Welcome to Boston, JD Davison! – Appreciation Thread (Waived July 24, 2025)

[165bows]

Prob says as much about the pro team's lob throwing ability as JD's lol
Edit: only partially kidding, JD is actually a good lob thrower, the rest, not sure who would be second best maybe Peterson or White

[cloverleaf]

I've never got why JD gets so much disrespect bordering on hate here. He's too small (measured almost an inch taller in bare feet than Chris Paul and is close to league average over the past 20 years as a PG), he's unintelligent (demonstrated by what? clearly he's an elite ball handler and passer at a young age), he lacks desire, etc., etc.

[Gant]

Davison's young and noticeably improving. He's really close to being ready to attempt making the NBA, and would have already gotten that chance if the big Celtics weren't so deep.

His height is exactly the same as Pritchard, but with completely different strengths, longer arms, and more hops.

The hopeful thing about him is the continued gain in his two greatest vulnerabilities, the 3 and the D. That 3 has to keep improving though.

There's no guarantee he'll make it with the Celtics or in the NBA, but there is a guarantee now that he'll be given a chance somewhere next season. It's more likely than not that will be in Boston, as they obviously see something in him and can't run him back on another two way.

A small guard has to adapt to the bigger bodies in the NBA, but it could happen for JD. If the Celtics ever cut him, he'd have a contract with another organization before the day was out.

[zoyathedestroya]

Congrats on winning GLeague MVP!

[31to6]

I've never got why JD gets so much disrespect bordering on hate here. He's too small (measured almost an inch taller in bare feet than Chris Paul and is close to league average over the past 20 years as a PG), he's unintelligent (demonstrated by what? clearly he's an elite ball handler and passer at a young age), he lacks desire, etc., etc.

I was a believer in JD's potential early, but have turned into one of his more consistent critics. I don't have any general comments about his size, intelligence, or desire. Here's my specific critique: he doesn't tend to make anything happen at the NBA level. He will literally stand mostly in place near the logo, dribbling the air out of the ball while the offense sort of 'runs'. He will struggle to make a basic pass to a wing or high post with 10 or fewer seconds left on the shot clock.

This shows up in the scorebook: he's only played 156 NBA minutes, and is -2.9OBPM in that time; probably likely due to his TO% of 20(!). His defense is 'fine': 0.7DBPM there, so overall -2.2BPM.

Mostly scattered garbage time minutes, no doubt. But each time I've gotten a chance to see him, that's mostly what I see happen.

I know and am psyched that in the G League, it's super different, and congrats to him on winning G League MVP! I hope I'm way off on his potential to translate at least some of that impact to the NBA level. He hasn't shot poorly in the NBA (42/35/70), and occasionally throws a good pass/lob (26 career assists).

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/davisjd01.html

[Gant]

‪Bobby Krivitsky‬

JD Davison is this year’s G League MVP. Davison hasn’t just rewritten the Maine Celtics’ record books, he’s made significant strides as a player and a leader every year.

It’s also worth noting, and I say this with his NBA future in mind, that he’s only 22.



https://bsky.app/profile/bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social/post/3lltoyt42ik2p

[redslastlaugh]

Good for JD!

[Gant]

The history of G league MVPs having real NBA careers is not very positive. Tim Frazier won it for Maine years ago, and became an NBA journeyman.

Davison has a much better frame and game for the NBA than Frazier though.

[Gant]

Bobby Manning‬

JD Davison’s MVP is a good reminder that Celtics will probably sign a 15th player over the next week or so. It’s felt all along like Drew Peterson made the most sense given his involvement in NBA games, but wonder if C’s could affirm what JD’s done over last 3 yrs with a deal.

[bisme37]

Read on Twitter

[neno]

Bobby Manning‬

JD Davison’s MVP is a good reminder that Celtics will probably sign a 15th player over the next week or so. It’s felt all along like Drew Peterson made the most sense given his involvement in NBA games, but wonder if C’s could affirm what JD’s done over last 3 yrs with a deal.

Just Do it
Can't wait for even more deserved mvp chants at the garden

[165bows]

Bobby Manning‬

JD Davison’s MVP is a good reminder that Celtics will probably sign a 15th player over the next week or so. It’s felt all along like Drew Peterson made the most sense given his involvement in NBA games, but wonder if C’s could affirm what JD’s done over last 3 yrs with a deal.

Right it’s kind of present vs future will be interesting to watch for next week.

[phincsfan]

Bobby Manning‬

JD Davison’s MVP is a good reminder that Celtics will probably sign a 15th player over the next week or so. It’s felt all along like Drew Peterson made the most sense given his involvement in NBA games, but wonder if C’s could affirm what JD’s done over last 3 yrs with a deal.

Right it’s kind of present vs future will be interesting to watch for next week.

I’d rather it be Peterson

[cloverleaf]

I've never got why JD gets so much disrespect bordering on hate here. He's too small (measured almost an inch taller in bare feet than Chris Paul and is close to league average over the past 20 years as a PG), he's unintelligent (demonstrated by what? clearly he's an elite ball handler and passer at a young age), he lacks desire, etc., etc.

I was a believer in JD's potential early, but have turned into one of his more consistent critics. I don't have any general comments about his size, intelligence, or desire. Here's my specific critique: he doesn't tend to make anything happen at the NBA level. He will literally stand mostly in place near the logo, dribbling the air out of the ball while the offense sort of 'runs'. He will struggle to make a basic pass to a wing or high post with 10 or fewer seconds left on the shot clock.

This shows up in the scorebook: he's only played 156 NBA minutes, and is -2.9OBPM in that time; probably likely due to his TO% of 20(!). His defense is 'fine': 0.7DBPM there, so overall -2.2BPM.

