BOSTON — Whenever the Celtics gather for a huddle these playoffs, a pair of guys in street clothes will make their way over from their seats. Both Drew Peterson and JD Davison are in street clothes as they can’t suit up for playoffs games, but they’re still valuable parts of the squad.
Peterson and Davison, the Celtics’ two-way guys, get to see what this entire experience is like up-close. They’re at different points in their careers as the organization sees potential in the pair. But after leading the Maine Celtics to their own G League Finals run, they get a personal look at the big club. And even if they can’t be in uniform throughout the playoffs due to two-way rules, they can still soak up as much knowledge as they can.
“We a part of everything the team does, team dinners, all that other stuff,” Davison said. “Even get a ring if we win. Just being a part of everything. It’s no different between suiting up and not suiting up. Joe (Mazzulla) made me feel like at home, from the top-to-bottom.”
BetMGM BET UP TO $1,500! BONUS BET REFUND AFTER A LOSS
STATES: AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. 21 years of age or older to wager. MA Only. New Customer Offer. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets. Bonus bets expire 7 days from issuance. In Partnership with MGM Springfield. Play it smart from the start with GameSense. GameSenseMA.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org. US Promotional Offers not available in New York.
Of course, it’s not just Peterson and Davison as part of the Celtics’ behind-the-scenes support. C’s rookie Jordan Walsh is a part of that group as he spent the majority of the season in the G League. He gets to suit up as he’s on the 15-man roster, but he’s in a similar spot where he’s just trying to learn as he much as he can from the big club.
For Davison, 21, this is his second season in the organization after getting drafted 53rd overall in the 2022 draft. He’s been on a two-way deal the past two seasons, working on his game after being a one-and-done prospect out of Alabama. The C’s want him to be the point guard and leader, so he said there’s no better resource than getting to watch guys like Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Payton Pritchard.
“Last year, I was just a rookie, I didn’t really know what was going on,” Davison said. “I was really just in the back listening, trying to stay out of the way basically. Now, just trying to be a part of everything. Everything is coming towards me. Trying to be a part of the team, be listening, even saying a few words if I have to.”
Peterson is in a unique spot as he was inked midway through the season, coming over from the Heat’s G League squad. The C’s had an open two-way slot, so they signed him back in December. Peterson, 24, is an older rookie after spending five seasons in college between Rice and USC. So the experience and age factor are a little different compared to, say, Walsh, who’s 20.
Regardless, the G League guys get this Finals run together. Oftentimes after a C’s practice, those three — Peterson, Davis and Walsh — are seen working out together. So there’s a bond there from their collective time in Maine. And the Celtics will hope some of their playoffs success can impart some wisdom on their young guys who are hoping to make their own impact on the league.
“I was able to kind of get acclimated to the whole system,” Peterson said. “It’s the same terminology. It’s the same kind of offense you run here and in Maine. Without a full training camp like most had, I didn’t really understand a lot of things. It took me a while to get used to everything. That was a great help with all that stuff.”
