Rivers, Davis touch on complicated return

January 23, 2012|By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

Former Celtics forward Glen Davis is in the building tonight to play against his former team. Davis can charitably be described as enigmatic during his time in Boston, helping lead the Celtics to the championship in 2008 before off-court issues and questions about effort hastened his departure to the Magic.

Davis hesitated and gave a long pause when asked if he wanted to be a Celtic again during the offseason.

"Um, yeah," said Davis. "You start your career somewhere and you don't want to leave. It's a business. Some things don't work out the way you want to, and you find a new home."

Davis said he wasn't sure how he'd feel coming back into this building, and he didn't know what his emotions would be during tonight's game.

"I heard they gave Perk like a little tribute," said Davis. "If they do that, I don't know. I might not be able to hold myself. But it's good. I think my emotions will be OK> I'm playing a basketball game. Hopefully I won't let the other family feelings get in the mix."

Davis had a complicated relationship with Celtics coach Doc Rivers, and Rivers expressed some of that when asked about Davis.

"He did a lot of great things for us," said Rivers. "He was on the stage when he held up the ball. He played a big part of it, he really did, especially that year. He was fantastic.

"He's a better player than his act. I was very hard on him. Still am when I talk to him, to be the player and not the act. I think Baby has a lot of good basketball left in him, and when he focuses on that, he does it."

Rivers said he has not spoken to Davis since he's gotten into town, but he said he probably will after the game.