Mostly scattered garbage time minutes, no doubt. But each time I've gotten a chance to see him, that's mostly what I see happen.

I know and am psyched that in the G League, it's super different, and congrats to him on winning G League MVP! I hope I'm way off on his potential to translate at least some of that impact to the NBA level. He hasn't shot poorly in the NBA (42/35/70), and occasionally throws a good pass/lob (26 career assists).

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/davisjd01.html

Lots of 20-22 year-olds look like that in their first 150+ NBA minutes. He's almost exclusively gone in at garbage time, so stats are especially tricky. It is also tougher for players with more complete games (e.g., Scheierman, Davison) to get sent in to do very little.

But in the fella's young career, he has averaged 6 assts/36 at a 2/1 asst/TO ratio. Also, 12.7 points and 6 rebounds--while shooting .348 from 3, with a TS% over .580 both this year and last. He came in credited as an eager defender, and you're right, he's got positive defensive stats in the NBA so far.

[31to6]

I've never got why JD gets so much disrespect bordering on hate here. He's too small (measured almost an inch taller in bare feet than Chris Paul and is close to league average over the past 20 years as a PG), he's unintelligent (demonstrated by what? clearly he's an elite ball handler and passer at a young age), he lacks desire, etc., etc.

I was a believer in JD's potential early, but have turned into one of his more consistent critics. I don't have any general comments about his size, intelligence, or desire. Here's my specific critique: he doesn't tend to make anything happen at the NBA level. He will literally stand mostly in place near the logo, dribbling the air out of the ball while the offense sort of 'runs'. He will struggle to make a basic pass to a wing or high post with 10 or fewer seconds left on the shot clock.

This shows up in the scorebook: he's only played 156 NBA minutes, and is -2.9OBPM in that time; probably likely due to his TO% of 20(!). His defense is 'fine': 0.7DBPM there, so overall -2.2BPM.

Mostly scattered garbage time minutes, no doubt. But each time I've gotten a chance to see him, that's mostly what I see happen.

I know and am psyched that in the G League, it's super different, and congrats to him on winning G League MVP! I hope I'm way off on his potential to translate at least some of that impact to the NBA level. He hasn't shot poorly in the NBA (42/35/70), and occasionally throws a good pass/lob (26 career assists).

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/davisjd01.html

Lots of 20-22 year-olds look like that in their first 150+ NBA minutes. He's almost exclusively gone in at garbage time, so stats are especially tricky. It is also tougher for players with more complete games (e.g., Scheierman, Davison) to get sent in to do very little.

But in the fella's young career, he has averaged 6 assts/36 at a 2/1 asst/TO ratio. Also, 12.7 points and 6 rebounds--while shooting .348 from 3, with a TS% over .580 both this year and last. He came in credited as an eager defender, and you're right, he's got positive defensive stats in the NBA so far.

True that lots of guys don't make a positive impression in the NBA for awhile -- Baylor Scheierman is at 260 minutes played and counting, and the first half at least of those were pretty unremarkable -- some pass the 'know it when you see it' test a lot more but the ones who come to mind from recent decades (Rondo, Jaylen, Paul) were all 1st round picks.

Speaking of Paul, when I watch G league highlights of JD, he reminds me of him a bit. Scores a lot of different ways, a bit chunkier than your average guard, some almost-surprising 'pops' of athleticism. I've made myself promise that I won't watch much Maine footage or get excited about it though (a pledge dating back to James Young), so we'll see if and how the G league MVP award helps his career trajectory at the next level.

[itrsteve]

The history of G league MVPs having real NBA careers is not very positive. Tim Frazier won it for Maine years ago, and became an NBA journeyman.

Davison has a much better frame and game for the NBA than Frazier though.

Yeah it's not too hot of a list. I suppose it really shows there are levels to talent

https://gleague.nba.com/historical-g-league-award-winners

[Shak_Celts]

I came to terms with no JD nba time earlier this season because they never called him up no matter who was out. No matter how much they raved about him, they did, he still never came up for garbage minutes. Jrue said he’s an NBA player, but if he is it’s going to be it will be for someone else.


I had high hopes for him, I want it to be with us so much. They just broke my heart this season. He’s only 22!!!!!!!!

[cloverleaf]

I came to terms with no JD nba time earlier this season because they never called him up no matter who was out. No matter how much they raved about him, they did, he still never came up for garbage minutes. Jrue said he’s an NBA player, but if he is it’s going to be it will be for someone else.


I had high hopes for him, I want it to be with us so much. They just broke my heart this season. He’s only 22!!!!!!!!

Just to be clear, Jrue didn't say, "...but if he is it's going to be...for someone else". Jrue btw is the only C with a higher career assist rate than JD has so far.

[ConstableGeneva]

via @RealBobManning:

Mazzulla on JD MVP: "It's always tough being here because we're balancing winning & development at the same time ... his leadership has really grown, and his ability to impact the game in different ways ... ball pressure ... more comfortable playing with (and without) the ball"

[Smart2Nesmith43]

The history of G league MVPs having real NBA careers is not very positive. Tim Frazier won it for Maine years ago, and became an NBA journeyman.

Davison has a much better frame and game for the NBA than Frazier though.

With the introduction of the two way contracts (and the third one being added recently) plus every NBA team getting a G-League affiliate the standard of play has risen dramatically in recent seasons though so you would expect the most recent MVPs to be translate better. Chris Boucher has carved out a nice career and Paul Reed looked like an NBA player until the Sixers ruined his development (shocker I know). A lot of guys winning it were also in their primes already not 22 so I don't think it's as bad as it would seem at first glance.