New team, same role problems for Big Baby

January 24, 2012, 10:30 am

BOSTON -- Coming out of the game's first timeout, a song began to play over the Garden loudspeakers.

Then, a Glen Davis highlight reel flashed onto the Garden JumboTron. Here was the moment Davis had been waiting for: his video tribute.

For more than 30 seconds, all eyes were on the screen, as highlights of charges taken, shots made, and celebratory moments were shown of Davis' time in Boston.

But where was Davis? He wasn't heading out onto the court with his teammates. Instead, he emerged from the bench -- in his warmup suit -- to wave to a crowd that was standing and cheering for him. Davis pumped his fists, and smiled from ear to ear . . . at least for that moment.

Then, it was back to the bench for Baby, a place he never wanted to be on the Celtics -- never accepted.

When free agency came, Davis wanted two things: a bigger contract and a bigger role. The Celtics weren't willing to give him either.

Now almost a month into the lockout-shortened season, Davis is still trying to find -- or perhaps accept -- how he fits with the Magic.

"I don't know. I don't know yet," Davis said. "I'm in the same situation I was here [in Boston], coming off the bench. Only thing I know is that, um… I got paid a little bit more money. So, like I said, it's a process, it's a system I have to get used to. Then I don't know. I know what I'm supposed to do. But I don't know yet, I'm still searching."

Sure sounds like the same Big Baby that Celtics fans pulled their hair out over.

Davis finished the game with six points and 11 rebounds in 24 minutes. Brandon Bass, the player the C's got in return in the Davis sign-and-trade, tied Paul Pierce with a game-high 19 points to go along with eight rebounds in 34 minutes.

You certainly don't hear Bass wondering what his role is with the Celtics, the one he essentially took over from Davis.

But with the emergence of Ryan Anderson at power forward for the Magic, it's deja vu for Davis, who still longs for the spotlight.

"I'm looking for everything -- a different role, more money," he said. "One for two."

Sounds about right.

Tags: Glen Davis, Boston Celtics, orlando magic, jimmy toscano