Welcome to Boston, Jordan Walsh!

[165bows]

Let's not go overboard here, but I'm getting Kawhi Leonard vibes from Jordan Walsh. Both labeled as guys who could defend but couldn't shoot out of college, and Leonard was way better than advertised almost immediately.

You can't say that and then say that lol

I thought my Middleton comps were going big.

I’m rolling with it though give me all the JWalsh optimism there is.

[ryan in Maine]

Let's not go overboard here, but I'm getting Kawhi Leonard vibes from Jordan Walsh. Both labeled as guys who could defend but couldn't shoot out of college, and Leonard was way better than advertised almost immediately.

You can't say that and then say that lol

I thought my Middleton comps were going big.

I’m rolling with it though give me all the JWalsh optimism there is.

Ladies and gentlemen hold on to your buttholes, Jordan Walsh is giving me MVP vibes.

[Shak_Celts]

I'm telling you now...


MOIST!!!

[meatball sub]

You can't say that and then say that lol

I thought my Middleton comps were going big.

I’m rolling with it though give me all the JWalsh optimism there is.

Ladies and gentlemen hold on to your buttholes, Jordan Walsh is giving me MVP vibes.

Finals MVP vibes

[Context]

SB NATION ranked the 11 best NBA rookies in 2023 Summer League, ranked
Let’s rank the best rookies at 2023 NBA Summer League.

These rankings were determined by nothing more than who impressed us the most in Summer League. There were a lot of great players who didn’t make this list, including Nets forward Jalen Wilson, Pistons guard Marcus Sasser, Cavs wing Emoni Bates, Hornets duo Brandon Miller and Nick Smith Jr., Thunder guard Cason Wallace, Lakers guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, Nuggets wing Julian Strawther, and more. Here are the best rookies at 2023 NBA Summer League, ranked.

I'm going to highlight, ofcourse-- rank #5:
Jordan Walsh:

5. Jordan Walsh, F, Boston Celtics
Walsh’s combination of size and defense helped make him a five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American out of Link Academy, but his lack of offensive development as a freshman at Arkansas pushed him down to the No. 38 pick in the draft. The big surprise in Las Vegas was how much better his offense already looks at this level. Walsh will still make his money on the defensive end, where he’s quick enough to guard guards, strong enough to defend forwards, and long enough (7’2 wingspan) to contest shots regardless of the matchup. The offense was more surprising: Walsh was taking and making three-pointers, attacking without fear, and finding ways to make shots from floater range. Just adding a decent jump shot would take Walsh’s game to the next level, and he might already be there.

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2023/7/17/23792476/nba-rookie-summer-league-rankings-las-vegas-2023-victor-wembanyama

[Fencer reregistered]

Well, he's under control sometimes.

Thought curmudgeons loved good deals.

Curmudgeons don't love anything.

[captain green]

If he gives us 15mpg 3.4 ppg 2.6rpg 1apg .5 bpg .4 spg shoot .25 3% that would be what can't will gave us his rookie year. Of course in 4 years here he never got better at apg, bpg, spg also can't's high was 4.6rpg and his high 8.1 ppg in four years of service. That his marks for me be better than can't will and we have a successful draft pick. I believe he can get better stats we shall see

[31to6]

If he gives us 15mpg 3.4 ppg 2.6rpg 1apg .5 bpg .4 spg shoot .25 3% that would be what can't will gave us his rookie year. Of course in 4 years here he never got better at apg, bpg, spg also can't's high was 4.6rpg and his high 8.1 ppg in four years of service. That his marks for me be better than can't will and we have a successful draft pick. I believe he can get better stats we shall see

Ultimately the problem with Grant — from the Celtics perspective — was that he was a FRP and not a SRP (due to $$ required to retain him).

Walsh is much more of a wing than a big, but it feels like an attempt at a do-over. I hope Walsh earns his next contract and is able to sign it in Boston! (maybe that’s wishful thinking, IDK)

[_Und3r][D4wg_]

I'd be pleasantly surprised if JW is able to immediately match GW's (soft) impact in his rookie season... And not because I think that highly of Grant. I just don't feel that Walsh's SL performance (against SL-quality game & players) will immediately translate onto the big games with the big boys.

Rooting for him to prove me wrong, though.

[31to6]

I'd be pleasantly surprised if JW is able to immediately match GW's (soft) impact in his rookie season... And not because I think that highly of Grant. I just don't feel that Walsh's SL performance (against SL-quality game & players) will immediately translate onto the big games with the big boys.

Rooting for him to prove me wrong, though.

