JD Davison keeps proving why he's the MVP

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - JD Davison knew at the beginning of the season this year was important.

It's the 22-year-old's third professional season since he was selected by the Boston Celtics in the Second Round of the 2022 NBA Draft. Year three marks the final season that Davison can be on a Two-Way Contract with the Celtics, or any other NBA team.

“A lot of confidence coming in, knowing that year three is a big year for me as I try to get an official roster spot with the Boston Celtics,” Davison said during training camp.

Davison's goal was simple. Be the best that he can be, continue to grow as a player and person, and help lead the Maine Celtics back to the NBA G League Finals. It's a lot for the youngest player on the team to shoulder, a fact that is easy to forget considering Davison's poise on the court and in the locker room.

“When I first got here this year, people started calling me a vet. I’m not a vet yet,” Davison said during training camp. “I just want to come here and lead our guys and try to make sure everyone is happy, doing their job, and I can be the best that I can be.” 

Fast forward to Sunday, April 6th where Davison's Celtics will battle the Osceola Magic with a trip to the NBA G League Finals on the line. Maine has hopped on Davison's shoulders and let him carry them to this moment through spectacular play and leadership. His coaches and teammates will say that JD or 'Three' has been more vocal this season as a leader. He's orchestrated the offense and been able to dissect coverages at an elite level. The team's best player also hasn't hesitated to guard the other team's best player on defense. He's been Maine's MVP and fittingly, was named the 2024 Kia NBA G League MVP. All of that was on display in Thursday's semifinal win over the Westchester Knicks.

Despite Maine leading by as many as 19 points, Westchester rallied in the second half to tie the game at 76. As Boston Celtics assignee player Jordan Walsh described, the Knicks' fans began to get a little louder and maybe a little doubt crept into Maine's bench at the same time. Davison checked back into the game and calmed the storm with his play and demeanor.

“You saw it tonight. We had a little struggle against the two-three (defense) for a little bit, and then JD comes in, settles us down, gets us where we need to be, and then makes the right play from there," said Maine Head Coach Tyler Lashbrook. "I said it in the locker room just now, but that’s why he’s the MVP. It’s not just the numbers, it’s the leadership, its ability to put guys in the right spots and having the answer for every problem that we see.”

 "The team believes in me with the ball in my hand, so I just had to carry the load," Davison explained after the Westchester win. Davison scored 20 of his 32 points in the second half.

"He's a hooper for sure," Walsh said after the win over Capital City. "He's a guy who wants to take charge, take lead, and he wants to win."

The franchise’s all-time leader in points, assists, steals, field goals, and games played has carried the load a little bit more in the postseason. Through two playoff games, Davison is averaging 35.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 14.5 assists per game on 56.0% shooting from the floor. He's also averaging 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game on defense. Of the 239 total points Maine has scored in the playoffs, Davison has scored or assisted on 142 of them.

"I feel like it shows in his stats, but I feel like a lot of people also underestimate the fact that he's commanding the floor and telling guys where to go, telling them what to do, getting everybody on the same page, which is really important," Walsh said.

Many will argue that Davison is the best player to wear a Maine Celtics uniform, or a Red Claws one for that matter. He's dazzled fans for three seasons with high-flying dunks and dramatic buzzer-beaters. Davison was nothing short of sensational this season, averaging 25.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game in 45 G League games. Davison recorded 30+ points in 15 games, including two triple-doubles and 13 double-doubles. The Two-Way player has delivered time and time again for Maine, while balancing his time in Boston and pursuit of an NBA standard contract with laser focus.

"It's a different type of game now. We're in the playoffs," Davison said after the latest playoff win. "I'm not worried about the game we lost, I'm worried about the game ahead of me now."

It's fitting that the game ahead is against the Osceola Magic and the 2024 Kia NBA G League MVP, Mac McClung. Two of the league's most prominent figures and dynamic playmakers, squaring off on Sunday for a shot at a championship. This playoff run will be the last time fans see Davison in a Maine Celtics uniform, and many are hoping he'll return to the Portland Expo one final time in the G League Finals. But first, it's the #3 seed Maine seeking a road win over #1 Osceola for the Eastern Conference title.

Sunday night's game tips-off at 7 p.m. and will broadcast live on ESPNU.