

[humblebum]

Jammer, I'd agree that the fundamentals are there. And he'll get better in the post, especially if he's able to develop the fall away jumper. But his bread and butter is the face up game, and he'll build most of his offense off that skill.

At the same time, I think it would be silly to discount the possibility that Davis develops a solid interior game. Intelligent players find ways to overcome perceived weaknesses. If Davis develops a consistent fall away, hook shot, etc. he can then develop a counter to that move. If he really works at it he'll be able to develop shots over both shoulders which would make him tougher to defend.

So ya, I hear what you're getting at Jammer, but I think he has quite a ways to go to develop into the consistent threat that he is right now with his mid-range game.

[GuyClinch]

This is just opinion, but BBD doesn't seem like a Blount-type "contract year" guy to me. He's been a hustler from the minute he stepped onto he court, diving after loose balls and such. Blount was a black hole when it came to ball movement and a stat padder, BBD has stepped up his aggresiveness as his execution has improved but if anything was too hesitant to take his shot earlier in the year. I think his head is in the right place.

He seems like a Walter McCarty type to me. Remember how Waltah went a whole offseason without TOUCHING a basketball and admitted it.. There is ALOT MORE to work ethic then on the court hustle.

He is playing more up to the level he should be at now they he has lost a few pounds. But he is still a spot up shooting, poor defending big, with crappy rebounding skills. I hope he does "price" himself out of the C's range with his play. We will miss him a heck of alot less the Posey. I have zero confidence in him pulling out some clutch big time performance in a playoff game..

[sully00]

The guy is a 2nd round pick in his second season on a non guaranteed minimum contract every minute of his NBA life has been for a contract.

[AlCelticFan]

Yeah, I think the "contract year" stuff doesn't make much sense. Everyone in their second year in the NBA is in the same shoes. They need to do their best to perform.

[return2glory]

I love the way BBD is playing. I'm really happy for him. If anyone saw him play at LSU, you could see he had talent. He has worked hard to lose weight. He has also worked hard in improving his outside game. BBD is a hard worker and a player that cares about the game. I hope we will re sign him.

[MyInsatiableOne]

Wow, I was gone all weekend, and now I come back to find Glen Davis has written the book on low post moves...Kevin McHale who?

He is what he is...and I don't see how the OP can claim there are no worries about his work ethic when he came into camp this season heavier than last season and has taken basically all but the last month of the season to play himself into shape....mini-Shaq, indeed. Like I said before, the guy's attitude seems to be that he won a ring as a rookie and this NBA thing ain't so tough...