The Celtics rotation is crowded, so the move isn't unexpected.
Two-third of Boston's rookie class have been assigned to the D-League. If Fab Melo and Kris Joseph use their opportunity with the Maine Red Claws right, they could really benefit from it.The Boston Celtics have assigned rookies Fab Melo and Kris Joseph to the Maine Red Claws, they announced Wednesday.
Neither saw extensive playing time during Boston's first seven games. Melo has yet to make his NBA regular season debut, while Joseph appeared just once, notching three minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks in the season's second game.
The Celtics rotation is crowded, so the move isn't unexpected. Behind several veterans and rookie Jared Sullinger on Boston's depth chart, Melo wasn't going to see much if any time in the NBA. The 7-footer out of Syracuse needs time to develop his raw offensive game and to adjust to man-to-man defense, which he hardly ever played while in coach Jim Boeheim's system at Syracuse. Melo has the physical ability to develop into a plus defender, but his awareness has to be fostered.
Joseph is probably further along in his basketball maturation, but he sat behind Paul Pierce and Jeff Green on Boston's list of small forwards. With those two in front of him, he wasn't going to get much court time regardless of how impressive he played in practice and preseason -- and he certainly showed positive signs in the latter.
The rookies will now get a chance to play. If they use the D-League as a chance to improve, it could really benefit them.