Celtics give ex-LSU star mixed reviews
Glen Davis has yet to show his offensive ability in the summer league.
LAS VEGAS — If being a good rebounder and passer is enough, former LSU star Glen "Big Baby" Davis might hustle his way onto the Boston Celtics' opening day roster next fall.
The scoring ability he showed for the Tigers has yet to manifest itself in his early days as a pro, however.
In his first two games in the NBA's summer league in Las Vegas, Glen Davis pulled down 15 rebounds. Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Glen Davis also is seeing the floor and passing well.
As for Glen Davis' shooting during that same span? He was 2-for-15 from the field.
"I think he goes too fast offensively sometimes, but I don't think that's anything we didn't expect," Rivers said. "We want him to keep working to get better."
At LSU, the 6-foot-9 Glen Davis became the only Tigers player other than Shaquille O'Neal with career totals surpassing 1,500 points, 900 rebounds and 100 blocks. Glen Davis was an AP second team All-America selection during the 2005-06 season, when LSU went to the Final Four.
He averaged 17.7 points and 10.4 rebounds last season, missing several games late in the year because of a strained quadriceps.
He then decided to skip his senior season in Baton Rouge, hoping to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft last month.
Those hopes were dashed when he wasn't picked until early in the second round, 35th overall, by Seattle, which then traded his rights to Boston.
Being a second-round pick means Glen Davis will not receive a guaranteed contract unless he earns a spot on a regular season roster.
"I'm just trying to adjust and execute the way coach wants me," Glen Davis said. "He's teaching me what to do and what not to do. I have to play my role and not always look to score."
Assistant Coach Clifford Ray, a former NBA center, has been working with Glen Davis. After Monday's game, when most of the Celtics' players were on their way out of the arena, Ray was still instructing Glen Davis.
"Clifford is going to stay focused on him," Rivers said. "I can't think of having a better guy around him."
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