BOSTON – If you are not aware by now, Celtics prospect Jordan Mickey has been absolutely killing it for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA-Development League this season.
The 33rd overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft has averaged 17.1 points, 10.4 rebounds and a league-high 4.6 blocks per game during 21 games for Boston’s affiliate team.
With numbers like those, it comes to no surprise that the 6-foot-8 forward has been selected to participate in the D-League All-Star Game on Feb. 13 in Toronto.
Mickey becomes the third Celtic, along with Isaiah Thomas (All-Star Game selectee) and Marcus Smart (Rising Stars Challenge selectee), to be chosen to participate in this season’s All-Star Weekend festivities.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens has expressed excitement in Mickey’s development ever since training camp. That enthusiasm surfaced once again Friday night, before the Celtics tipped off against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden.
“He’s got a lot of good things going for him, and he’s been really consistent [with the Red Claws] every single night,” said Stevens. “I think the biggest thing about Jordan, that you’ll all see more of down the road, is he is a consistent personality; he works the same way, he doesn’t change his demeanor… he’s going to play the same way in a D-league game that he will when he gets his opportunity in the NBA.”
Mickey was recalled to the Celtics on Jan. 18 to receive treatment for a sprained ankle, and is still going through the recovery process. He has been back-and-forth between Boston and Maine 20 times this season, though has only played six NBA minutes because of the C’s current frontcourt logjam.
Fortunately, he has been able to continue his development with the Red Claws, alongside other Celtics prospects, such as Terry Rozier, R.J. Hunter and James Young.
“It’s been great to not only have the opportunity for those guys to go up and play, but for them to play in a system and a style that is so similar to ours,” said Stevens. “Their coaches are around us all the time and [reigning D-League Coach of the Year] Scott (Morrison) does a great job of heading that up. So when our guys go there, there should be a lot of familiarity.”
That sense of familiarity should eventually enable Mickey to make a seamless transition to the NBA.
And judging by the stats and accolades he’s currently piling up in the D-League, it shouldn’t be long until he gets that opportunity.
– Taylor C. Snow
