Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
This was the first time the public has had a chance to see him in a Celtics uniform, and the wait was definitely worthwhile. Young didn’t play a bunch of minutes, but he played long enough to show why the Celtics are so high on him and that the talk about him during the preseason wasn’t just hype.
This 19-year-old can flat-out shoot the ball. Within seconds, Young nailed a 3-pointer and followed it up with a four-point play. You don’t want to put too much stock in how a rookie performs in a scrimmage, but you can’t ignore Young’s talent and potential to help the Celtics this season.
James Young could have been awful on defense and out of position many times on offense during last night’s scrimmage, but all I care about is the back-to-back three-pointers sequence (7:30 mark in the video).
Young’s potential as an explosive scorer is a reason to get excited. Yes, I’m aware that at 19 years old, it’s going to take him at least 2-3 years to get truly acclimated to the NBA game.
Here’s what sucks. Young is going to lose minutes to guys like Marcus Thornton, Jeff Green and Evan Turner. Guys who I don’t anticipate being here long term (Sorry, I’ve soured on Turner before he’s had a chance to show his stuff). Unless…
“We’ve got to figure out who of the new guys fits and how they best fit and go on from there,” Stevens said. “But we’ve got some very significant players on our roster, when you talk about Zeller, Smart, Thornton, James Young and Evan Turner, who are new. You’re very much projecting it instead of knowing it.”
Stevens has offered high praise for Smart and Young. For Smart, that’s not much of a surprise, but Young could state a case to stick around (rather than, say, toil in the D-League) despite deep depth at the swingman spot.
“I’m very pleased with where the two rookies are as far as their progress and development in just a short amount of time,” Stevens said. “They’ve invested a lot of time individually before they got into practice, then I’ve been impressed with new guys. Each of the new guys have done things that makes you say, ‘That will help us.'”
The players seem to understand the situation, and each one is simply trying to put his best foot forward in hopes of stating a case for playing time.
Ultimately, it’s going to be Young’s (lack of) defense that will cost him minutes. I just hope he continues to give us flashes of potential throughout the season.
On the injury front, Jeff Green left the scrimmage with a strained calf. The injury did not appear serious. Vitor Faverani, Joel Anthony and Rajon Rondo did not scrimmage.
Related: CSNNE – Have to find where new players fit | ESPN Boston – Olynyk, Sully highlight scrimmage | Celtics.com – Video: Practice report
On Page 2, Danny Ainge wants Rajon Rondo to slow his roll.
“I know Rajon, and I know that he wants to play,” Ainge said last night as the Celts gathered at the Garden for a scrimmage in front of season ticket-holders and sponsors. “I know how hard he’s worked and how much he wants to play, so I’m not surprised by that. I knew he would come to that, whether it was privately or publicly or whatever.
“But the medical staff and Rajon and the coaching staff and myself will make that determination.”
As for how realistic Rondo’s hopes may be, Ainge is preaching patience.
“I don’t have any idea,” the Celts president of basketball operations said. “That’s a month away, so we’ll just play it as it comes. I’m not surprised that he wants to play opening night, but we’ll be cautious. We’ll be smart. We won’t let him dictate that. We’ll make sure he’s healed and healthy before he steps on the court.”
Rondo didn’t play in last night’s scrimmage, but he still participated. The captain threw passes to his teammates in the layup line while wearing a soft cast. Jay has a Rondo clip in his video report.
The rest of the links:
CSNNE – Smart: Tough to find non-retired number | Blakely: Draft lottery has to change | Globe –Gerald Wallace on the mend
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