Welcome to Boston, Jordan Walsh!

[cl2117]

Walsh was just having a bit of an identity crisis. He wanted to showcase that he was ready to be the next man up for the back end of the rotation and unfortunately he's just not. Hopefully it's a bit of a reality check and he focuses on how he can be an effective roleplayer with what he does well now and then look to branch out further once he's reached that level.

I think 3 & D might be the wrong approach with him. I'm starting to see the potential for him to be a crafty player with the ball in his hands that others had pointed out. I always thought he could be a monster in transition, but looks like he could also be effective in the half-court. I think as long as he can continue to develop into a true defensive stopper, he won't necessarily need the three ball provided he can add something on that end.

Defensively he's not at that level yet. He matches up well against pretty much any wing/guard with his quickness and length, but he hasn't been able to really clamp down even against Summer League talent. All the tools are there to be really disruptive, but he's still got that flailing kind of energy that's so common on younger defenders. The defense is what's going to earn him minutes though, so that's where his focus has to be.

He'll get some spot minutes this year, but I don't see him getting a real chance. He's just too raw. You can tell he's uncomfortable/uncertain out there, the game seems too fast at this stage. He needs to find his identity and lean into it and maybe he'll come far enough along that he can be a wildcard option late in the season. I think he's got to hone in on being a defensive specialist. That'll make him an NBA level player and then he can look to upskill from there.

[jfs1000d]

Guys , g league is more important than summer league. They have 50+ games on the kid


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[cloverleaf]

Guys , g league is more important than summer league. They have 50+ games on the kid


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

And 36% from 3 ain't that great for a league that doesn't play D. (Though not 0%, for sure.)

[ConstableGeneva]

Read on Twitter

[cl2117]

Great to see Walsh finish Summer League strong. Hope that gives him some confidence going into the year. With how bad things were going I was a little worried this could've ended up being a cloud over him for the start of the season.

He was still trying to do too much, so I'm not sure if he's exactly learned his lesson or if the opportunity to be the leading man in Summer League is just too tempting for him to pass up. Sloppy with the ball (6 turnovers), still launched some three's that he shouldn't be putting up. Still flailing too much on the defensive end, getting in foul trouble with those long limbs instead of using them to create chaos. Despite the positive box score stats, the overall picture remains of a guy who's not ready yet and still needs to mature in the G-League.

All the things you want to see him lean into were there as well though. Defensively he was impactful and showed his versatility. He was active on the boards, got a couple easy buckets via offensive rebounds and was able to get out in transition to score as well. He was 4-8 from three, but if you actually look at the 3's he hit, he was wide open and able to step into them. He does have the ability to knock them down, he's just got gotta shrink the range of shots he's willing to take. He's shown himself as fairly capable when putting the ball on the floor, so I'd like to see him focus on that going forward. Absolutely take the wide open 3's that feel like practice, but drive on the closeouts unless it's too good a look to passup.

The key to him getting consistent minutes in the NBA is his defense. He's already got all the tools to be an impact player on that end. He's gotta let the game slow down for him a bit and commit to focusing on his core skillset. I'm just not sure he's convinced that he's a roleplayer, I think he may have more immediate aspirations beyond that and that could get in the way of him getting to an NBA standard quicker.

[phincsfan]

Looks like Maine for year 2 is on the horizon for him. Hopefully he understands how much harder he has to keep working to make a career out of his ability. I didn't watch the game but the stats said he shot better but he led the team in TO's.

Jordan was in his head to start SL but he got out of it which I think is huge for his confidence going forward. With his size he doesn't have to be the leading scorer in Maine. If he thinks that's whats going to get him on the big club that's a problem. Be a better shooter, keep working on his defense and limit the mistakes.

[cloverleaf]

Looks like Maine for year 2 is on the horizon for him. Hopefully he understands how much harder he has to keep working to make a career out of his ability. I didn't watch the game but the stats said he shot better but he led the team in TO's.

Jordan was in his head to start SL but he got out of it which I think is huge for his confidence going forward. With his size he doesn't have to be the leading scorer in Maine. If he thinks that's whats going to get him on the big club that's a problem. Be a better shooter, keep working on his defense and limit the mistakes.

Had Brad given him a 2-way instead of a regular contract last year, he might not have got so caught up in trying to prove he's the next NBA star at his second SL.

[shackles10]

Looks like Maine for year 2 is on the horizon for him. Hopefully he understands how much harder he has to keep working to make a career out of his ability. I didn't watch the game but the stats said he shot better but he led the team in TO's.

Jordan was in his head to start SL but he got out of it which I think is huge for his confidence going forward. With his size he doesn't have to be the leading scorer in Maine. If he thinks that's whats going to get him on the big club that's a problem. Be a better shooter, keep working on his defense and limit the mistakes.

Had Brad given him a 2-way instead of a regular contract last year, he might not have got so caught up in trying to prove he's the next NBA star at his second SL.

