Young should start the year in the D-League

[fandrew]

I would love for James Young to start the year in the D-League where he could get 30 minutes a game for a few months. I like his game and I want him to develop, I just feel that he would be lost behind Green and Wallace at the 3, and Bradely, Smart and Thornton at the 2.

If he starts the season, he will probably get 10-15 minutes a game. Which is not bad. But rather than simply having the chance to be with the team and practice with the team, I believe he would benefit more working on his game everyday in the D-league.

He has a lot of raw potential to go along with a pretty good shot and good size. I would like to see he work on his defense, work on his ball handling--both driving to the rim, and dribbling with his right hand.

Between having more practice time and game time experience, I think that by early February he could be more ready to play the NBA game. Perhaps be a good spark off the bench as a three and D type of guy for a bit.

[erisred]

Hummm, well, I'd like Young to come into training camp and play so well that he takes the starting job at one of the wing spots. 

But, yeah, if that doesn't happen then I expect him to be on the Maine Shuttle for a lot of the season.

[nickagneta]

Can't see Young getting even the 10-15 mpg that the OP suggested. He is just too raw and needs time. I say he gets a ton of DNP-CDs or is just not dressed for most games until he goes to the NBDL and plays the year in Maine.

[Eja117]

I think considering he missed summer league and might be a bit out of shape now playing down there for a month and a half after camp ends might make a lot of sense, rather than be just crushed at the NBA level like a lot of rookies were last year...Otto Porter and Alex Len come to mind.

They can easily call him up if there's an injury.  But maybe just starting there would be fine.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Agree.

Even though I think he can make a little impact with his shooting, if he's not getting any playing time with the main roster, let him get the burn and experience in the D-League. Better than just sitting down doing nothing.

But of course, we have to let him earn a spot in training camp. And then assign him to Maine if it looks like he's not ready yet. 

[BleedGreen1989]

I agree and I think that's the likely scenario.

I live in the Portland area so no complaints from me. Tickets are dirt cheap and I'd love to watch Young in action throughout his rookie campaign.

[Celtics4ever]

Depends how he does in camp. I do not think anyone should be earmarked for an assignment until they have went through the process.   What if he is the best  ( not likely), but within the realm of possible, SF on the team?

[Donoghus]

I'd agree with this.

The way the roster is currently constituted, I don't see him getting a lot of playing time on the C's roster.

Let him get his feet underneath himself in the D-League.

[Evantime34]

Depends how our roster shakes out. If it's how it is now to start the year I think he should stay in the d league to get reps, but if we end up trading Rondo and going full rebuild then I'm fine force feeding him minutes.

[Moranis]

I'd rather just play Young than Thornton and Wallace.  Frankly, I might rather play Young than Bradley.  Young's shooting is an incredible need next to Rondo and Smart and I'd much rather just develop him than anyone else on the roster, since I think Young has a long and very real future on the team. 

[manl_lui]

wouldn't hurt, considering how there is a log jam at the guard position and Green and Wallace at SF.

The guard rotation is at least Rondo/Bradley/Smart/Thorton/Pressey or some sort

SF rotation is Green/Wallace

might as well let him develop his game in the D League than collect dust on the Celtics bench

[Donoghus]

I'd rather just play Young than Thornton and Wallace.  Frankly, I might rather play Young than Bradley.  Young's shooting is an incredible need next to Rondo and Smart and I'd much rather just develop him than anyone else on the roster, since I think Young has a long and very real future on the team.

I'd try to go the "pump & dump" route with Thornton.  Much like they did with Crawford last season. 

You can always bring along Young the second half of the season.

[thehumburger]

While it's a likely possibility, it's still so premature to be designating anyone to Maine at this point considering we haven't even seen how he fares against summer league competition. It will also have a lot to do with the direction the team goes with trades, i.e. if we ship out Bass, Green, or even Rondo and embrace the lottery again or not.

[blink]

Have we had other players in the past who significantly benefited from going to the D-league?  I know AB went to Maine for a while, but I don't know that it had a huge impact either way.  Last year we shipped el Hombre to Maine and he never came back (injury).  Fab Melo was sent to Maine and didn't really get any better.

I guess I am just wondering if it even helps that much?  Since there is such a large talent gap between the nba and the d-league, it is a shock and adjustment once they come back to the Celtics anyway.  I guess for a big man / center who is a long term project and hasn't really grown into his body and isn't prepared I get it.  For Young, I am not so sure.  I mean he was projected as a 10-15 pick originally.  Are we such an awesome team that we should send him to Maine?  I would like to see him get minutes before Thorton myself. 

[Who]

I'd rather just play Young than Thornton and Wallace.  Frankly, I might rather play Young than Bradley.  Young's shooting is an incredible need next to Rondo and Smart and I'd much rather just develop him than anyone else on the roster, since I think Young has a long and very real future on the team.

I'd try to go the "pump & dump" route with Thornton.  Much like they did with Crawford last season. 

You can always bring along Young the second half of the season.

I think you'd have to give Thornton upwards of 30 minutes a game for that to work.