Big Baby' a larger version of Udonis?

MIAMI - Glen "Big Baby" Davis, the charismatic power forward from Louisiana State University, strolled confidently into the Heat's interview room Tuesday.

Glen Davis, who is 6-foot-10, looked remarkably trim, about 70 pounds lighter than the 360 pounds he once carried. But his personality remains expansive, possibly even bigger than when the nation got to know him in spring 2006, when he was a sophomore in the Final Four.

As soon as he sat at the podium Tuesday, he mumbled into the microphone, a humorous imitation of his low-talking friend, Heat center Shaquille O'Neal, another former LSU Tiger.

NBA teams considering Glen Davis in the June 28 draft undoubtedly have been impressed by his charm and ability - he has good hands and quick feet and passes well - but they have one big worry.

"It was the weight,'' said Glen Davis, who is expected to be drafted late in the first round or early in the second. "Everybody knows I can play. Everybody knows I have skills. It's just, 'If we pay this guy all this money, is he going to eat his way out of the league?' '' That's a question for Miami, too. The Heat, which could use a back-up power forward, will pick 20th in the first round, which would be considered high for Glen Davis. Miami will pick again at No. 39 in the second round, and Glen Davis will likely be gone by then.

Some draft experts think that Davis, who averaged 17.7 points and 10.4 rebounds as a junior last season, would be a good risk at No. 20.

"I don't think 20 is outlandish for him,'' said Chris Ekstrand, former editor of the NBA Draft Guide and a columnist for SI.com.

Davis, who got his nickname because he used to cry in pee-wee football, said he is sure he can control his weight. He said he has plenty of incentive because he wants to provide for his family. But he still pokes fun at himself and his game.

"This is what I have to do until I'm wealthy enough that I can have Big Baby Enterprises, and my kids' kids can be like Paris Hilton and them,'' he said. "But not in jail.'' LSU assistant coach John Treloar said he was amazed when he saw recently how Davis had changed his body.

"It's such a dramatic difference,'' Treloar said. "You see it in his face.'' Heat forward Udonis Haslem, who weighed as much as 300 pounds when he played in Florida, had a similar transformation. He played professionally in France after college, losing about 60 pounds in the process, and has remained very fit in four seasons with the Heat.

At the other end of the spectrum is former NBA player Robert "Tractor'' Traylor, who struggled with his weight at Michigan as well as in the NBA. Traylor, who was drafted sixth overall in 1998, had a heart condition unrelated to his weight, but is out of the league in part because he couldn't stay in shape.

Glen Davis said he understands teams' concerns.

"I'm really touchy on the subject because a lot of people before me have not paved the way as far as eating right and staying in the league,'' he said. "But I'm different.'' That's true in many ways. Glen Davis probably would have drafted in the middle of Round 1 had he come out in 2006. As a sophomore he had averaged 18.6 points and 9.7 rebounds, the first player to lead the Southeastern Conference in both categories since O'Neal in 1991.

But Glen Davis said he wasn't ready. He said O'Neal helped persuade him to come out this spring.

"He said, 'You're ready. I think you can play at the next level; it's time to go,''' Davis recalled.

Glen Davis had his smile working right alongside his one-liners for the media gathering Tuesday, including one description - which bordered on mildly offensive - of how he used to look in a tank top. Nevertheless, it went over well in mixed company.

If he can similarly charm a suitor June 28, he could be a draft-day surprise.