The Toronto Raptors were hoping to improve their inside game when they made six-foot ten-inch, 225-pound University of North Carolina power forward Ed Davis the 13th pick of the 2010 NBA Draft.
Unfortunately before Davis could see any regular season action, he suffered a meniscus injury to his right knee playing pick-up basketball. Davis required arthroscopic surgery and has been out of action since the procedure. On Tuesday he prepared for his season debut.
"It was good to have him back and he had a good practice (Tuesday)," Raptors Head Coach Jay Triano said, "Hopefully we'll find a way to get him into the game (Wednesday) and get him his first action."
Last Monday Davis was assigned to the Erie BayHawks of the Development League where in two games he averaged 17 minutes, 10 points and five rebounds per game and also gained a little extra motivation,
"I never want to go back down (to the D-League) again. It's a struggle down there, it's rough," Davis said, "We had a five-six hour bus ride to Fort Wayne it's really a struggle. You get to my stage you just want to work hard and just never go down there."
With the recent injury to Reggie Evans, the league's number three rebounder, the Toronto Raptors are looking to fill a big hole in the middle and improve their entire team defence, Triano believes Davis can help them achieve that goal,
"If he can change the way teams attack the rim with his length and his ability to block shots then I think that's a positive for our team in general," said the Raptors' head coach, "At the offensive end if he can get into the paint for us and get offensive rebounds he'll help everyone he's playing with"
Davis on the other hand is having none of the comparisons to the Raptors injured big man.
"I can't do what Reggie does so I'm just going to do what I do."
As for how long they expect Davis to play in his NBA debut, Triano was not willing to set a limit.
"Part of the rehab and part of him being sent down to the D-league was to get minutes, we'll play him as long as he can stay out there."
Prior to his injury Davis participated in the NBA's Summer League and in five games posted 12.6 points, six rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.