True, but we also get another year of flexibility on his salary at the lower amount though as well. You could argue how important that is when the year was pretty much wasted in the G-League though lol.

[ConstableGeneva]

Watch on YouTube

[brackdan70]

Dude has tools. Hopeful he can starting building something with them.

[Hal14]

Walsh putting in some offseason work.

Read on Twitter

Getting instruction from Tyson Chandler (former PF/C)..and a couple other trainers.

Also part of the workout group with Walsh: JT Toppin (PF/C) and Asa Newell (PF/C). Toppin and Newell are both guys who could go in the late 1st round of next year's draft - or in the 2nd round. Toppin worked out for the Celtics prior to the 2024 draft, before withdrawing and returning to college. Newell is a freshman this year at Georgia.

Walsh trying to transition into a PF/C ? Maybe he wants those Brissett minutes - Brissett played pretty much exclusively at PF for Boston..and. was able to get some minutes, despite poor shooting and limited offensive game..

Maybe Walsh will embrace that Brissett type of role - defense/rebounding/energy/hustle. After all, he really struggled with his shooting in summer league..and also was a bit of a disaster when he tried to drive in and create offense off the dribble.

[Fencer reregistered]

Walsh putting in some offseason work.

Read on Twitter

Getting instruction from Tyson Chandler (former PF/C)..and a couple other trainers.

Also part of the workout group with Walsh: JT Toppin (PF/C) and Asa Newell (PF/C). Toppin and Newell are both guys who could go in the late 1st round of next year's draft - or in the 2nd round. Toppin worked out for the Celtics prior to the 2024 draft, before withdrawing and returning to college. Newell is a freshman this year at Georgia.

Walsh trying to transition into a PF/C ? Maybe he wants those Brissett minutes - Brissett played pretty much exclusively at PF for Boston..and. was able to get some minutes, despite poor shooting and limited offensive game..

Maybe Walsh will embrace that Brissett type of role - defense/rebounding/energy/hustle. After all, he really struggled with his shooting in summer league..and also was a bit of a disaster when he tried to drive in and create offense off the dribble.

Looks like the other NBAer involved is Charlie Villaneuva, with whom Walsh bonded long ago in connection with their shared ailment.

[Dogen]

Walsh putting in some offseason work.

Read on Twitter

Getting instruction from Tyson Chandler (former PF/C)..and a couple other trainers.

Also part of the workout group with Walsh: JT Toppin (PF/C) and Asa Newell (PF/C). Toppin and Newell are both guys who could go in the late 1st round of next year's draft - or in the 2nd round. Toppin worked out for the Celtics prior to the 2024 draft, before withdrawing and returning to college. Newell is a freshman this year at Georgia.

Walsh trying to transition into a PF/C ? Maybe he wants those Brissett minutes - Brissett played pretty much exclusively at PF for Boston..and. was able to get some minutes, despite poor shooting and limited offensive game..

Maybe Walsh will embrace that Brissett type of role - defense/rebounding/energy/hustle. After all, he really struggled with his shooting in summer league..and also was a bit of a disaster when he tried to drive in and create offense off the dribble.

This is good to see. I'd be happy to still have Brissett back, but OK with seeing how 3rd year Walsh can do in that role and then leave the 15th spot open or allocate it for a different need.

So far, Walsh hasn't really met the need at 2/3 -- his passing is OK, but shooting is suspect and it looks like he has difficulty staying in front of quicker players, laterally, which is something he can improve on, but it's hard to get minutes on "maybe".

As a small 4, he is undersized in weight, but makes up for it with wingspan. So he may get pushed around by stronger players while on D, but has the length and vertical quickness to recover and meet guys at the top, getting a block, or a rebound with his second jump. Kind of a Brissett type.

Perhaps even a Rodman type, disrupting the passing lanes, closing out, harassing taller players with quickness and long arms, getting the home crowd pumped with a deflection or steal. And on offense, putbacks, swooping in for offensive boards, making a good read or pass, only taking shots when left open. Trying to drive and coughing up the ball or clanking off the rim. Like Brissett.

As for the Walsh 3 and D experiment, I'm not sure he's every going to be a great 3pt shooter, but he's going to be better that he showed in summer league. He looked like an exposed nerve out there, I felt sorry for him. It's a tough league to break into, he just needs to acknowledge it and keep working. If Joe can find a place for Walsh to play to his strengths, Jordan can get some of those spot minutes and start to bring along the other skills gradually.

I think he is signed through 26-27, with a team option the last year? I hope he sticks around and turn into a contributor or at least increases his value as an asset in a trade. The Boston Celtics seem to appreciate home grown talent, so i'm betting on Walsh eventually getting another ring with the team, next time moving slightly closer to the podium.

[Hal14]

Walsh putting in some offseason work.

