Glen "Big Baby" Davis learned a valuable lesson this week. According to the Boston Herald, Davis has issued an apology to his fans, teammates and the Celtics organization following his response to a fan’s taunts during Wednesday’s game against the Pistons. Davis received a $25,000 fine from the NBA for the inappropriate comment earlier in the week.
"I can understand the fine," Davis told the Herald. "I shouldn’t have said what I said. I apologize to the fans and to my teammates and the organization, and really I want to apologize to the young people who might have heard it and their parents. They shouldn’t be hearing that kind of thing from me. It’s not right. You don’t want your kids hearing bad words and bad language."
Celtics head coach Doc Rivers has been empathetic. Rivers has dealt with hecklers in the past, both as an NBA player and coach.
"Some of the things we hear in the crowd, it’s just absolutely amazing," Rivers told the Herald. "There’s been times I stare up at the guy, and hopefully that menacing look will stop him, and it usually doesn’t. Usually the beer wins out."
Rivers acknowledges that fan taunting is part of the game.
"Listen, this has been an issue for years in every sport," Rivers said. "It’s not going to go away."
Davis will need to follow his coach’s advice if he wants to avoid a similar incident in the future. The Celtics’ forward plans to ignore hecklers and stay focused on the game.
"I shouldn’t be letting anyone get me frustrated and mad to the point where I’m saying bad words and things like that," Davis said. "It doesn’t matter what the guy said. I have to watch what I say and just play the game."
