Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

At 6-foot-7 with a wingspan that could wrap around several people comfortably, Boston Celtics forward James Young could understandably be mistaken for older than he actually is.

But until Young’s 20th birthday on Sunday, he was still a teenager — one year removed from playing for an NCAA championship and dunking all over Connecticut, and two years removed from playing in the McDonald’s All-American game. Despite his man-sized frame and impressive NBA salary, it’s notable that Young is incredibly…you know, young.

[…]

Part of the reason his youth is so noteworthy was his lackluster performance in 2014-15. Brad Stevens was notably hesitant to play the forward as the Celtics were more focused on winning. As a team making a push for a playoff spot, Boston didn’t really have many developmental minutes to throw at a rookie who often struggled badly with defensive rotations.

Young spent quite a bit of time playing for the Portland Red Claws, amassing gaudy stats (23.5 points per game on 44.3 percent from behind the arc in nine attempts per game) while playing against notably inferior competition. When he was with the Celtics, Young spent most of his time watching from the bench.

Mass Live – Boston Celtics forward James Young is no longer a teenager 

With the season still months away, training camp story-lines have not yet crystallized. The “James Young watch,” however, is one theme sure to make the cut in any “top five Celtics training camp” headline lists

Before I even saw that Young turned 20 yesterday, he was on my mind when I decided to do charity work on Sunday afternoon: helping NESN’s ratings by watching Boston’s boys of summer sadness. Jackie Bradley Jr had quite a weekend for the Sox, showing some serious offensive pop to go along with his sterling defensive reputation. Bradley, like Young, came on to the scene with a lot of hype and plenty of preternatural talent. Bradley tore up spring training in 2013, and Young lit up the NBDL in his first pro season. When given some time at the highest level of competition, however, both sputtered. Bradley had little-to-no confidence at the plate and Young’s sweet shooting stroke never really rounded into form in winter-time opportunities with the green.

As Bradley continued getting short stints at the big league level, each lacking in consistent production, fans grew impatient. Bradley, it seemed, was nothing but hype, even though every time he was sent back down to Pawtucket, his bat woke up. With the Sox season up in flames, Bradley is finally getting unimpeded time at the big league level after accruing only about a year’s worth of time (at-bats) in three-plus seasons of big league exposure. He is finally looking like he belongs and it’s due to both plenty of reps and an increase in confidence and maturity.

Young may not be ready to get unimpeded playing time at the NBA level (although if you read my Evan Turner must go piece from last week -shout out to the commenter who told me I must go instead… to which I have no response – you know that I’m all for giving Young a chance to gain confidence), but there’s no doubting his talent and scoring ability. Like Bradley Jr., he’s shown he belongs at the second-highest level in the sport.

So, happy 20th to James Young, who may just be an increased opportunity  away from living up to some of that 2014 draft night hype.

On Page 2, you heard it here first: Greg Oden is a sleeper this year in the Chinese Basketball Association

When Greg Oden signed with the Heat back in 2013 in his first real comeback from the constant knee injuries that robbed him of what looked like an All-Star career, it seemed like maybe it was the start of his road to at least being an NBA journeyman. Despite all the knee problems and reports of depression that came with them, Oden had an opportunity on a team that badly needed size to build himself into a niche. Unfortunately, he didn’t last with the Heat, and now his career is continuing … in China.

The Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association officially announced this week that they had signed the 27-year-old center to a contract.

CBSSports – NBA career derailed by injury, Greg Oden signs to play in China

Normally NBA “what-ifs” come about when you watch another team win a title with a player you could have drafted. They’re a futile exercise and just end up making you feel really shitty. That’s when I usually queue up the Celtics 2007-2008 championship DVD, pour myself a beer and reminisce on the good times.

But I wouldn’t have been able to do that if this “what-if” came true: The Celtics score the #2 pick in the 2007 NBA draft, the Sonics select Kevin Durant with the #1 pick, while the Celtics grab the next David Robinson: Greg Oden at #2. The Cs trade a disgruntled and impatient Paul Pierce for a bevy of picks and young players.

If that had happened, Greg Oden would still be signing to play in China, Danny Ainge would be gone and we’d still be waiting for banner #17.

I shudder just thinking about it. But, hey, I’ll be drafting Oden in my Fantasy CBA league this fall, so it’s all good.

And Finally… A fun top-ten list of NBA Champion Jerseys from the 90s

The Big Lead blog from USA Today posted a top ten list of NBA Champion jerseys, which made for a fun and nostalgic read. As a kid of the 90s, and a college student in the mid-aughts who loved nothing more than rocking 90s NBA jerseys to parties, class, the library, etc., I read with great anticipation and was a little disappointed with the Mugsy Bogues jersey coming in at #1. If any Hornet were to make the list, I’d argue for Larry Johnson. Also, I was lucky enough to have a Rex Chapman Hornets jersey, which puts a Mugsy jersey to shame.

The best part of the Chapman grab, was that I outbid one of my closest friends by under a dollar for that jersey and neither of us knew it until I wore it one day. He still hasn’t forgiven me.

Finally, I had and still have a Dominique Wilkins Celtics jersey. Not sure what I was thinking.