Glen Davis and Leon Powe: The Boston Celtics' Little Big Men

Glen Davis and Leon Powe both came to the Celtics taking slightly different paths.  Both played in the NCAA tourney but it was Davis who America remembers as he danced around the Louisiana Dome draped in Mardi Gras gear celebrating his teams success.

The lovable kid from LSU who, in spite of his parent's inability to give him a stable childhood, has found success. Powe has a similar story, but if you ask me who is the better of the two I would say Davis.

Everyone has been excited lately about the play of Leone Powe, and rightly so. His low post game is better than average, and his incredible wingspan allows him to snare rebounds over taller opponents.

These are his averages this season: 7.6 PPG; 4.90 RPG; 0.6 APG; +9.36 EFF.

Leon Powe has been making his mark with this latest opportunity, scoring in double figures in two of the last three games. Even so, with his extended playing time he tends to forget his role and is prone to foul trouble and worse goes away from his strength which is attacking the boards.

He came back to earth in the Milwaukee game by fouling out of the game in the crucial third quarter. He is more of a Dale Davis-type player.

He is now on the injured list and hopes to be back for the playoffs.

Davis, on the other hand, is a poor man's Charles Barkley. Like the round mound of rebound, he uses his considerable derriere in the paint. Rumor has it he body slammed Shaq while play-wrestling at the age of 15.

Before his injury (he has returned since), he was averaging double figures in scoring and is only getting better.

Davis has expanded his game, his jumpshot is more consistent, and, with extended minutes, he does not forget his role. His once-round body is becoming more NBA-ready because of his offseason regimen.

Davis' averages: 5.8 P PG; 3.6 RPG; 0.9 APG; +6.9 EFF.

Yes, Powe's numbers are better but, as a third-year player, his averages remain virtually the same as last year. He seemed to have hit his ceiling in his development as a player. 

As a starter, Davis is more reliable because, even if his shot is not falling, he will stay within his role. Last night against the Clippers, he went 1-7 from the field but had four steals and went 5-of-5 from the free throw line.

They both bring value to the team, but coach Doc Rivers seems to trust Davis more in critical situations.

Powe had his "where amazing happens" moment in last year's Finals, when the Zen Master acknowledged him after he hit the Lakers for 21 points in Game Two. I think Big Baby will have more than one of those moments in this year's Finals.