JD Davison begins his life with the Boston Celtics with one basic understanding. As the 53rd pick in the draft by a team that came within two games of winning the NBA title, the 19-year-old point guard has lots of time to develop.
And beyond a starting point guard role on the Celtics summer league team, beginning with a game Saturday against the Bucks in Las Vegas, Davison is looking forward to a chance to take something from the likes of Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brodgon and Derrick White once training camp begins next fall.
“I can say that working every day, going against a guy like Marcus Smart, and also Malcolm is going to be a new one here, so just going and just working every day, getting better and knowing (when) my name is called it’ll be my time,” the Celtics rookie said after Tuesday’s practice at the Auerbach Center.”
Asked about what he can take away from Smart, last season’s Defensive Player of the Year, Davison said, “Just like his defensive IQ is like way above everybody else as I can say. I’m just learning every player’s details and what they do and how they play.
“Long term, I would say (I’m) between the point guard and the combo guard just because I know I can pass, I can score, and I can defend, so really don’t matter where I’m at, on the ball or off the ball, I’m just going to be a dog on both ends of the court.”
Davison left Alabama for the draft after his freshman season – Brad Stevens pointed out that Davison was only a year removed from his high school graduation on the night of the draft – with the belief that the NBA’s style would be better-suited to his game.
“My season at Alabama didn’t go as well as I wanted to, but I think I had spurts of what I showed and what I can do at the NBA level,” he said. “My decision was because the NBA floor is so spaced out for a dynamic guard like me, I think it was the best for me to go out and go to the draft.”
WILL HARDY, after only one season as Ime Udoka’s lead assistant, was introduced as head coach of the Utah Jazz last week. No one, including Celtics assistant and summer league coach Ben Sullivan, expected it to take long.
“Will and I worked together in the video room in San Antonio in my very first year in the league, so I’ve known Will since I started working in the NBA,” said Sullivan. “So, high IQ, high-character guy, hard-worker, understands offensive and defensive concepts. He’s got the whole package.”
GRANT WILLIAMS raised his profile among NBA referees after emerging as one for the league’s great young complainers, actually refereed Tuesday’s summer league scrimmage.
Perhaps out of deference, none of the summer leaguers challenge their esteemed senior teammate.
“It’s good for Grant to see how hard officiating actually is so that when he’s hard on them, he can have a better perspective,” said a smiling Sullivan. “No one can give him as hard a time as he gives the refs.”
Copy the Story LinkSend questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.