WALTHAM -- The Boston Celtics knew Fab Melo was a work in progress when they drafted the seven-foot center this summer.
On Saturday night, he offered a glimpse into his potential by setting an NBA Development League record with 14 blocked shots in the Maine Red Claws' loss to the Erie BayHawks as part of a 15-point, 16-rebound triple-double.
Even though the Celtics are looking for size in the middle -- Jason Collins is their only true center and Chris Wilcox could miss three-to-four weeks with a thumb injury -- don't expect the C's to call up Melo to fill the gap.
"I can tell you I've talked to Fab as, 'How are you doing?' " Doc Rivers said following practice on Sunday. "I haven't talked to anyone that thinks he's ready to come up yet."
Melo is averaging 8.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks in nine games for the Red Claws this season. Former Syracuse University and current Celtics teammate Kris Joseph was glad to see Melo's breakout performance.
"We were all happy because Fab, we didn't feel like he had been doing as much as he possibly could in the first couple games," said Joseph, who had been assigned to the Red Claws for Saturday's game. "He was still getting his feet wet and he wasn't comfortable yet. He's been getting better each game. I think this was obviously by far his best game of the season."