James Young is Focused on Defense

It is no secret that the Boston Celtics need to improve on the defensive end and it is no secret that solid defensive performances will earn players minutes. Evan Turner, Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart and Jae Crowder all earned some of the biggest roles in the rotation and it is because of their defensive play.

Turner had 2.4 turnovers per game, Smart and Bradley were both limited in their ability to score and Jae Crowder shot the three under 30% and yet, all four of them were in the top 6 in minutes per game on the team.

Brad Stevens has established an offensive system that does a great job of optimizing limited talent and that gives the team a lot more freedom to give minutes to standout defensive players.

Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens and guard Marcus Smart (36) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Celtics defeats the Suns 115-110. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

James Young is one of the only players that saw next to no minutes a season ago and he has realized that defense is the best way to get him into the rotation. Danny Ainge had this to say when discussing Young: “He really came out and got the message that defense was important”.

The Celtics got their best defensive production out of their guards and they cannot afford to lose that edge. If Young wants to earn minutes at the shooting guard position then he cannot be a huge drop off from Bradley, Turner and Smart.

The problem is that Young needs to be significantly improved. His time in the NBA is too small of a sample size but he was far from a defensive standout in college. His stats are not too troubling but a defensive rating and 104.3 with a defensive box plus minus of 0.8 while playing in college is not a good sign for the NBA.

Young has clearly made a concentrated effort to elevate his play on the defensive end and that alone will be enough to earn him a more significant role.

Young has never been given an adequate opportunity to show case what he can do on the offensive end in the NBA. Playing solid defense is how Young will earn those opportunities. Offensive potential may never be enough to get Young in the Celtics’ rotation but strong defense will be enough.

Oct 22, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) and guard James Young (13) work for the rebound against Brooklyn Nets forward Cory Jefferson (21) in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

As tough as it was for Young to get minutes last year it may be even more difficult this year. Not only does he have to continue to deal with Smart, Bradley, Turner and Thomas but now he also has to deal with Hunter and Rozier. The Celtics have too many guard options to continually play a defensive liability.

Hunter may not yet be a threat on the defensive end but Rozier certainly can be. The extra edge Young has is his offensive potential. Young has an opportunity to be one of the better scorers on the Celtics but it will be predicated on strong defensive play.

The Celtics already have to deal with Thomas being a defensive drop off but his offensive production is more than worth it. Young is not yet at a point where his offensive production is worth the defensive drop off and he may never reach those offensive heights if he does not give himself opportunities by being a strong defensive player.

James Young is one of the many talented guards the Celtics have and much of this season will be about separating from the pack. The Celtics are in a great position to get exactly what they need from the guard position and there is no doubting that defense will be a huge part of the equation.

Danny ainge has noticed that Young has the right mentality but that will not be enough if he does not get results on the court. Young can be one of the more exciting players on the Celtics but no one will get to see that excitement if he is a liability on the defensive end.

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