Young or Hunter

[Future Celtics Owner]

Young has looked good so far, relative to his past play. He is in better position in help defense and has showed some potential in transition. I still think he has a long way to go with the mental aspect of the game.

Young can shoot the ball but isn't good at moving to open spaces to get quality looks, that is why his 3 point percentage is low despite having a good looking stroke.

RJ is already better at moving to an open space to get himself open, he understands where to be in help defense already.

The only argument that makes sense for Young playing over RJ is that Young has higher upside because he is younger, bigger, more athletic and has a higher release on his jumper.

I think his 3 point percentage reflects his confidence when playing in the NBA. Summer League and other NBA games do not reflect how nasty of a 3point shooter he is.

[Vermont Green]

If I were the coach/GM, I would continue to play Young to see if he can continue to build on he recent improvements.  That doesn't mean that Hunter doesn't play at all but I see a lot of value of continuing to have Young get on the court so long as he continues to trend in a positive direction.

The only caveat to that would be if Hunter is blowing Young away in practice but I doubt that will happen.  I want to see where Young can go based on the recent momentum and I feel like if Young sits now, it will be a step back.  That may not be the case in a few weeks but right now, I want to see Young play some every game.

[Donoghus]

I like Young, but for the life of me I have no clue why "everyone seems to be pretty happy with how Young has played".

It's mind boggling honestly.

I think if you look at the box score, you say, "What's the big deal?" But if you watch the games, he is really involved, especially defensively, rebounding, etc.  The other guys are not looking for him much on offense. Frankly, that may change soon, because other teams are leaving him alone a lot more in the corner, and I am highly confident that he is going to make a lot of those shots once the team integrates him into the game plan.  I think Stevens has done an absolutely masterful job of coaching this kid back into a confident looking player.  Also credit to Young for not giving up, preparing.

I've watched the games.  I agree that he doesn't look as lost before but I'm also not quite seeing what has a contingent of these boards all excited, either.

[rollie mass]

just went back and watched hunters draft express-the kid is using all the tools that he allready had and they work just as well at pro level-he is a whole other animal than young-they mention fluidity lateral speed ,passing instincts, timing off screens,handling the ball in transition-length and ability to alter shots after being beat and his ability to pick ball away from bigs and interdict in passing lanes-hunter is a basketball player-

[BadNewsBarnes]

Agree that Young has looked better lately but if I had to choose I'd take Hunter.  In addition to his shooting range he's a much better passer than Young and possesses a higher basketball IQ - you can tell he's a coaches son. 

Still early but I like what I see of Hunter.  He may end being one of the steals of the draft. 

[Celtics18]

Is RJ active for tonight's contest?

[rollie mass]

rebounding is easy ,its getting over screens-not going under like he did with mcdermot or not getting back and allowing breakaway-he gets blown bye-

[Quetzalcoatl]

I have watched every game this year and have to say that Hunter clearly looks better to me, like no debate.  I think Young has a hype train and people aren't looking at him objectively.  He is a hustle player at best.  There is a chance he puts it together like Gerald Green, but I don't think he'll start to become a real player for like 3 or 4 years minimum.

RJ on the other hand can shoot better than just about anyone on our team right now.  He looks confident and sure of himself.  His passing is excellent and I am really surprised by his defense.  He has the tools where if he can come up with a few, reliable moves, I think he can be a starter in a couple of years.  He just needs to learn to take it to the other team every play. James Young I think can be an ok bench player in 4. 

Young has no go to moves and looks like he just drank 4 Red Bulls before every game, but in a bad way.  He has nothing that looks like will develop into a go to move. He has nothing he can exploit into an offensive advantage.  His defense is ok, but he's probably the 11th best defender on our team right now.  Cool, he did good in the tournament and Bill Simmons pumped his fist when he was drafted.  It would be great if he were good.  I just don't see it happening any time soon.

Also, to the "did you watch the games?" crowd - RJ Hunter was doing all the stuff I see James Young getting praised for, but he was also jump shooting and not looking lost while doing it.  If he wasn't doing better in practice, he wouldn't have gotten first shot at the minutes over Young and Rozier in the first place.  Young is already RJ's backup and RJ has been in the league 2 months.

[ssspence]

I like Young, but for the life of me I have no clue why "everyone seems to be pretty happy with how Young has played".

It's mind boggling honestly.

I think if you look at the box score, you say, "What's the big deal?" But if you watch the games, he is really involved, especially defensively, rebounding, etc.  The other guys are not looking for him much on offense. Frankly, that may change soon, because other teams are leaving him alone a lot more in the corner, and I am highly confident that he is going to make a lot of those shots once the team integrates him into the game plan.  I think Stevens has done an absolutely masterful job of coaching this kid back into a confident looking player.  Also credit to Young for not giving up, preparing.

I've watched the games.  I agree that he doesn't look as lost before but I'm also not quite seeing what has a contingent of these boards all excited, either.

Wouldn't say I'm excited. More like, "wait, maybe all is not lost here."

