Glen Davis: Celtics are my number one priority
Glen Davis goes back and forth more than a tennis ball. He flip-flops more than Tevas. So when he says re-signing with the Celtics is his number one priority in free agency, I take it with a grain of salt. (Boston Globe)
“Most definitely, that’s my No. 1 priority – see if I can come back here and play,’’ he said. “And if I can’t, go somewhere else.’’
His words were tamer than they were in May, when it appeared Davis had grown tired of coach Doc Rivers’s treatment.
“I think in a lot of situations you have to air things out,’’ said Davis, who because of the NBA lockout cannot have contact with the Celtics front office. “Especially with a player that’s growing. You’ve got to talk and clear things up, and I think that time will come whenever the opportunity comes. I’m just trying to focus on working out.’’
Playing-wise, Davis would help the Celtics. Forget for a second that he ended last season playing (and looking) like a beached whale. Forget for a second the gripes with Doc Rivers, and the iffy shot selection at times, and the amount of weight he reportedly gained during the middle of last season. The Celtics need big men like a Diabetes patient needs insulin. Jermaine O’Neal is their only current center, and if he plays more than 60 games next season, church bells will ring in every Massachusetts city. The Celtics will have very little cap space to sign capable bigs, but if the new CBA resembles the old one, they could extend beyond the cap to re-sign Davis.
That said, signing him would be a risk. As a reasonably-talented big man who can play two positions, finished fourth in the Sixth Man of the Year voting (I know — shocking), plays two ways (most of the time) and possesses championship-level experience, Davis will likely command a sizable contract. And maybe he’s earned it. But if you’re the Celtics, do you feel comfortable spending a significant portion of your (extremely valuable) cap space on an overweight, underheight whiner who clashes with Doc Rivers and averaged only 4.9 points and 3.6 rebounds (while shooting 39.1%) in the playoffs? Neither would I. Save the cap space for 2012, pray for a superstar (Dwight Howard, anyone?), or settle for solid free agents (aka: please, don’t spend money on any Travis Outlaws) — even if that means losing more games next season.
So, yeah, Glen Davis said he wants to remain a Celtic. He also said he wants to go somewhere Glen Davis can be Glen Davis, and I assume he wants to go somewhere Glen Davis can be paid. Sometimes, it’s mutually beneficial to part ways. This might be one of those times.
Or, then again, maybe not.
P.S. — Davis said he’s interested in signing overseas.
Related posts:
Celtics Blog, News & Notes | Jay King | August 3, 2011
Nice flip-flop in your own post Jay. Finishing fourth in the Sixth Man of the Year voting was terrible, as he played himself out of the award from January on. Before he’s resigned, and maybe he gets only a one year deal or two max, the Cs need to see what kind of shape he is in as his wt will determine whether he is all talk and more of the same bs or a changed man. Hopefully, he has dropped at least 40 lbs and is in better shape than ever. With no season on the horizon there’s plenty of time to get on the program and show that his words are not just bloated air but that he got the ‘message’ of last season’s weak effort and is making the effort in the gym thereby showing maturity and a level of respect heretofore not seen from him. I hope we get a new and improved Davis, as he could very well be the Sixth Man for years to come. Go Cs…
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
The Celtics needs 2 stop bouncing Glen Davis around either your going 2 keep him or not, stop playing do ur job. i would not want happening 2 a son of mine….keep it real ppl..
Like or Dislike:
2 
2
Please, Jay. This guy was poison to the team last season, especially during the playoffs, and his weight issues are likely to make him the next Oliver Miller. Unless he volunatrily goes to fat camp and team building workshops, I wouldn’t want to see his fat sorry ass back next season. If they sign him, I hope it’s to trade him.
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
What is wrong with you? It’s disgusting how quick people will turn against someone. Big Baby stuggled this post season, WE KNOW THAT. That doesn’t sum up his entire career. He’s a solid player with a lot of hustle, he puts so much effort into his game. Maybe he and Doc but heads at times but we all know Doc is a tough guy and pretty straight forward, he’s butt heads with pretty much everyone but that it’s not that dramatic. Its not a shock that he was in the running for 6th man, he probably would have gotten it if he’d stayed consistent, but there’s no need to dwell on that. I believe in Baby, he’s always there to inject some energy when the other guys are struggling so the C’s would be stupid to give him up
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
4 
0
Big Baby has already seen his best playing days. I personally don’t want to see a big blob with an attitude problem on the C’s next year.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0