Glen “Big Baby” Davis, a forward from Louisiana State University, was selected with the 35th overall pick in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft. He was originally selected by the Seattle Supersonics, but was a part of the draft day deal that sent him and Ray Allen to the Boston Celtics. Now three years into his NBA career, Davis is a significant contributor on a team that has already won one championship and is challenging for another.
Glen Davis had a solid freshman season at LSU, posting averages of 13.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game with a .513 field goal percentage. At season’s end, he was named the Southeast Conference Freshman of the Year. He followed it with a great sophomore season in which he averaged 18.6 points and 9.7 rebounds; he was named the 2006 Southeast Conference Player of the Year.
In a powerhouse conference, Davis was making a big name for himself. He stayed at LSU for his junior season and averaged a double-double for the first time. Davis had his way in the post with his size, but his size worked against his athleticism. He entered the 2007 NBA Draft and was an early second round selection.
Entering the 2007-2008 season, Glen Davis earned a roster spot with the Boston Celtics. In the offseason leading up to his first year in the NBA, Davis reportedly dropped 30 pounds. From a high weight of about 340 pounds, Davis now weighs in at 298. He remains a force inside, but exhibits an impressive level of agility for a big-bodied power forward.
As an NBA rookie, Davis earned a moderate amount of playing time for the best team in the league. He shared minutes with Leon Powe and P.J. Brown as a backup at the center and power forward positions. Come playoff time, his minutes slipped as the Celtics’ rotation tightened, but he benefited by playing for a great organization by becoming an NBA champion in his rookie season.
Glen Davis enjoyed an expanded role in the 2008-2009 season. While he began the season playing limited minutes, he earned more and more playing time to the point where the Celtics began to trust him with major minutes. Davis frequently stepped into the starting lineup when injuries arose and in the second half of the season he became a double-digit scorer, averaging 12 points per game after the All-Star break.
With Kevin Garnett out for the 2009 NBA Playoffs, Davis became Boston’s starting power forward for the postseason. He stepped up his game and played the best basketball of his career, averaging 15.8 points and 5.6 rebounds. In game four of the eastern conference semifinals, Davis had his moment in the sun when he hit a last-second game-winning shot to beat the Orlando Magic.
Entering the 2009-2010 season, Davis was involved in a controversial injury in which he broke his hand while fighting with a friend and former LSU teammate. He was suspended and missed the first two months of the season after surgery. When he returned, he stepped back into a reserve role and had a solid season with averages of six points and four rebounds. As the Celtics won their division and made the playoffs, Davis is once again playing a major role for a championship contender. The Boston Celtics are facing off against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2010 NBA Finals with Davis playing 20 minutes per game.
