Melo Called Up

I just saw this on Hoops Rumors:

Celtics Recall Fab Melo From D-League
January 2 at 10:48am CST By Luke Adams

The Celtics have recalled Fab Melo from their D-League affiliate, the team announced today in a press release. Melo has spent most of the season with the Maine Red Claws, with his most recent stint having begun on December 12th.

Melo, one of two players selected in the first round last June by the Celtics, had a particularly impressive pair of games for the Red Claws last week, posting a triple-double on December 22nd (15 points, 16 rebounds, 14 blocks), and then recording 32 points, nine rebounds, and nine blocks on December 26th. For the season, he has averaged 10.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 3.8 BPG in Maine.

Melo is currently day-to-day with a mild concussion, and Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com speculates that the big man was recalled to ensure that he's treated by the Celtics' training staff (Twitter link).

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The fact that Melo has a concussion but was called up nonetheless indicates that the Celtics are serious about giving him a chance. Hopefully, they'll get an opportunity to see how he fits in by January 15, which is when Brandon Bass becomes eligible to be traded. Forsberg may be correct in speculating that Melo was brought up only so the Celtics training staff can treat him. Otherwise, although entrusting the backup center job to him would definitely not be my first choice, I've said repeatedly that whatever Danny decides if okay with me and I'd be Melo's biggest booster if he were called up.

Whatever the callup is about, good luck, Fab.

Sam

Or are the showcasing him????? Funny, Heinsohn or Marshall said the other night that the Celtics might have been showcasing Sully. Then again, I believe nothing that Marshall says.

Rosalie

Good...I am glad to hear this. Melo has a long way to go but this is a good first step. A few minutes per game wilol not hurt the team.

dboss

I wouldn't read to much into it. It's pretty much standard operating proceedure that you want your prized draft picks seen by your medical staff when injured. If he's recently concussed and not ready for D league play he's probably got a while to sit.

NYCELT

That is certainly one possibility but perhaps he is being called up because they plan to actually play him.

dboss