Dale Davis: Winning Will Make It Better
By Jason Fleming
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Mar 11, 2004, 07:26 Email this article
Printer friendly page
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_7553.shtml
Jason Fleming
Basketball News Services
For anyone who has followed the NBA over the past 15 years many names have come and gone, many stars have sparkled and faded, but through it all has been Dale Davis. He has been a model of consistency and toughness, but these days Davis has been relegated to bit part coming off the bench of the Portland Trail Blazers. Double D may not like it, but he is taking the changes in stride and is still positive he can contribute to the team.
Davis has the numbers and the experience that would make many players jealous. He can look back on a career that is in its thirteenth season spanning two cities - Indianapolis and Portland. He has been an All-Star (in 2000), played in the NBA Finals (where he played Shaquille O'Neal as well as anyone can expect, also in 2000), and he can count legends like Reggie Miller, Mark Jackson, Scottie Pippen, and Arvydas Sabonis among his past teammates.
Three times Davis led the Atlantic Coast Conference in rebounding while a Clemson Tiger. He was picked number 13 overall by the Pacers in 1991 and helped form the core - with Antonio Davis, Reggie Miller, and Rik Smits - of a Pacer team that was one of the most consistent in the Eastern Conference in the 1990's, outside of Michael Jordan's Bulls. He is the Pacers' all-time leader in field-goal percentage and rebounds; his name is plastered all over their record books in both of those categories as well as in the rankings for blocked shots and double-doubles - he isn't called Double-D for nothing.
"My Main Concern Is Trying To Win Games"
In his career Davis has been fairly durable, missing a few games here and there with injuries typical to his tough brand of play; little things like a sore back or a sprained ankle. Despite that, Indiana pulled the trigger on the trade that sent him to Portland for Jermaine O'Neal after their NBA Finals appearance. Unfortunately for Dale, that trade worked out extremely well for Indy and only decently for the Blazers. At the time it was a good deal for both sides but many fans don't remember that: To them Davis is a symbol of the Bob Whitsitt Era of impatience and indulgence and some hold Davis, however wrongly, partially responsible for O'Neal's phenomenal growth outside the reach of the Blazers.
Despite all of that Davis came to Portland and did what he always did, what he has always known: Played like a warrior. He tore down rebounds, leading the team in glass cleaning the previous three seasons. He brought his trademark stare which can bore into opponents and referees alike. He also brought a big smile and helps facilitate friendly camaraderie, something much needed in a Blazer lockerroom rampant with controversy the past few seasons. In three years as a starter for Portland he averaged 7.8 rebounds a game, something key to the Blazers' success.
This season has been a huge change for Davis, one he wasn't prepared for and has blindsided him. After starting the season in his normal role as the Blazers' number-one center Davis became a casualty of the phenomenal development of Zach Randolph and the team's desire to have both Rasheed Wallace and Randolph on the floor at the same time. When Darius Miles was brought in from Cleveland Portland had another piece to work into the puzzle, and that piece meant Dale was the odd man out. For the first time in many, many seasons Davis found himself in a bench role.
When Portland traded Rasheed Wallace, it didn't exactly make things better - in fact, it may have made them worse. Instead of just Wallace and Randolph, Davis found himself looking at the backs of Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Theo Ratliff as well as Randolph. Davis' role seemed to be growing smaller and smaller.
Talking with Davis it's evident he's frustrated with all the changes and his reduction in playing time. The 5.2 points and 5.8 rebounds a game he averages - which are skewed because he did start 37 games this year - are career lows. He's not doing anything different - he still fights for loose balls, he still hustles after rebounds, and earlier this season even ran the fast break a couple times. His skills are still there, so it's not a matter of whether his age (35) is catching up to him. It's just a matter of too many guys and too few minutes in Portland.
"I don't really have a choice, you know?" Dale Davis told Basketball News Services. "Basically I just need to figure out a way to keep helping to contribute. At this point we're fighting for the playoffs so anytime I get the opportunity I have to just go out and help this team win."
Davis doesn't come off as angry when he says these words - it's more matter of fact, like he has accepted things as they are and will adapt to whatever role he needs to take. Not many people could do that with the history Davis has, but he's managing. There was talk before the trade deadline he had asked to be moved - completely understandable considering he could make a difference on some other teams who need a big man and are fighting for a playoff spot. General Manager John Nash told him he wouldn't be traded just to be traded though, and no deal that benefited the Blazers showed up.
