ORLANDO -- The Orlando Magic weren't going anywhere last season while the Los Angeles Clippers had a chance to come out of the Western Conference for the NBA finals, which made for a new lease on life for "Big Baby" Glen Davis, who was trying to make a good impression with his new team.
Davis was sucking wind in his 18 minutes and 32 seconds on the court in his first game for the Clippers against the LA Lakers on March 6, another team that was going nowhere last season. The Clippers easily disposed of the Lakers, 142-94.
With a new lease on life in his NBA career, Davis had a pretty decent showing for the Clippers: 10 points on 5 for 7 shooting, two rebounds and one assist. And he took a charge to boot.
But if Davis had an achilles heel, it was his hefty weight, to say the least. The 6-foot 9-inch power forward weighed a whopping 325 pounds; hence the name "Big Baby," when he was coming out of LSU in being compared to the earlier Tigers alumnus, Shaquille O'Neal."
Still, Davis was pleased with his performance against the Lakers, saying: "I'm still trying to get a rhythm, still trying to find myself here as an important part on this team.
The Davis trade comes in at No. 79 in the HeadlineSurfer.com countdown of the top 100 stories of 2014.
Davis and Indiana Pacers castoff Danny Granger were both late-season imports for the Clippers, though Granger lasted longer in the gem against the Lakers.
Granger hadn't played much in the last two years while Davis had a lot of upside, if he could shed 20 to 25 pounds, an obvious factor in the Magic deciding to cut the veteran loose before the trading deadline and giving more playing time to younger players.
On Feb. 21, Davis and the Magic mutually agreed to a contract buyout. Three days later, Davis signed with the Clippers.
Davis was the lone member of Rivers' squad in L.A. with a ring from their 2008 championship season together with the Boston Celtics.
The Clippers lost in the Western Conference semi-finals to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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The HeadlineSurfer.com Countdown of the Top 100 Local Stories of 2014...