He’ll be competing with Brissette, Hauser, Pritchard, and Banton for minutes. I expect some or most of those guys will establish themselves above him in the rotation, limiting Walsh to mostly mop-up duty this year. But I do expect that Brad will encourage Joe to give him some chances to show what he’s got this year, and also there are always unfortunately injuries which is usually how a guy like this gets on the floor earlier than expected.

[ryan in Maine]

The more I think about this the more it becomes apparent that the Celtics were watching him since high school. When they saw his role in college they knew he was taking a step back for the system.

Just such excellent scouting on Walsh.

I suppose there's a little faith involved that those skills hold up and outlast his role in college, but a little faith is a good partner for excellent scouting.

[lon3lytoaster]

The more I think about this the more it becomes apparent that the Celtics were watching him since high school. When they saw his role in college they knew he was taking a step back for the system.

Just such excellent scouting on Walsh.

I suppose there's a little faith involved that those skills hold up and outlast his role in college, but a little faith is a good partner for excellent scouting.

He’s certainly shown more already (in my eyes) than JD. Really prototypical size and length for a 3 and at the very least I think his energy will make an impact if he’s given a chance.

My only gripe on draft night was there were a few other guys I’d have liked in addition to Walsh like Leonard Miller but all in all, think he can carve a role from my initial impression.

He plays too much Valorant though. Need to get him into some better games.

[zoyathedestroya]

Watch on YouTube

[sam_I_am]

Watch on YouTube

That was an entertaining video. I do think that Walsh had some success in summer league that will be hard to replicate in NBA. A lot of his drives ended with below the rim shots and that just won’t fly in the big leagues. Even Tatum had problems finishing at the rim when he didn’t always attack with strength above the rim. I assume that Walsh will get stronger and has enough athleticism to overcome this some day but it probably limits his contributions this season to being a pure 3 and D guy.

[zoyathedestroya]

Watch on YouTube

That was an entertaining video. I do think that Walsh had some success in summer league that will be hard to replicate in NBA. A lot of his drives ended with below the rim shots and that just won’t fly in the big leagues. Even Tatum had problems finishing at the rim when he didn’t always attack with strength above the rim. I assume that Walsh will get stronger and has enough athleticism to overcome this some day but it probably limits his contributions this season to being a pure 3 and D guy.

Agree that some of the finishes he did in SL might end up as blocked or altered shots but he will soon learn what he can and can’t do against real NBA competition if he is getting the reps. What’s encouraging to me is his ability to recognize holes in the defense and take advantage of those by cutting and moving to open spots. If he can already do that in his rookie year playing alongside much better offensive threats who can draw attention and provide that space, he’ll be able to make plays off that (not necessarily score himself).

I don’t expect much out of 2nd rounders let alone in their first season. Hoping he spends more time with the big club instead of Maine though. Just him being able to practice with and learn from all-star wings is valuable in his development.

[Hal14]

Watch on YouTube

That was an entertaining video. I do think that Walsh had some success in summer league that will be hard to replicate in NBA. A lot of his drives ended with below the rim shots and that just won’t fly in the big leagues. Even Tatum had problems finishing at the rim when he didn’t always attack with strength above the rim. I assume that Walsh will get stronger and has enough athleticism to overcome this some day but it probably limits his contributions this season to being a pure 3 and D guy.

I mean, I guess I can see what you mean to some extent. But guards/wings in the NBA are able to make plenty of shots near the rim that aren't dunks.

Very few guards/wings have the ability to just rise up and dunk over big men standing there at the rim on a consistent basis. Not everybody is Jalen Green, Steve Francis, Vince Carter or MJ. Even Tatum and Brown - while they will occasionally put a dude on a poster, they frequently will find a way to finish near the rim, over a defender without dunking it.

That's why it's a very useful skill to be able to have the touch and the craft to be able to maneuver near the basket and still find a way to finish those shots near the rim over bigger defenders.

I'd also be more worried about Walsh's ability to dunk over dudes if he didn't have a 7'2" wingspan and good athleticism.

He can definitely dunk, though as we see in these vids..also, he threw down a lob dunk (something you typically see from bigs, rather than wings) in Summer League.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/spOpnhcvpnU

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hu9eLbh18ms

[zoyathedestroya]

Watch on YouTube

[zoyathedestroya]

Read on Twitter

[Shak_Celts]

Don't know why I was suggested this video BUT listen what KL said in this video and I swear Walsh has said all the exact stuff after we drafted him! Walsh = KL it's written in the stars, I will not accept anything less!

Watch on YouTube

[zoyathedestroya]

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