Instead of dunking on Cleveland in the playoffs, Leon Powe will be wearing their jersey next season. Leon Powe reportedly reached a two year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers for $1.77 M according to ESPN. Leon Powe was an amazing player for the Boston Celtics in our 2008 Championship season and I respect him as a player. I don't expect to see Powe in the Cavs starting 5, but I do expect him to be a great bench player similar to the talent he was for the Celtics.
Cleveland seems to be bulking up their team with the acquisition of Shaq and Leon Powe, making LeBron a very happy face of the franchise. I'm not too sure whether this move is more of a, "If we can't beat him join him" type of things after the games that Powe has had against Cleveland in the post season, or if they think that Leon is going to push them over the hump in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics "Big Baby" Man
With the ongoing debate of Leon Powe or Glen Davis staying with the team to back up Kevin Garnett, we were given our answer on the 10th when Glen "Big Baby" Davis signed a two year, $6 M deal with the Celtics. Danny Ainge was more than happy to bring Davis back to the team:
Glen really came into his own last season in the second half when he got a chance to play. He wants to play. Just like all young players, he wants a more significant role.
Glen Davis is also very excited to come back to play for Boston as he told ESPN:
I feel like I've grown up so much this whole summer in terms of being a professional and being an adult. The Celtics organization is a great thing to be a part of. I assume it will be similar to what it was in college. For me to come in here and fill out my role -- whatever that might be -- it's an exciting time.
I'm excited for Big Baby to be back, I'm excited to have Rasheed Wallace playing for us, but in the end, I still have that soft spot for guys that bring Championships to Boston and I'm going to miss Leon Powe. Even when he comes into the Garden in a Cavaliers uniform, I'll still cheer for him.
Thanks to Eric Kilby for the photo of Leon Powe.
This news saddens me quite a bit. Leon Powe was the man. I remember going to games two years ago and wondering why Powe wasn’t getting more playing time. Then, when he blew up against the Lakers, I felt like he cemented himself as a Celtic, a gutsy solid player who knew when to step into the spotlight (when his teamed needed it).
Simply put, Leon Powe was the man. Here’s hoping he plays well in Cleveland, that is except when the Celtics are in town!
Powe was a grinder who got the most out of his ability while here in Boston. Classy guy as well. I echo your thoughts on him Josh, he will be missed. Unfortunately, they can’t keep everyone. All things considered, if Powe never was injured, I would’ve preferred signing him over Big Baby, but Powe suffered a major injury and I feel they made the right move by shoring up BBaby and unfortunately that meant goodbye to Powe. I wish him well.
I have the same stance on that Chuck. I would’ve much rather have seen Powe locked up for the long term if it weren’t for the injury and the show that Davis put on last season when we needed him.
I also wish we could’ve had the best of both worlds, but with the addition of Rasheed Wallace, I knew someone was leaving.