Asked about moving, Davis seemed noncommittal. He acknowledged he still wants to contribute to a team, but he also thinks everything in Portland can work out. The attitude was more along the lines if it happens, it happens, and if not that would be just fine too.
"At this point I'm not really worried about it," Davis said. "I'm here at least for the rest of the season anyway - I have another year on my contract. I'm not even looking ahead or really thinking about that at this point. My main concern is trying to win games and getting into the playoffs."
One might think that with the reduction in his role Davis might carry a grudge against the coaching staff that could be perceived as holding him back, but that's not true - he and coach Maurice Cheeks have a pretty good relationship and they talked when Rasheed Wallace was traded about the expectations for Davis and how he was going to fit in with the new players. Davis was clear it was a positive talk and there is nothing to rumors he's been a bit miffed at the coaching staff and the front office for not getting him into a different situation he could possibly contribute to a little more.
"We talked," Davis said. "His main thing was figuring out a way to make everything work. There were some changes made and I think he's done a pretty decent job of trying to make things work and trying to develop a certain consistency for each player. That's what he's still working on.
"We're on the same page, no question about it. You know, I would like to be out there more, but when I'm out there I do what I can to help this team win. At this point, like I said, we're fighting for that spot and it's going to take every effort from everyone to make that happen."
It all comes back to the playoffs for Dale Davis. Only once in his career - the 1996-97 season with Indiana - has Davis not played in the playoffs and he didn't like that. Making the playoffs is important to him, and to the team as a whole.
The numbers have dropped drastically. He hasn't scored ten points in a game since January 11th. He hasn't topped double digits in rebounds since January 20th. Davis has only reached the 30-minute point in a game twice since that same game. In fact, he hasn't scored more than five points in over a month - February 8th he scored nine.
As he said though, he is trying to make the most of the limited minutes he gets backing up Ratliff, Randolph, and Abdur-Rahim. And if the playoffs come, how would that make things Dale? Easier?
"Yeah, that would make life a whole lot easier," Davis smiled, the smile of a man who really is at peace with himself.
Jason Fleming writes for the NEWS@Hoopsworld team for the Central Division. Questions or comments? Email him!
By Jason Fleming
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Mar 11, 2004, 07:26 Email this article
Printer friendly page
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_7553.shtml
Jason Fleming
Basketball News Services
For anyone who has followed the NBA over the past 15 years many names have come and gone, many stars have sparkled and faded, but through it all has been Dale Davis. He has been a model of consistency and toughness, but these days Davis has been relegated to bit part coming off the bench of the Portland Trail Blazers. Double D may not like it, but he is taking the changes in stride and is still positive he can contribute to the team.
Davis has the numbers and the experience that would make many players jealous. He can look back on a career that is in its thirteenth season spanning two cities - Indianapolis and Portland. He has been an All-Star (in 2000), played in the NBA Finals (where he played Shaquille O'Neal as well as anyone can expect, also in 2000), and he can count legends like Reggie Miller, Mark Jackson, Scottie Pippen, and Arvydas Sabonis among his past teammates.
Three times Davis led the Atlantic Coast Conference in rebounding while a Clemson Tiger. He was picked number 13 overall by the Pacers in 1991 and helped form the core - with Antonio Davis, Reggie Miller, and Rik Smits - of a Pacer team that was one of the most consistent in the Eastern Conference in the 1990's, outside of Michael Jordan's Bulls. He is the Pacers' all-time leader in field-goal percentage and rebounds; his name is plastered all over their record books in both of those categories as well as in the rankings for blocked shots and double-doubles - he isn't called Double-D for nothing.
"My Main Concern Is Trying To Win Games"
In his career Davis has been fairly durable, missing a few games here and there with injuries typical to his tough brand of play; little things like a sore back or a sprained ankle. Despite that, Indiana pulled the trigger on the trade that sent him to Portland for Jermaine O'Neal after their NBA Finals appearance. Unfortunately for Dale, that trade worked out extremely well for Indy and only decently for the Blazers. At the time it was a good deal for both sides but many fans don't remember that: To them Davis is a symbol of the Bob Whitsitt Era of impatience and indulgence and some hold Davis, however wrongly, partially responsible for O'Neal's phenomenal growth outside the reach of the Blazers.
