Schmitz's Take: What loss of Big Baby might mean?

Brian Schmitz Magic Insider

11:02 PM EST, December 19, 2012


On Wednesday, the day a grassroots campaign began asking for fans to vote Glen Davis into the all-star game as a write-in candidate, he gets hurt.

The Magic's 290-pound power forward sustained a shoulder injury late in the fourth quarter, and it looked serious.

Tests have to be run, but if Davis is out for any length of time, the Magic will lose their most potent and consistent inside presence.

Davis is having a career season. He has been putting up numbers since late last season, when he replaced Dwight Howard, who was sidelined with a back injury.

He left holding his shoulder, and to me it was reminiscent to how Jameer Nelson wrecked his shoulder in 2009, tearng his rotator cuff and bicep. We'll see how severe the damage might be.

What does Jacque Vaughn do as long as Davis is out?

He has few options.

He has no player on the bench like Davis, who is in the Al Jefferson and Zach Randolph mold, aggressive, wide-bodied players who primarily battle in the paint.

Coach Jacque Vaughn's best option is Andrew Nicholson, 6-9, 250 pounds.

Starting him would put two rookies in the lineup (along with small forward Maurice Harkless).

Nicholson, though, can score in the paint as we've seen and that's what the Magic will miss if Big Baby is out. He's also calm and composed as a first-year player.

Vaughn's other option is veteran Josh McRoberts, who is more athletic but not a post player.

McRoberts is the safe choice. But if you also say you all about developing players, then even more reason to start Nicholson.
