<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Coming off one of the most frustrating seasons of his career, Davis said he has a renewed vigor, a shift in focus. He's determined to turn the page in his career. "My focus and where I'm headed is where I need to be at this point," Davis said in a phone interview from his home in Las Vegas. "I don't think I have to prove anything to nobody except myself. Last year I was out to prove to everybody I was back. This season, I don't care about that. I've just got a more selfish approach with the things I need to do." The reclamation process has started with his body. Davis has taken a hard-line approach to improving his health. Davis, who missed 28 games due to injury last season, rested the entire summer to heal his sprained right ankle, which at one point he was told might require surgery. In the meantime he embarked on a strict diet, which includes lots of sushi and no eating out late at night. He is now full bore into his training and expecting to hit training camp in stride. He even displayed an interest in the health of others. Davis became the spokesman for L.A.'s Best, an after school program that teaches the importance of health to youth. He also spoke on a panel during last week's Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., about how to improve African-Americans' overall health. "We talked about health in our community and how we can improve our well being as minorities growing up in the inner city," Davis said. "This summer, I've really kind of found my niche and my role." Davis said he wants to couple physical development with peace of mind. Portrayed as the center of the Warriors' turmoil, he said he allowed last season's ills to get to him. There were reports about Davis not getting along with then-coach Mike Montgomery, about his teammates being upset because he had the longest rope. Davis himself said he wasn't the team leader he wanted to be and admitted he second-guessed himself at times. No more. "I think my personality last year was not who I am," Davis said. "I was more serious, worried, worried about what people were thinking. It taught me a lot. Having a coach like Montgomery who was learning the ropes, we went through a lot of tough times. We went through a lot both on and off the court. All that taught me not to worry about that stuff. I'm always going to be judged, so why worry about it." Davis is banking on a healthy body and clear mind resulting in improved production. The two-time All-Star said last season was "probably the most inconsistent I had ever played." He averaged 17.9 points and 8.9 assists. But he was the only Warriors regular to shoot under 40 percent (38.9) and his volume of shots -- his 15.9 attempts per game was second only to guard Jason Richardson -- seemed to disrupt the Warriors offense. Davis said the answer is having fun again, like he did when he first joined the Warriors. That's why he's so giddy about the hiring of Don Nelson. "Look at Steve Nash," Davis said. "Look at what (Nelson) did with Tim Hardaway. He gave those guys the opportunity to be who they needed to be out on the floor. I want to play for Coach so bad because I know that once we get on the court, it's going to be wide-open. What better situation can a point guard ask for? When I hit the court, I'm going to be the hardest-working dude on the court." Now that is verso.</div> Source
I hope Davis really does show out there exactly what he means. I mean he first talks about him having big shoulders to carry this franchise and being able to handle the pressure, but I guess it was too much for him. Probably too much for anybody when the people above him don't know what the heck they are doing... I'd like to see at least 42% shooting this year. I mean he's not Murphy, Dunleavy or Pietrus. Baron can go left or right very quickly and pull up off the dribble to make tough shots and make smart decisions with the ball when he's focussed and detached from himself emotionally from doing something stupid. Sometimes when he wants to win so bad he just ignores the team. Healthwise, he could weigh a little bit less. He's probably as heavy as some football players. I think he weighs more than Jrich who is about an inch or two taller.
This is just false. Nothing in the past indicates that he's this type of guy. Yeah he as All-NBA Third team and a two-time All-Star, but that was 2 years ago. Since then, he's had plenty of time to "rededicate" himself. He was my hope last year but he utterly failed. Instead of going down with the ship and taking responsibility, he bailed out. With Nellie, we've got all the "rededication" we need, its not about Baron anymore, its about Nellie. That's what he needs to rededicate his mind to.
I agree. It sounds like more lip service. I mean he's trying hard to win for us at times, but not all the time. But like Baron said, we're always going to judge and nitpick until we start winning and cure everything with winning. It's like how some think Dunleavy or Jrich should be more vocal, but what if they are vocal and they can't get it done like Baron was or Mullin was. Unfortunately, for us we can't find somebody that can do exactly what they say they set out to do. Good to see ya , Phil smith!
