James Young2.JPG
James Young says Brad Stevens has been "on him" about improving his defense.
((AP Photo/Kathy Willens))
Nothing seems to drive NBA scouts quite as crazy as a prospect with measurably great physical attributes. Reports from pre-draft workouts always seem to include fever-pitched excitement regarding how high a prospect can jump, how long his arms are, and whether it looks like a skinny, athletic kid will be able to grow into his frame.
James Young's measurables are excellent. He's 6'6 bordering on 6'7 with a legitimate 7'0 wing span that helped him finish around the rim and elevate over defenders on the offensive end in college. But when the Celtics took him at 17, they weren't just banking on his quantifiable offensive success. They also want to see Young's wingspan come into play is on the defensive end. After all, a pair of long, gangly arms waiving in a shooter's face can cover a multitude of errors, and rookie defenders are known for making a multitude of errors.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens, apparently, has let Young know which area of his game the Celtics want him to improve the most over the summer.
From A. Sherrod Blakely at CSNNE:
Kentucky coach John Calipari is, of course, a master of not only getting his players ready for the NBA in one year, but also a master of selling NBA teams on his players. With Young, half of Calipari's work was already complete when Young showed up with arms that hang seemingly past his knees and a serviceable jumper. Most of the rest of Cal's work was done when Young pounded home his massive dunk over UConn in the NCAA Finals. Athleticism, length, scoring and youth? Young's only downfall as a prospect was being a member of the 2014 draft class, where he slipped much farther than he would have in just about any other year.
Young, however, is objectively not a good defender yet. He's inattentive, he's frequently late recovering to shooters, and he has a tendency to reach around defenders who beat him rather than fighting to stay in front of them.
All of these defensive problems are tendencies you'll see from teenagers at the local YMCA, and all are tendencies that will need correction as soon as possible at the NBA level. If they aren't, Young might be regarding in much the same way James Harden is, and it would take a minor miracle for Young to ever be as productive offensively as Harden.
But as frustrating as the word "potential" can be, Young has it in droves. Stevens has his work cut out for him with his newest small forward, but if he can help Young tie his potential together with a higher defensive IQ, Boston's already potent defensive backcourt — which currently includes fellow rookie Marcus Smart as well as ball-hawk Avery Bradley — will be extremely hard to break through.
As well they should be — Boston's 2014-15 rim protection involves some combination of Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk and Tyler Zeller. That, however, is a story for a different day.