Robb: Utah Summer League Takeaways For The Celtics
LAS VEGAS (CBS) – The Celtics left Salt Lake City with a 3-0 record in the books despite a shorthanded week that included injuries to Jordan Mickey, R.J. Hunter and Jaylen Brown. With half of summer league in the books, here are a few takeaways from the team's performance in Utah.
James Young shows signs of life – The 20-year-old wing demonstrated limited upside during his first two years in a Celtics uniform and that's something that has to change this summer if he wants to remain on the roster next season. In Utah, he took a few baby steps on that front, averaging 11.7 points per game and more importantly 66.7 percent shooting from downtown (8-of-12). The 6-foot-7 guard still has not shown significant progress in other parts of his game, but Danny Ainge is still in the market for outside shooting. That's one part of Young's game that could help Boston right away if he continue to proves to the Boston brass he's turned the corner on that front. His roster spot could depend on it.
Terry Rozier can do a little bit of everything now - Summer league stats don't count for much in the big picture, but it's worth noting that Rozier finished in the top-5 in Utah summer league in points, rebounds and assists per game. Only Spurs forward Kyle Anderson also completed that feat over three games in Salt Lake City. While the Celtics mostly depended on Rozier as a change-of-pace player and defender during his rookie season, his ability to impact all aspects of the game could put him in heavy competition for minutes in a crowded Celtics backcourt next season.
Malcolm Miller might be playing his way onto an NBA roster – The Holy Cross alum grinded it out in the D-League with the Maine Red Claws last season, but he's showing the kind of versatility that could make him an option for a NBA team at the bottom of the roster. Boston won't have room for him given their crowded depth chart at the wing, but 23-year-old is strong defensively, a competent 3-point shooter and is showing the intangibles that makes him a viable option in the league.
Brian Robb covers the Celtics for CBS Boston and contributes to NBA.com, among other media outlets. You can follow him on Twitter @CelticsHub.
