The Show has a Knack

Unlike like many of you, I’m partial to Big Baby in the Big Baby v. Leon Powe Great Debate. It’s been that way since BBD’s 20-point outburst at Auburn Hills in Ali-Frazier II. During the Eastern Conference Finals, I was also reminded of how well Big Baby moves his feet on defense. His feet always seem to put the rest of his body in the right place in the team’s defensive schemes.

I like Leon Powe, too.

But ever since Powe, after being called out for missing defensive assignments, allowed Anderson Varejao to drive to the hoop for an uncontested lay-up on his first defensive assignment of the next game after being called out, I was left to scratch my head about old Leon.

But probably like many of you, I’ve given this debate a second, third, fourth, and twenty-fifth reconsideration.

Once upon a time Leon Powe’s primary responsibilities on the team were defensive, and, according to Doc, he performed those duties well. “As long as I’m in the NBA,” Doc said, “I hope to have a guy like Leon Powe on my team.”

If Powe could get back to a point where his defensive skills were an asset, he is the kind of guy you’d want on the floor with the second unit heading into the 2008 NBA Finals.

After sitting idly for much of the Eastern Conference Finals, Powe made a surprise appearance early in the second quarter of game 6. What happened? He got to the line immediately, twice within about 60 seconds. This is exactly what the second unit is missing when he’s not in the game—opportunities for lay-ups and easy points at the stripe.

What God gave BBD in footwork, he took way in leaping ability. Big Baby always reminds me of Antoine Walker when he’s trying to score over tall timber. It’s a major struggle. It’s never easy for Powe to score over taller players either. But once Powe has the ball in the paint, he does seem to find a way to get the shot off or draw a foul.

So for at least the first game and one post—this post—hears to hoping Doc’s insertion of the Show in game 6 is a sign of things to come for the Celtics second unit.