I'd like to see Yoing continue to get a nightly chance to the tune of 10-15 mins, provided he can continue to improve defensively -- see if he can find his stroke.

[jambr380]

Hunter is obviously the better player right now, but Young is finally showing signs of not being totally useless and that is what has people excited. Of course he is supposed to be known for his shooting and athleticism, but what is really interesting is that he is getting minutes based on his defensive ability - which is crazy.

I think Young will continue to get some minutes because that is how players develop (he already tears it up in the D-League), but Hunter will and should get his spot back in the rotation as we are in win-now mode.

I am just happy to see Young improving to the point that he is taking JJ's minutes - he is still super young and even though it is a small step forward, it is still progress.

[max215]

RJ. He has it.

[Future Celtics Owner]

I have watched every game this year and have to say that Hunter clearly looks better to me, like no debate.  I think Young has a hype train and people aren't looking at him objectively.  He is a hustle player at best.  There is a chance he puts it together like Gerald Green, but I don't think he'll start to become a real player for like 3 or 4 years minimum.

RJ on the other hand can shoot better than just about anyone on our team right now.  He looks confident and sure of himself.  His passing is excellent and I am really surprised by his defense.  He has the tools where if he can come up with a few, reliable moves, I think he can be a starter in a couple of years.  He just needs to learn to take it to the other team every play. James Young I think can be an ok bench player in 4. 

Young has no go to moves and looks like he just drank 4 Red Bulls before every game, but in a bad way.  He has nothing that looks like will develop into a go to move. He has nothing he can exploit into an offensive advantage.  His defense is ok, but he's probably the 11th best defender on our team right now.  Cool, he did good in the tournament and Bill Simmons pumped his fist when he was drafted.  It would be great if he were good.  I just don't see it happening any time soon.

Also, to the "did you watch the games?" crowd - RJ Hunter was doing all the stuff I see James Young getting praised for, but he was also jump shooting and not looking lost while doing it.  If he wasn't doing better in practice, he wouldn't have gotten first shot at the minutes over Young and Rozier in the first place.  Young is already RJ's backup and RJ has been in the league 2 months.

Young is already RJ's backup and RJ has been in the league 2 months.

[/b]
RJ is also almost exactly 2 years older than Young. I like RJ a lot and the 2 are not mutually exclusive but Young was picked as a project and only started playing defense at Kentucky; while like you said RJ is the son of a d1 coach and happens to have 2 years on Young. So I would expect and did expect for RJ to have more experience and better bbiq etc. I want both to be the best they can but they are 2 dif types of prospects even though they play the same position(Young is a shooting guard IMO and hopefully we get a 3 that is tall and long for the future).

Young has no go to moves and looks like he just drank 4 Red Bulls before every game, but in a bad way.  He has nothing that looks like will develop into a go to move. He has nothing he can exploit into an offensive advantage

[/b]

I agree with you about the 4 cans of redbull, that is a mental and confidence issue. IMO playing time, even 20min a game or 15) will help tremendously with his mentality, confidence, and development.
The rest I can't understand. "He has nothing to exploit into an offensive advantage", how about the 3 pointer and the ability to get his shot-off.

[Atzar]

I like Young, but for the life of me I have no clue why "everyone seems to be pretty happy with how Young has played".

It's mind boggling honestly.

I think if you look at the box score, you say, "What's the big deal?" But if you watch the games, he is really involved, especially defensively, rebounding, etc.  The other guys are not looking for him much on offense. Frankly, that may change soon, because other teams are leaving him alone a lot more in the corner, and I am highly confident that he is going to make a lot of those shots once the team integrates him into the game plan.  I think Stevens has done an absolutely masterful job of coaching this kid back into a confident looking player.  Also credit to Young for not giving up, preparing.

I've watched the games.  I agree that he doesn't look as lost before but I'm also not quite seeing what has a contingent of these boards all excited, either.

Tangible improvement is all it is.  Young didn't look like an NBA player last year.  This year, he's playing significant stretches and holding his own - even making some good plays for us at times.

He's not good yet, but he's much closer than he was before.

[ssspence]

I like Young, but for the life of me I have no clue why "everyone seems to be pretty happy with how Young has played".

It's mind boggling honestly.

I think if you look at the box score, you say, "What's the big deal?" But if you watch the games, he is really involved, especially defensively, rebounding, etc.  The other guys are not looking for him much on offense. Frankly, that may change soon, because other teams are leaving him alone a lot more in the corner, and I am highly confident that he is going to make a lot of those shots once the team integrates him into the game plan.  I think Stevens has done an absolutely masterful job of coaching this kid back into a confident looking player.  Also credit to Young for not giving up, preparing.

I've watched the games.  I agree that he doesn't look as lost before but I'm also not quite seeing what has a contingent of these boards all excited, either.

Tangible improvement is all it is.  Young didn't look like an NBA player last year.  This year, he's playing significant stretches and holding his own - even making some good plays for us at times.

He's not good yet, but he's much closer than he was before.

Precisely. Not sure why this is complicated?

[SHAQATTACK]

Give me a few hours to consider this very very difficult question .......