Chris Forsberg's great article on James Young's development

[tstorey_97]

I've watched him play for Maine on youtube for a few games. There is a downside to D league and that is very little accent on defense. Regardless, he's 19(?) and playing against pros regularly is great for his development...except for his weakness which is defense.

He is clearly not an intense defender. He does not square on his opponent and he doesn't use his good length to his advantage on defense. Agree with article that he isn't heavy enough to defend NBA threes, but, he does not fight hard enough on defense  to defend twos.

Young guy who will get better. He has shot the lights out in Maine on more than one occasion. His form is really tops, just needs to break a sweat on the other end...you know? Drink what Marcus Smart is drinkin' or sumpin' like dat..

[Global Celtic]

I really don't care about his defense at all, lol. He's still only 19, and you can always teach defense, but you can't teach this kid's love for the big moment, let alone that silky smooth shot of his.  Jameer Nelson is getting minutes and he can't guard anyone, Thornton and Turner are about average in this regard (at best), as well, and KO is meh (even though he's improved on that end so far this year). It's not like Young is trying to break into the rotation of a contender where the only way he'll get on the floor is if he plays defense.  I don't think that Pierce was required to be a good defender as a rookie, either, because guess what - just like now, we absolutely sucked, lol.  LET HIM PLAY.

I'm with you.

LET HIM PLAY

Yeah, we tend to depict the flaws of this young players without understanding what experience/reps will give them in the future. They NEED to play, and play in the NBA, against good competition. They NEED to see how a guy like Kevin Durant plays hard every night, like Rose plays hard, like John Wall or any other young superstar plays, night in night out. The NBA is all about intensity and talent but first you have to bring it every single night.

[tarheelsxxiii]

I really don't care about his defense at all, lol. He's still only 19, and you can always teach defense, but you can't teach this kid's love for the big moment, let alone that silky smooth shot of his.  Jameer Nelson is getting minutes and he can't guard anyone, Thornton and Turner are about average in this regard (at best), as well, and KO is meh (even though he's improved on that end so far this year). It's not like Young is trying to break into the rotation of a contender where the only way he'll get on the floor is if he plays defense.  I don't think that Pierce was required to be a good defender as a rookie, either, because guess what - just like now, we absolutely sucked, lol.  LET HIM PLAY.

I'm with you.

LET HIM PLAY

Yeah, we tend to depict the flaws of this young players without understanding what experience/reps will give them in the future. They NEED to play, and play in the NBA, against good competition. They NEED to see how a guy like Kevin Durant plays hard every night, like Rose plays hard, like John Wall or any other young superstar plays, night in night out. The NBA is all about intensity and talent but first you have to bring it every single night.

Agreed, to an extent. You also don't want to put him in a situation that's going to risk injury, stunted growth, etc. That's exactly where Young looks to be right now, so I think the pros outweigh the cons of giving him more attention at a lower level (temporarily). Man, he looks HS skinny right now. Maybe b/c he's literally HS age lol.

[Jonny CC]

I really don't care about his defense at all, lol. He's still only 19, and you can always teach defense, but you can't teach this kid's love for the big moment, let alone that silky smooth shot of his.  Jameer Nelson is getting minutes and he can't guard anyone, Thornton and Turner are about average in this regard (at best), as well, and KO is meh (even though he's improved on that end so far this year). It's not like Young is trying to break into the rotation of a contender where the only way he'll get on the floor is if he plays defense.  I don't think that Pierce was required to be a good defender as a rookie, either, because guess what - just like now, we absolutely sucked, lol.  LET HIM PLAY.

I'm with you.

LET HIM PLAY

That makes 3 of us....LET HIM PLAY. 

[Jonny CC]

Chris Forsberg really does a great job on ESPN blog and this time he analysed James Young's performances in D-League and the aspects of his game that are keeping him from getting minutes with the Celtics.
Watching that video of Young scoring 27 points in 32 minutes I agree with Forsberg: offense is not his problem.
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4716793/james-young-and-the-restless#more

If he is so good on offense, maybe he can play for the Bruins.