Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
He had 17.9 percent of his shots swatted away, according to the number-crunching advanced metrics website, hoopdata.com.
Davis used that fact, of course, for motivation. You’ve got to learn from that,’’ Davis said. “That’s not a good stat.’’
He looked at undersized power forwards such as Corliss Williamson, who played below the rim and excelled for 12 seasons in the league, winning a title in 2004 with the Detroit Pistons. This season, Davis’s percentage of shots blocked has dived to 5.2, while his field goal percentage has jumped from 43.7 to 49.8.
“The motivation is to get better, to learn how to finesse it, make sure that you don’t get your shot blocked,’’ Davis said. “Use your body, make sure they can’t get to your shot.’’
“He’s finishing a lot better,’’ Rivers said. “He gets in those stages where he tries to draw fouls. We tell him to make the big do his job. If they’re going to block your shot, let them block your shot. Just try to make the basket.
“Last year, the double pumps and falling backwards trying to draw fouls, no ref was going to call [that]. This year he’s just going in hard through people and he’s trying to make the layup, and if they call it, it’s a 3-point play. I think it’s a better focus, and it’s better for him.’’
Globe - Davis rejects that notion
I wouldn't think Corliss Williamson would be a role model for anyone hoping to achieve elite status in the NBA, but whatever Glen Davis did (and is doing) is working.
His desire for rebounding the ball is remarkable. He attacks the basket voraciously (insert food analogy here). And now that he's figure out how to get the shot off, he's become a viable scoring threat down low.
If he keeps up this evolution, I don't see why he can't be this team's power forward of the future.
Related link: ESPN Boston - Big Baby's big plays
On Page 2, the reality show that is the Celtics.
“We definitely have personalities,” coach Doc Rivers said. “I mean, we are a reality show, literally.”
In one corner of the dressing room, Shaq could be talking about anything from flagrant fouls to global nuclear disarmament.
Thursday night in Philadelphia, Davis said after his 16-point performance with an incredulous look:
“How does Big Baby do it? How does he do it?”
Marquis Daniels discussed how one of the ballboys looked like Adam Sandler.
Paul Pierce smiled and shook his head.
Herald - Focused Celtics having a ball
Like we've said many times this season, as long as this team continues to win, the personalities and fun-loving nature won't be a problem.
While we're only 22 games into the season, I'm going to go public with something I told John the other night... I'm convinced this team is winning the championship. They're too good, too deep and too focused.
The rest of the links:
Globe - Bobcats thumbnails | ESPN Boston - Flipping switches | CSNNE - Injuries make for strange combos |