Orlando Magic Player Profile: Glen Davis
By Chris Lee
Sep 30, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward/center Glen Davis (11) talks to reporters during media day at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
Veteran Glen Davis is one of only two current Orlando Magic players (Jameer Nelson being the other player) who has played alongside former franchise cornerstone Dwight Howard. Davis brings leadership to the young Magic squad and has grown from a self-admittedly immature player to a true locker room leader that recognizes the importance of doing things the correct way. The best example of Davis’ improved maturity is the process with which he has dealt with his recovery from surgery to repair a broken bone in his left foot.
"“It’s so difficult [to be patient with the injury],” Davis said via Orlando Magic Daily. “It’s probably one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Especially those days when I walk in here and I feel like I can run and there is somebody telling me ‘You can’t do this, you can’t do that.’ It gets frustrating. But you understand at the end of the day what you are trying to accomplish. I just want to get back to the floor and get back to the game. As long as I can do that, I think it will be OK.”"
2012-13 Season Recap
The 2012-13 season started out fine for Glen Davis and the Orlando Magic. However, after a 12-13 record to start the season, Davis suffered a left shoulder sprain on Dec 21 that saw him miss 11 consecutive games. Prior to the injury, Davis was having a career year and was easily the Magic’s best player on both ends of the court. Davis was averaging a career high 15.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game for the Magic, while anchoring a top-10 defense without former Magic center Dwight Howard in the lineup.
Davis would return to action for the Magic on Jan. 14, but could not avoid the injury bug as he did not even make it out of January before suffering a season-ending broken bone in his left foot.
2013-14 Expectations
The offseason has been a fickle friend to Glen Davis. In July, Davis had to undergo a 2nd surgery on his left foot that saw him miss the entire training camp. This will at the very least force Davis to miss out on the entire preseason. Davis much like Aaron Afflalo and Jameer Nelson, has also been subject to trade rumors for the upcoming season.
Despite the trade rumors, Davis can be a valuable member to the Orlando Magic roster. Davis is still the Magic’s strongest interior defensive player and is one of the best help-defenders in the NBA. His ability to draw offensive fouls and bang with the bigger bodies in the NBA makes him a measurable mentor to both center Nikola Vucevic and power forward Andrew Nicholson. Davis’ 6’9” presence allows him to be one of the best screeners in the NBA and his ability to run the pick-and-roll provides another dimension to the Orlando Magic offense.
Prediction
Glen Davis could find himself in another uniform next season, but his own doubts about whether his foot will hold up during this upcoming season could make it difficult for another team to take a chance on Davis. Only Davis’ body and the Orlando Magic know what jersey he will be sporting next season.
"“It will never be the same,” he said glumly, glancing down at his foot via CBSSports’ Eye On Basketball."
Whenever Davis does return to the court, things will be different for him. Davis most likely will not be the starting power forward this season, with Tobias Harris taking over the power forward role in a similar exchange as LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. The most likely scenario is for Davis to be the backup center to Vucevic, with the 6’7″ Jason Maxiell taking the backup power forward role.