Glen Davis has become more important to the Celtics every single year, and could very well break out this season with increased minutes while an aging KG will need some time off. He has shown that he has the ability to play extremely well in clutch situations, and has become a fan favorite for his intensity, and high level of energy and emotion on the court, as well as his ability to outmuscle taller big men in the paint. Like with Nate Robinson, this energy and determination on the court often leads to a rally of Celtics’ points, and he is always willing to put himself on the line for his team, as we saw every time he went up against Dwight Howard’s lethal elbows in the Conference Finals. Now that he is playing alongside a true center in Shaquille O’Neal, and not the perimeter-prone Rasheed Wallace, Big Baby is going to be a big part of a powerhouse bench in Boston.Bringing in Shaq will help Davis bring his game to the next level in two very basic, but important ways. First, Shaq will be hanging out near the paint at all times, taking up space, getting blocks, and pulling in rebounds. This takes a lot of pressure off of Big Baby to be the big man down low, as he was when Rasheed would so often play lazy and out of position. The two big former LSU men with similar playing styles will complement each other both on offense and defense, and will make up what is probably the best backup 4 and 5 combo in the NBA. These guys should be able to outmuscle and box out opposing players all season long, while contributing large amounts of points, rebounds, and opportunities for other guys to score. Second, Baby may be more excited than anyone else in Boston about the acquisition of Shaq since he is an idol of sorts to Davis, who attended O’Neal’s camp as a kid and was introduced to LSU’s coach by the Louisiana State alumnus. Shaq and Baby will work well together on the post, and O’Neal will be able to help Davis really develop his game and learn to use his size for maximum effectiveness. These guys will work backup big men around the NBA, and I am eager to see the huge calm and collected veteran helping the younger and more intense Big Baby become as good as he can be.
Boston’s bench is very versatile, and they will stretch out defenses as they have the ability to both dominate in the paint and from outside of it. Although Baby’s shot is not the prettiest thing in the world, the guy can heat up, and he is definitely not limited to only scoring from right under the hoop. Big Baby has shown that he can score against some of the best defenders in the league,
and by working with Doc Rivers, as well as Shaq to improve his post moves, and Garnett to improve his jump shot, I believe Davis can become as effective in the NBA as he was in college. He brings a lot to the table, not only in terms of points, but in energy and charisma as well, and he helps complete a Celtics’ bench that will be feared all season and post season long. Depth is key to success, and with an ever improving Big Baby at PF, the Celtics have a lot of it. Still remaining for Breaking Down the Bench, small forwards and how to back up The Truth.
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