Read on Twitter

Getting instruction from Tyson Chandler (former PF/C)..and a couple other trainers.

Also part of the workout group with Walsh: JT Toppin (PF/C) and Asa Newell (PF/C). Toppin and Newell are both guys who could go in the late 1st round of next year's draft - or in the 2nd round. Toppin worked out for the Celtics prior to the 2024 draft, before withdrawing and returning to college. Newell is a freshman this year at Georgia.

Walsh trying to transition into a PF/C ? Maybe he wants those Brissett minutes - Brissett played pretty much exclusively at PF for Boston..and. was able to get some minutes, despite poor shooting and limited offensive game..

Maybe Walsh will embrace that Brissett type of role - defense/rebounding/energy/hustle. After all, he really struggled with his shooting in summer league..and also was a bit of a disaster when he tried to drive in and create offense off the dribble.

Looks like the other NBAer involved is Charlie Villaneuva, with whom Walsh bonded long ago in connection with their shared ailment.

Yeah. Perhaps that's how Jordan got connected with this group he worked out with.

And Villanueva of course, was also a PF..

[Hal14]

I'd be happy to still have Brissett back

I suppose it's possible (since we have 1 open roster spot and Brissett is still a FA) but at this point, it seems pretty unlikely that Brissett resigns here.

I feel like if it was gonna happen, it would have happened by now.

The beat writers (and even Brad himself) have said recently that the 15th spot is likely being left open..unless we really need to fill it if another injury happens.

Last year, fans kept on thinking that Blake was gonna come back, and we saw what happened there..

So far, Walsh hasn't really met the need at 2/3 -- his passing is OK, but shooting is suspect and it looks like he has difficulty staying in front of quicker players, laterally, which is something he can improve on, but it's hard to get minutes on "maybe".

As a small 4, he is undersized in weight, but makes up for it with wingspan.

Yeah I think at this point, Walsh is definitely more of a 3/4 than a 2/3.

Like you said, what he lacks in weight he makes up for in wingspan. Still, I would like to see him try and put on about 10 lbs if he's gonna really be more of a 4.

As of now:
Brissett: 6'7", 7'0" wingspan, 210 lbs
Walsh: 6'7", 7'2" wingspan, 205 lbs

[Dogen]

I'd be happy to still have Brissett back

I suppose it's possible (since we have 1 open roster spot and Brissett is still a FA) but at this point, it seems pretty unlikely that Brissett resigns here.

I feel like if it was gonna happen, it would have happened by now.

The beat writers (and even Brad himself) have said recently that the 15th spot is likely being left open..unless we really need to fill it if another injury happens.

Last year, fans kept on thinking that Blake was gonna come back, and we saw what happened there..

So far, Walsh hasn't really met the need at 2/3 -- his passing is OK, but shooting is suspect and it looks like he has difficulty staying in front of quicker players, laterally, which is something he can improve on, but it's hard to get minutes on "maybe".

As a small 4, he is undersized in weight, but makes up for it with wingspan.

Yeah I think at this point, Walsh is definitely more of a 3/4 than a 2/3.

Like you said, what he lacks in weight he makes up for in wingspan. Still, I would like to see him try and put on about 10 lbs if he's gonna really be more of a 4.

As of now:
Brissett: 6'7", 7'0" wingspan, 210 lbs
Walsh: 6'7", 7'2" wingspan, 205 lbs

Yeah, not looking likely for Brissett, I just want to bring the band back together (Brissett is... Ringo! )

Interesting how close they are in size. Oshae is more matured and stronger.

Therein lies the rub: Walsh may be able to step into that role, but we don't want him to be rushed. Dude still needs to grow into his "man bones".

I'm trying to think of a good example... it's on the tip of my tongue.... thinking of a particular player a few years back where they tried to put on extra weight and muscle too fast and it sort of derailed his career. Injuries, etc. I'm sure there are a few examples, but you get the point.

I don't want to see Walsh transformed into something his isn't. He's kind of coltish out there now, and needs time for his body to catch up to his brain, or vice-versa.

He could pop this year of course. It's like he's on the verge of a major flex. Longer term, I'm bullish on he and Springer stepping into the rotation as key reserves for the next phase of the Jays-era of playoff runs.

10 pounds seems reasonable this year, gradually. Get stronger in the off season and find a diet to keep it on during the season. He could be one of those guys who just burns through the calories (I wish I was! )

[Celts17Pride]

Really hope Walsh loves the state of Maine, because he is going to be spending a lot of time there next year

[Parliament10]

Really hope Walsh loves the state of Maine, because he is going to be spending a lot of time there next year

2nd Year player. He may breakout a bit.
Probably Not going to be in the normal Rotation.

[chakdaddy]

Agree that 3/4 Rodman archetype is the vision

[Parliament10]

Agree that 3/4 Rodman archetype is the vision

What do you mean?