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Terry Foster: Who Gave Deyonta Davis The Wrong Information?

By Terry Foster
@TerryFoster971

It should have been the happiest day of Deyonta Davis' life.

However, the sullen look told another story when the Michigan State freshman was finally taken with the first pick of the second round by the Boston Celtics, the 31st pick overall. The poor guy looked like he needed a hug.

By the way he is no longer a Celtic. The team traded his rights to the Memphis Grizzlies, which was the best news of the night for him.

Someone told Davis he'd be a lottery pick, or at least close to it, but he sunk like the Titanic during the draft. This is not the end of the world for Davis but I never understood what people saw in him. Yes, he is 6-foot-11 and 240 pounds. Size intrigues people.

However, Davis is not an NBA player. He is far from it. That is not to say he cannot develop into something but he is way too tentative as a person and lacks the fire and attitude needed to make a splash in this game.

He has no offensive game and despite breaking State's record for blocks by a freshman, he is not a good defender. Spartans coach Tom Izzo needed to go elsewhere if he needed a stop in a big game. Davis really needed a year or two under Izzo who in turn needed more time to light that fire or help him develop a game.

Didn't we see a similar drop by another Spartan? Quarterback Connor Cook feel even more. Maybe the league punished Davis for not being a team captain.

It was sad to see his face. This kid from Muskegon should have been skipping across the stage and celebrating. But by the time he was picked NBA Commissioner Adam Silver left the stage and even Davis' family left the building.

Davis shook hands with deputy commissioner Mark Tatum instead of Silver with a face as long as the Mississippi River. Izzo told ESPN's Andy Katz "This is a cautionary tale for a lot of these freshmen who are leaving early."

Davis told ESPN: "The pick doesn't mean anything. It's how you come out and play. And I'm going to come out and play with a chip on my shoulder."

It means he misses out on $2 million in guaranteed money although he will get paid. The Grizzlies did not trade for him to give up this quickly. Davis also benefits because Zach Randolph is in Memphis to mentor him and help get this man on track.

Randolph is exactly what Davis needs now.

If you see Davis please give the man a hug. He needs one right now.

(Foster can be reached at Terry.Foster@cbsradio.com)

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