James Young Working Hard On Footwork, Other Deficiencies

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2014/10/james_young_working_hard_on_fo.html#incart_story_package




James Young working hard on footwork, other deficiencies for Boston Celtics



Print Jay King | mjking@masslive.com By Jay King | mjking@masslive.com
on October 05, 2014 at 2:05 PM





WALTHAM – Though James Young possesses beautiful shooting form from the waist up, the Boston Celtics coaches want him to achieve consistency with his feet.

“In college, even at the 3-point line, he shot it and it didn’t look like there was any effort going into it. He’s a smooth shooter,” head coach Brad Stevens said before Sunday's practice. “He’s just going to get better. When his footwork is consistent, he’s a lights-out shooter. And he’s really been working on that.”

As the coach spoke, Young ran through shooting drills at the practice facility. The rookie turned heads by drilling back-to-back 3s – including one while getting fouled – during Friday night’s scrimmage, but still isn’t considered nearly a finished product.

Danny Ainge recently told the Boston Globe that the Celtics still “don’t know what we have” in Young and don’t hold "really high" expectations for his rookie season. But Ainge considers the lefty “a great surprise” through the first week of practice and has high hopes for his career.

Said Stevens: “He’s got to continue to grow in the other areas. I think everybody gets excited because he hits a couple 3s in a row. He’s still got a ways to go, but to his credit he is working hard to get there quicker.”

With a host of veterans competing for minutes on the wing, it's unclear whether Young will progress enough to make an impact this season. His shooting and athleticism both stood out Friday, though, and continue to make him an intriguing long-term prospect.




bob




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I'm hoping Young will make an substantial impact in terms of honing his skills, whether with the parent club or up in Maine (or is it down Maine, gyso?).

Sam