Davis, the maligned Celtics forward, has asked to shed the moniker which he has carried since childhood. For the 24-year-old, who was fined $25,000 by the league for inappropriate comments he made toward a fan in Detroit last week, it's a matter of turning over a new leaf.
"I'm not a big baby anymore. No more 'Big Baby,'" Davis told reporters before Monday's meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Davis said fans should send ideas for a new nickname to his Twitter account, but he also perked up at the suggestion from NESN.com's own Jeff Howe that he go by "Uno Uno," a nod to his number and the method used by Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, who famously changed his last name to note the "85" he sports on his back.
While the nickname change remains unofficial, Davis was adamant about shedding his past and apologizing for his latest indiscretion.
"I want to tell the fans that in the game of basketball you kind of show your emotions in a different way," he said. "My job is a different experience. I'm in the public eye and kids look up to me, and I just can't be making those mistakes.
"I'm not a troublemaker or a fighter. I'm a young guy who is trying to learn how to live life."
When told that Davis was looking to leave behind the nickname, Celts coach Doc Rivers had no comment, but hoped it meant something in the way of maturity.
"Actions change your image," Rivers said. "That's a good thing. It's a start.
"I don't know what his reputation was. He's young and he has to grow up in front of a lot of people. He's not a bad kid, we just got to give him some time."
Davis missed the first 27 games of the season after injuring a thumb in a fight with a friend during training camp. He is averaging 5.8 points and 4.1 rebounds in 13 games since returning.