He seems fired up, but as us cynical fans are, we know that it's mostly talk that we've heard before. In a related Baron-note, it was interesting reading an interview with Don Nelson in the SJ Merc, that Nelson wanted Baron to slim down to "play his style of ball." Personally I'd just be happy with him staying healthy. His weight is probably a factor in all his injuries, considering the types of injuries he has gotten are due to stress, likely related to weight.
I can't tell. He looks less puffier in the face, but look at Derek Fisher. The guy was ripped as hell but still looked puffy in the face. Both those guards are kind of thick and puffy looking all over.
I agree with philsmith. It's hard for people to change. It's like battered wife syndrome sometimes with teams, how they're willing to give players chance after chance to prove themselves even though the past suggests that they won't.
If you can't change the way a player plays, then try changing the system he plays in. Hopefully the running system by Nellie will fit Baron.
Cetainly, Davis has an attitude, but he isn't a headcase like Artest. Also, he is a pretty smart player, and he probably realizes that this is his last chance to save his status in NBA. If he can't work with Nelson, who has a huge reputation and a style he can defintely utilize, he will forever be remained like Artest or Sprewell. I don't think Davis is that stubbern, and that's why I am optimistic with Davis this year. If Wallace can be changed under Brown, Davis certainly can...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Gohn:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree with philsmith. It's hard for people to change. It's like battered wife syndrome sometimes with teams, how they're willing to give players chance after chance to prove themselves even though the past suggests that they won't.</div> Hey what's up Gohn! Yeah I agree we've been following the Warriors for years, hoping they'd finally win, and I think we all have battered warrior-fans syndrome.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AnimeFANatic:</div><div class="quote_post">If you can't change the way a player plays, then try changing the system he plays in. Hopefully the running system by Nellie will fit Baron.</div> Baron got stuck trying to make Montyball work-a real uphill road. We SAW the style he's comfortable in-very effective in-and it's a lot like how Nellie likes to play. Imagine Magic Johnson being told he had to run (walk) a Montyball system. " Magic-we need you to pretend you are D Fish--slow it up and stay perimeter"...yeah---like that would have gone over well-----
Baron was just one of several guys stuck with a situation where they knew damn well they COULD do better but the coach had his thing and it put some of their best stuff in the closet. I am pretty impressed nobody got bitchy about it. I'd have probably tended to be pretty sarcastic and most likely would have glued me to the bench next to Zarko.
Never, ever equate Baron to Magic. Magic was told to play Paul Westhead basketball and he balked (leading to the Riley legacy) but he never let himself get out of shape nor rested on his laurels. Yes, that's my perception of Baron.
I just hope Baron at full potential will work with Nelson's plan at full potential. If both disagree, we'll see if Baron's way or Nelson's way gets us to the playoffs. But I think if we don't make the playoffs because the two don't agree on a playing style we'll have to divvy up the blame like we always do. LOL. We lack all-stars, but our leaders will be called into question. Seriously, Baron hasn't been that great of a player lately, especially when the team can lose in something that should be automatic like free throws. We've got guys who can get to the foul line, but only slow two dimensional chuckers like Murphy and Fish can shoot them. It's great that Baron can pass and dribble, but I want to see the guy shoot and make it. Point guard or shooting guard has to have these fundamentals or else the other guys just play off. That's why I want to see more creative scorers involved in the game, especially ones that can outquick, outmuscle or outmaneuver the other guy so they can set up a teammate. So far we have a few guys like that, but it's all potential until they put it into practice game in and game out. I don't mind them playing the Dallas 1 versus 1 type ball, but they would need defense or free throw shooting... or else we get 2002 or 2005 Warriors LOL. Oh yes, we need to have any kind of scoring involve some form of inside game. I don't care what it is, but we need to increase points in the paint and second chance points so we have a chance if we miss from the 3 point line or 18 foot mark...
