Celtics three goals: JD Davison has to improve his shooting

JD Davison is entering his second year with the Boston Celtics but remains on a two-way contract. The athletic guard impressed during his rookie season, where he spent most of his time playing for the Maine Celtics.

During Las Vegas Summer League, Davison reminded fans why he is such an exciting prospect. The 6-foot-3 guard can grab a rebound and run the floor at breakneck speed, using his leaping ability to force a defensive collapse in transition. Davison can also work off-ball as an inverted lob-threat. He has also shown flashes of being a drive-and-kick playmaker.

However, there are still holes in Davison’s game. Holes that he will need to develop if he wants his overall skillset to improve throughout his sophomore season. That said, we will be looking at three goals Davison could implement heading into the new season, each focusing on him eventually earning a spot within Joe Mazzulla‘s rotation.

Improve his jump shot

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Davison is exceptional when driving the lane and finishing around the rim. The explosive guard’s leaping ability makes him a tough cover for wings, let alone guards. However, if defenses can shut off his driving lanes or force him onto his weaker hand, Davison doesn’t have a counter.

Improving his jump shot could open up the court, as defenses must then account for his ability to score off the dribble or operate as a floor-spacing catch-and-shoot threat.

Sharpen up his defense

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With his size, length, and elite athletic ability, Davison has all the tools of a potential point-of-attack defender. However, during Summer League, we saw Davison struggle to read rotations, navigate screens, and slide his feet to cut off driving lanes when his opponent looked to initiate dribble penetration.

Davison must lock in on the defense end and improve his overall production on that side of the floor. Otherwise, the sophomore guard will pressure his teammates as they mop up his mistakes, which can’t happen on a team with championship aspirations.

Add screening to his game

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

In recent years, having guards capable of setting solid screens has become integral to a functioning offense. Inverted screening actions force a switching defense into mismatches and often open up easy buckets for the rolling or popping guard – as teams scramble their way out of the mismatch and back to a level footing.

Given Davison’s athleticism and passing ability, he would be an ideal inverted screener who could finish lobs, operate as a short-roll facilitator, and provide secondary rim pressure.

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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire