Davis taking baby steps to become NBA big man

LAS VEGAS - From afar, the big-man tutorials often look like two guys nudging each other around the paint.

In actuality, Boston Celtics assistant coach Clifford Ray is instructing rookie Glen "Big Baby" Davis on everything from drop steps to the value of explosiveness, to the mental aspect of NBA games. When the pair leaves the gym long after the rest of the Celtics' summer league team, it is clear Glen Davis has found a mentor.

Then, again, it was an obvious choice. Players such as Boston's Al Jefferson, Orlando Magic power forward Dwight Howard and Chicago Bulls center Ben Wallace credit Ray with helping their development. Ray sees potential in 6-foot-9 Glen Davis and knows all the small steps needed to become a legitimate NBA big man.

With proper instruction, the Celtics hope Glen Davis can become another second-round success story, following the lead of Ryan Gomes and Leon Powe. Before that can happen, Glen Davis understands he must learn from Ray and others and must keep his weight in check.

"[Ray] does know what he's talking about," Glen Davis said. "You just kind of listen to him. ... He's just trying to make me the best player I can be."

After observing Glen Davis in the summer league opener and more than a half-dozen practices, Ray says the rookie first should work on his explosiveness. To do that, Glen Davis must continue to lose weight and improve his conditioning. His weight fluctuates from 289 to 295 pounds. He hopes to arrive at camp at 280 and play from 280 to 285.

"The difference between college and professional ball, especially for a college big, is being able to explode," Ray said. "Right now, his explosiveness in the game is not there, but you see it in flashes. When he starts to work, like now, he's going to shed 2, 3, 5, maybe 8 pounds. That's going to contribute to him [being more explosive]."

Glen Davis doesn't shy from discussions concerning his weight, though he declines to tell how heavy he became at Louisiana State. He knows his larger incarnation, along with his decision to remain at LSU for his junior season, probably cost him a spot in the first round. Glen Davis said he received promises from a teams to pick him in the first round but that those teams bypassed him.

"When that happened, it was every man for himself, survival of the fittest," Glen Davis said. ... "Boston knows what I can do, knows what my potential is. I'm a loyal guy. For them to give me a chance and have 30 other teams pass me up, my everything from now on is for the Boston Celtics."

With statements like that, and an engaging personality, Glen Davis appears destined to become a fan favorite. But to gain favor within the organization, Glen Davis must continue building on the strengths he exhibited at LSU, where he led the Southeastern Conference in rebounding (10.4 per game) as a junior.

After the Celtics finished 20th in the league in rebounding (40.35 per game) this past season, they can use any player who provides a presence on the boards.