At 325 pounds, weight is achilles heel for power forward
ORLANDO -- The Orlando Magic aren't going anywhere this season while the Los Angeles Clippers have a chance to come out of the Western conference for the NBA finals, which makes for a new lease on life for "Big Baby" Glen Davis, who is trying to make a good impression with his new team.
Davis was sucking wind in his 18 minutes and 32 seconds on the court Thursday night for the Clippers against the LA Lakers, another team going nowhere this season.
The Clippers easily disposed of the Lakers, 142-94, with Darren Collison, getting the start at shooting in place of the injured Jamal Crawford led the Western Conference leaders with 24 and Blake Griffin added 20. Chris Paul contributed 11 points with 13 rebounds. Pau Gasol led the hapless Lakers with 21 points in a game that was never close.
With a new lease on life in his NBA career, Davis had a pretty decent showing for the Clippers: 10 points on 5 for 7 shooting, two rebounds and one assist. And he took a charge to boot.
But if Davis has an achilles heel, it's his hefty weight, to say the least. The 6-foot 9-inch power forward weighs a whopping 325 pounds; hence the name "Big Baby," when he was coming out of LSU in being compared to the earlier Tigers alumnus, Shaquille O'Neal."
Still, Davis was pleased with his performance against the Lakers, saying: "I'm still trying to get a rhythm, still trying to find myself here as an important part on this team.
Davis and Indiana Pacers castoff Danny Granger are both late-season imports for the Clippers, though Granger lasted longer in the gem against the Lakers.
Granger logged 17:54 on the floor against the Lakers for 10 points as well, on 4 for 8 shooting, though he was 0 for 2 in three-point attempts against the Lakers.
Granger hasn't played much in the last two years while Davis has a lot of upside, if he could shed 20 to 25 pounds, an obvious factor in the Magic deciding to cut the veteran loose before the trading deadline and giving more playing time to younger players.
On Feb. 21, Davis and the Magic mutually agreed to a contract buyout. Three days later, Davis signed with the Clippers.
"They both looked good," Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said of Granger and Davis, adding of the ex-Magic player, "Baby's (Davis) lungs exploded at some point so we had to take him out."
"They both looked good," Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said of Granger and Davis, adding of the ex-Magic player, "Baby's (Davis) lungs exploded at some point so we had to take him out."
Davis is the lone member of Rivers' squad in L.A. with a ring from their 2008 championship season together with the Boston Celtics.
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