Davis worried about children's education in Toronto

Antonio Davis is concerned about his children's future. And that may pose a problem for Toronto Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald, who hopes to re-sign the free agent this summer.

In an interview with American syndicated talk show host Jim Rome, Davis said that he was concerned that his six-year-old twins, Antonio Jr. and Kaela, were learning the metric system, and the Canadian national anthem.

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"It's just that Canada teaches a lot of different things," Davis said.

"You know, the metric system, when they go to school every day and they're singing the national anthem. Some of those things are going to pass as they're kids. As they grow older, there are some different things they need to learn.

"I'm a little worried about it now because they're really starting real school -- first and second and third grades -- and I think those grades are very important in their learning process."

Grunwald laughed at the interview, and said that he wasn't concerned about Davis' comments.

"Tell Antonio that I will volunteer to tutor his kids in pounds and ounces and gallons and pints (if he re-signs)," Grunwald said with a chuckle.

Bill Duffy, Davis' agent, said that he thought Davis had a great interview with Rome and didn't understand the media reaction from his client's remarks.

""I can't believe the over-reaction to this," he said. "I heard the interview and I told him (Davis) that it was a great interview."

Duffy also defended Davis' opinion about his sons growing up in the Canadian education system.

"I think it was fair and not controversial at all," Duffy said. "I would expect a Canadian living in the U.S. may say the same thing. It wasn't disparagement."

Although he still has two years left on a seven-year, $35-million US deal, Davis is eligible to claim free agency on July 1. It's expected that Davis, who averaged 13.7 points and 10.1 rebounds a game in his best season as a professional, will generate a lot of interest on the open market.

He is looking for a long-term contract worth approximately $ 10 million US a season.

"I don't think there's many times in your career where you have an opportunity for people to really get a chance to see who wants you and what's going on," Davis said.

"I'm going to do my best to try and keep it open. If I'm here is Toronto, that's fine. If I'm somewhere else, I have to make that change and be ready to do the same thing and continue to play and try to be the best player that I can be.

While he enjoyed his time in Toronto, Davis said that he was often concerned about his family and felt like he was holding them back.

"I think my family was happy (in Toronto), but I'm not sure how happy they were," Davis said. "There was a lot of time that I was worried about them and worried about their situation, the kids in school, the opportunities for my wide to do different things.

"I just need to make sure those things are taken care of first, and then we'll make that decision on whether it's the best thing for us to come back or there's a possibility we'll have to go elsewhere. I think everything else in Toronto is just fine."