JD Davison is already a Maine Celtics legend — but he wants more

PORTLAND, MAINE — A raucous Portland Expo crowd rose to its toes as JD Davison sunk a free throw, a shot that cemented his place because the Maine Celtics’ all-time main scorer.

In simply over two G League seasons, Davison has scored 1597 factors, eclipsing the earlier franchise mark of 1591 factors held by Chris Wright.

The scoring report is considerably of an unorthodox accomplishment; on one hand, it captures Davison’s constant G League excellence. On the opposite, it highlights the very fact he’s nonetheless faraway from his final aim of enjoying within the NBA on a normal deal.

Davison, who was drafted with the No. 53 decide within the 2022 draft, is at present on his third consecutive two-way contract with the Celtics. As soon as once more, he’s spending most of his time with the workforce’s G League affiliate, a minimum of within the early days of the season.

In Portland, he attracts by far the loudest applause upon being launched within the beginning lineup. After video games, followers clamor for his autograph or an opportunity to say good day.

“All-time scoring report — that’s powerful!” one fan bellowed in direction of the 6’1 guard on Friday evening.

“JD Davison, the NBA champion,” yelled one other.

Davison, in any case, has turn out to be the indeniable cornerstone of the G League franchise — a well-known face that the passionate native followers cherish. As NBA gamers have shuffled out and in of Maine — present Celtics rotation gamers Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta have been each beloved Maine guys final season — Davison has remained a gentle presence in Portland.

“He’s a fan favourite,” mentioned Maine Celtics head coach Tyler Lashbrook, who’s in his first season as head coach.

On Friday evening, the Celtics have been blown out by the Westchester Knicks, 127-100. They trailed by as many as 49 factors. The gang didn’t have as a lot to cheer for as standard, however the gymnasium was nonetheless inundated with followers till the ultimate buzzer.

“You gotta love the Expo crowd,” Davison mentioned postgame. “Everyone comes out — they all the time assist.”

Throughout the board, Davison has solely gotten higher 12 months after 12 months. As a 20-year-old rookie, he averaged 13.2 factors and seven.7 assists; final season, these numbers elevated to 21.5 factors and eight.5 assists.

This season, he got here out sizzling out of the gate, posting two consecutive 30+ level outings. Because the workforce’s major facilitator and sport supervisor, he’s averaging 11.7 assists by way of three video games.

When the season started, Davison had no concept that he was only a few video games away from turning into Maine’s all-time scoring chief.

“I didn’t know nothing about it,” Davison mentioned. “I simply come out and attempt to do my job each day, put my greatest foot ahead. Simply grateful for it, actually. It’s a giant accomplishment.”

Davison is a person of few phrases. His postgame remarks are usually succinct, however all the time variety and respectful. He’s grown into extra of a pacesetter by way of his G League tenure, but it surely’s apparent that his pure demeanor is to be reserved.

In a approach, he’s a celebrity. However he doesn’t deal with his teammates or members of the Maine Celtics group with any form of an ego.

“I attempt to go away my little mark on all people, attempt to be thankful for all people,” Davison mentioned with a smile. “Like Jayson Tatum, I might say — I attempt to deal with all people the identical.”

JD Davison’s pathway towards a normal NBA contract is an uphill climb

Davison has signed three two-way contracts, with a complete mixed complete worth of $1,647,250. Notably, he’s the primary participant in NBA historical past to signal three consecutive two-way contracts with the identical group — and this season is the final time he’ll be eligible to play on a two-way.

So, he’s not shy about outright stating his aim: a fully-guaranteed NBA contract.

“Coming into Yr 3, I’m simply making an attempt to construct a special sort of function going into this 12 months,” Davison mentioned. “Attempt to get signed — mainly, attempt to get a full contract.”

The third-year guard took benefit of elevated preseason alternatives with the Celtics. He appeared in all 5 of Boston’s preseason video games, averaging 7 factors and a pair of.4 assists per sport, whereas taking pictures 45.5% from the sphere and 42.9% from three. His preseason run was punctuated by a 12-point explosion within the ultimate 5 minutes of the Celtics loss to the Raptors on October fifteenth, by which he practically helped the mother or father membership erase a double-digit deficit.

Davison started the G League season out with a bang, averaging 30.5 factors and 14 assists within the first two video games of exhibition play. However, simply because he’s improved, doesn’t essentially imply there’s a possibility in Boston.

The Celtics’ backcourt is crowded and teeming with expertise; Jrue Vacation and Derrick White are each Olympic guards and two of the most effective defenders within the sport, whereas Payton Pritchard is having a breakout season by which he’s began to seem like a beginning guard, too.

It’s a logjam for minutes and alternatives that Joe Mazzulla has spoken candidly about on quite a few events.

“There’s nothing more durable than being a younger participant with the Celtics,” Mazzulla mentioned final month. “The younger guys need to be very, very affected person — as a result of the roster may be very top-heavy.”

Mazzulla mentioned each Davison and fellow two-way participant Drew Peterson have noticeably improved since final season.

“They’ve gotten higher as gamers,” Mazzulla mentioned. “However whenever you’re on this state of affairs with the Celtics group, it may be onerous to see the expansion. You simply form of need to be affected person.”

For now, Davison is concentrated on being the most effective participant he may be in Maine

JD Davison is each the franchise’s all-time factors and assists chief and e’s simply 10 steals away from turning into the franchise’s all-time steals chief. Final season, he was named to the All-NBA G-League third workforce.

He’s achieved virtually all the things one can obtain within the G-League.

In Maine, Tyler Lashbrook has changed Blaine Mueller, who served because the workforce’s head coach final season, however is now an assistant coach for Charles Lee with the Charlotte Hornets.

“I’m simply all the time impressed with him and his maturity, and his progress, and his potential to develop 12 months over 12 months,” mentioned Tyler Lashbrook. “He deserves all these information, and he means lots right here. I’ve realized that fairly shortly.”

Davison mentioned that the 2 head coaches — who spent final 12 months’s playoff run collectively in Boston — are comparable of their method. One obvious similarity is how each converse glowingly concerning the flooring common; Mueller constantly praised Davison’s management and basketball IQ to the media final season.

“[I] see numerous similarities with him and Blaine. They have been shut, particularly in Boston,” Davison mentioned. “One of many guys that trusts in me lots. [He] lets me run the present, so one of many guys I admire.”

Davison mentioned he attracts numerous confidence from Joe Mazzulla and Brad Stevens, each of whom he’s in common communications with. He is aware of and appreciated that they wished him again on a two-way after they may have gone again to the drafting board and provided the chance to another person.

Finally, Davison’s dream of turning into a full-time NBA participant is rooted in a want to supply a greater life for his household. He’s going to work endlessly to make that occur, and at 22 years previous, he’s nonetheless one of many youthful guys on the Maine squad.

“I discuss to my household each day,” Davison mentioned. “I simply wish to change their life-style.”