Despite all of that Davis came to Portland and did what he always did, what he has always known: Played like a warrior. He tore down rebounds, leading the team in glass cleaning the previous three seasons. He brought his trademark stare which can bore into opponents and referees alike. He also brought a big smile and helps facilitate friendly camaraderie, something much needed in a Blazer lockerroom rampant with controversy the past few seasons. In three years as a starter for Portland he averaged 7.8 rebounds a game, something key to the Blazers' success.
This season has been a huge change for Davis, one he wasn't prepared for and has blindsided him. After starting the season in his normal role as the Blazers' number-one center Davis became a casualty of the phenomenal development of Zach Randolph and the team's desire to have both Rasheed Wallace and Randolph on the floor at the same time. When Darius Miles was brought in from Cleveland Portland had another piece to work into the puzzle, and that piece meant Dale was the odd man out. For the first time in many, many seasons Davis found himself in a bench role.
When Portland traded Rasheed Wallace, it didn't exactly make things better - in fact, it may have made them worse. Instead of just Wallace and Randolph, Davis found himself looking at the backs of Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Theo Ratliff as well as Randolph. Davis' role seemed to be growing smaller and smaller.
Talking with Davis it's evident he's frustrated with all the changes and his reduction in playing time. The 5.2 points and 5.8 rebounds a game he averages - which are skewed because he did start 37 games this year - are career lows. He's not doing anything different - he still fights for loose balls, he still hustles after rebounds, and earlier this season even ran the fast break a couple times. His skills are still there, so it's not a matter of whether his age (35) is catching up to him. It's just a matter of too many guys and too few minutes in Portland.
"I don't really have a choice, you know?" Dale Davis told Basketball News Services. "Basically I just need to figure out a way to keep helping to contribute. At this point we're fighting for the playoffs so anytime I get the opportunity I have to just go out and help this team win."
Davis doesn't come off as angry when he says these words - it's more matter of fact, like he has accepted things as they are and will adapt to whatever role he needs to take. Not many people could do that with the history Davis has, but he's managing. There was talk before the trade deadline he had asked to be moved - completely understandable considering he could make a difference on some other teams who need a big man and are fighting for a playoff spot. General Manager John Nash told him he wouldn't be traded just to be traded though, and no deal that benefited the Blazers showed up.
Asked about moving, Davis seemed noncommittal. He acknowledged he still wants to contribute to a team, but he also thinks everything in Portland can work out. The attitude was more along the lines if it happens, it happens, and if not that would be just fine too.
"At this point I'm not really worried about it," Davis said. "I'm here at least for the rest of the season anyway - I have another year on my contract. I'm not even looking ahead or really thinking about that at this point. My main concern is trying to win games and getting into the playoffs."
One might think that with the reduction in his role Davis might carry a grudge against the coaching staff that could be perceived as holding him back, but that's not true - he and coach Maurice Cheeks have a pretty good relationship and they talked when Rasheed Wallace was traded about the expectations for Davis and how he was going to fit in with the new players. Davis was clear it was a positive talk and there is nothing to rumors he's been a bit miffed at the coaching staff and the front office for not getting him into a different situation he could possibly contribute to a little more.
"We talked," Davis said. "His main thing was figuring out a way to make everything work. There were some changes made and I think he's done a pretty decent job of trying to make things work and trying to develop a certain consistency for each player. That's what he's still working on.
"We're on the same page, no question about it. You know, I would like to be out there more, but when I'm out there I do what I can to help this team win. At this point, like I said, we're fighting for that spot and it's going to take every effort from everyone to make that happen."
It all comes back to the playoffs for Dale Davis. Only once in his career - the 1996-97 season with Indiana - has Davis not played in the playoffs and he didn't like that. Making the playoffs is important to him, and to the team as a whole.
The numbers have dropped drastically. He hasn't scored ten points in a game since January 11th. He hasn't topped double digits in rebounds since January 20th. Davis has only reached the 30-minute point in a game twice since that same game. In fact, he hasn't scored more than five points in over a month - February 8th he scored nine.
As he said though, he is trying to make the most of the limited minutes he gets backing up Ratliff, Randolph, and Abdur-Rahim. And if the playoffs come, how would that make things Dale? Easier?
"Yeah, that would make life a whole lot easier," Davis smiled, the smile of a man who really is at peace with himself.
Jason Fleming writes for the NEWS@Hoopsworld team for the Central Division. Questions or comments? Email him!
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