BOSTON — Again at TD Backyard for the primary time since he was waived in July, JD Davison mirrored on a three-year Celtics tenure that didn’t arrange an NBA breakthrough — however nonetheless ready him for one more alternative in Houston.
Forward of the Celtics’ 128-101 loss to the Rockets on Saturday night time, Davison expressed his gratitude for the years he spent with the Celtics, whereas pulling again the curtain on what went down this previous summer time in a dialog with CLNS Media/CelticsBlog.
Davison was waived in July, just some weeks after the Celtics picked up his group possibility. The 23-year-old stated that he had a heads-up that the Celtics would waive him earlier than the second yr of a two-year deal that briefly made him a full-time NBA participant forward of final postseason.
That arrange a chance to signal a fourth two-way cope with Houston, the place he reunited with Ime Udoka, the previous Celtics head coach who was on the helm when the Celtics drafted Davison with the 53rd general decide in 2022.
“My agent was forward of it and instructed me all the pieces,” Davison stated. “We have been 2-3 steps forward of it, so I virtually knew all the pieces (throughout the offseason). We have been speaking… we have been at all times wanting right here and simply discovered the suitable place for me.”
Davison thrived this preseason to start his yr with the Rockets
In 4 preseason video games, Davison averaged 10.5 factors, 2.5 rebounds, and three.5 assists in 21 minutes per sport, whereas taking pictures 48.4% from the sector and 47.1% from three.
“He’s been nice,” Ime Udoka instructed reporters at coaching camp, per The Rockets Wire. “Very aggressive, handles properly, makes good selections out of the decide and roll. He’s a giant physique who can decide up full courtroom, so he brings aggression on each side of the ball.”
That hasn’t but translated to regular-season taking part in time by Houston’s 2-2 begin, however he’s been energetic in all 4 video games. Place to begin guard Fred VanVleet tore his ACL early in coaching camp, and as such, extra alternatives are anticipated to be accessible on the guard place stays to be seen.
Up to now, Davison is completely having fun with his time with the Rockets.
“It’s nice right here,” Davison stated. “I constructed an important relationship with the fellows. I’m speaking extra right here. It’s sort of totally different, however I’m additionally loving all the pieces.”
“I used to be sort of nervous — I’m a younger man coming into a brand new group,” Davison stated. “However they sort of embraced me, as quickly as I obtained in, and sort of knew what I might do.”
However, on Saturday night time, it was good to be again house — again within the metropolis the place he’s spent a lot of the previous three years, the place he gained G League MVP and earned his first-ever commonplace NBA contract.
After the ultimate buzzer sounded, Davison embraced with a number of longtime teammates, together with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, whereas additionally catching up with former coaches and group personnel. Present Celtics assistant coach Tyler Lashbrook, who served as Davison’s head coach in Maine final season, lit up as he reconnected with the previous star.
“Man, it’s nice to see my individuals once more, those I performed with and likewise competed in opposition to these guys,” Davison stated. “I at all times competed in opposition to (them) in coaching camp and follow, regardless of the case could also be, and attempt to are available right here and get a win.”
The reigning G-League MVP continues to consider in his potential to make it within the NBA, so the departure from Boston didn’t devastate him.
He knew that he wouldn’t play many minutes with the group, however he embraced his function as a improvement fixture, main the Maine Celtics to a different playoff look whereas stuffing the stat sheet. In his closing season with Maine, he averaged 25.6 factors, 5 rebounds, and seven.8 assists on 48.1% taking pictures and have become the franchise’s all-time chief in factors, assists, and steals.
Joe Mazzulla and Brad Stevens wished him properly earlier than he went south.
“They at all times appreciated me, they appreciated the work I did, they usually appreciated the expansion, and I respect them for a similar,” Davison stated.
In Boston, Davison’s former Celtics teammates proceed to determine life with out Jayson Tatum and quite a few different key departures from the 2024 championship group. The Rockets, in the meantime, hope to contend for a championship after buying Kevin Durant this previous summer time.
Davison and Tatum speak on Instagram sometimes, together with different teammates.
“I communicate with all of these guys,” he stated.
For now, the previous Celtics guard is hoping to capitalize on one other probability to make his dream come true.
“I had coaching camp this summer time,” Davison stated. “I’ve been working my butt off, and I look ahead to the chance.”
