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The play of the Toronto Raptors 2010 first round draft pick Ed Davis is beginning to get noticed around the NBA.  After missing the second half of his sophomore college season at North Carolina with a broken wrist, and then all of his first NBA training camp with a torn meniscus in his right knee, Davis finally got back into game action in December with the Raptors.  Thirty games later his team might be heading in the wrong direction, but Davis is proving the point that he was a steal at thirteenth in the draft.

"It set me back big time not being out there with the guys learning the defense and offense," said Davis. "But I am slowly catching on and trying to get back."

The 21-year-old Davis started his first NBA season with an imposing knee brace but fortunately those days seem to be over.

"He is practicing really well and without the brace anymore," said Joey Dorsey.  "The brace was heavy on him."

"I am not 100 percent yet," explained Davis.  "But I am starting to get back and comfortable. This is about my third game without the brace, just a knee sleeve to give it a little support and to keep it warm.

"It takes a lot of rest and that’s kind of hard to do right now with the season going on."

Already, Davis’ teammates can see his potential.

"He is a young fellow with a lot of ability," said Linas Kleiza.  "I wouldn’t say he has come into his own just yet, his missing training camp, but he is getting there.  He has to stay focused and we especially need him on the defensive end."

In his first two months playing with the Raptors, Davis is already leading his team with 1.1 blocks per game and recently blocked five shots in 23 minutes against the Grizzlies.

"He is very good on defense," said Andrea Bargnani.  "He is very talented on defense compared to a normal young guy."

"He is doing really well," said the rebounding specialist Joey Dorsey.  "I think he is still trying to get a feel for the game and what his place is out there, but on the defensive end he is playing well."

Dorsey is the Raptors most efficient (non-injured) player at collecting rebounds grabbing 21.9 percent of all available boards, but Davis is a surprising second at 16.5 percent.  

"I just try to find the ball because the best way for me to stay on the court is by rebounding," said Davis.

"I think he can be a good defensive player," said Dorsey. "A defensive specialist."

So far Davis is averaging six points, six boards, 1.1 blocks, and 0.4 steals in 21.4 minutes per game. Numbers that place him second among all rookies in blocks and fourth in rebounds, and should earn him a selection to the Rookie-Sophomore game during All-Star weekend.  

{AUTHOR_BOX}Perhaps more important to the Raptors is the per 36 minute statistics for Davis suggest that he can already play at a 10 point, 10 rebound, and two block pace and those kind of player statistics are something the defensively challenged Raptors need.

Gone almost unnoticed however is the fact Davis is second on the Raptors in field goal percentage at 56.6 percent and was considered an effective offensive player in college.

"He is working on his offense a lot (in practice)," said Dorsey.  "So he can be a threat on offense when he is out there.  Right now teams are playing off him a bit because they know he doesn’t have a feel for the game yet."

"During the game, I am rebounding and blocking shots, running the floor, and just trying to be the best defender on the team," said Davis.  "In practice, it is working on my offense, jump shot, and trying to improve offensively.

"It is different from being in college, but I knew my role was going to change and I accepted it. I am just going to try and earn my teammates respect so they look for me a little more, but that will come with time."

"He can do both," said Jose Calderon.  "He can play in the post and he has a jumper that when he gets more confidence he can shoot.  He can rebound the ball and dunk so he can be an offensive player too."

Now 30 games into his short NBA career, the potential of the Raptors first round pick is beginning to crystallize.  Already showing that he can be a prolific rebounder and shot blocker, Davis is working on bringing his offensive game up to the NBA level.  While there is still a long way to go in his development at both ends of the floor, the Raptors have to be excited about drafting a player with such high defensive potential who should be able to eventually contribute at the offensive end as well.

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