Welcome to Boston, Jordan Walsh!

[brackdan70]

My hope for Walsh next season is that he gets Brissetts minutes and a little more. I expect him to still play some G league games but I do hope Mazzula plays a bit of a deeper rotation to keep guys fresh and develop the young guys.

[shackles10]

Circumstances may have just changed with the news of Brissett's impending free agency. Looks like he's gonna choose to become a free agent. This leaves Hauser, Walsh, and Drew Peterson.

I hope he can approximate next year what Oshae gave us this year: be energetic and disruptive on defense. Be chaotic on offense. Occasionally make a spectacular athletic play.

I'm hoping the vlog work and the nail polish are on point as well.

[hugepatsfan]

People mention giving him Brissett's minutes. The primary backup to Tatum at PF last year when everyone was healthy and playing seemed to be Horford in a double big lineup. But when one/both of Horford/Porzingis sat, Brissett would get inserted into the lineup for those backup PF minutes.

Is that Walsh's role at the NBA level? I know he's the same size as Brissett but not everyone plays the same way. Brissett really embraced that small ball PF mind set rather than trying to be a big wing. Is that Walsh's game?

[165bows]

People mention giving him Brissett's minutes. The primary backup to Tatum at PF last year when everyone was healthy and playing seemed to be Horford in a double big lineup. But when one/both of Horford/Porzingis sat, Brissett would get inserted into the lineup for those backup PF minutes.

Is that Walsh's role at the NBA level? I know he's the same size as Brissett but not everyone plays the same way. Brissett really embraced that small ball PF mind set rather than trying to be a big wing. Is that Walsh's game?

Yeah I’m skeptical that he is that type of player, imo more of a wing.

It’s like Sam Hauser, plenty of 6’8” PFs out there but that doesn’t make Sam one of them.

Between that and the depth of PFs in this draft like Freeman, LeDee, Watson etc I think it’s a good time to pick that type of 4 up in the draft. Just a basic well rounded defensive player with size who can do a little bit of everything but doesn’t need to do too much on offense fits this team great.

[Shak_Celts]

I’m looking for big things out of him this regular season, but he’s got to put in his best offseason of his life! I just need him to get some minutes early this season, HE IS STILL MY GOAT pup!

[hugepatsfan]

People mention giving him Brissett's minutes. The primary backup to Tatum at PF last year when everyone was healthy and playing seemed to be Horford in a double big lineup. But when one/both of Horford/Porzingis sat, Brissett would get inserted into the lineup for those backup PF minutes.

Is that Walsh's role at the NBA level? I know he's the same size as Brissett but not everyone plays the same way. Brissett really embraced that small ball PF mind set rather than trying to be a big wing. Is that Walsh's game?

Yeah I’m skeptical that he is that type of player, imo more of a wing.

It’s like Sam Hauser, plenty of 6’8” PFs out there but that doesn’t make Sam one of them.

Between that and the depth of PFs in this draft like Freeman, LeDee, Watson etc I think it’s a good time to pick that type of 4 up in the draft. Just a basic well rounded defensive player with size who can do a little bit of everything but doesn’t need to do too much on offense fits this team great.

I see the same with Walsh. It'd be nice if he could grow into that PF who can play 8-10 minutes a night backing up Tatum in a playoff rotation. Because long-term, we might not be able to find a big man as versatile as Al to backup both PF and C. It's probably more likely that his replacement is only able to backup the C spot.

We only used 8 guys in the playoffs when healthy and talks are that we'll end up keeping the 6 perimeter guys (meaning the top 8 besides Porzingis/Horford). If Horford and Porzingis are eventually replaced by 5-only players, then we'll need probably need a 9th guy to log some time at PF behind Tatum. That's Walsh's easiest path to cracking the playoff rotation here, if he can fill that role. If not, he'll need to take minutes from Hauser or Pritchard to ever be a playoff factor.

[redslastlaugh]

People mention giving him Brissett's minutes. The primary backup to Tatum at PF last year when everyone was healthy and playing seemed to be Horford in a double big lineup. But when one/both of Horford/Porzingis sat, Brissett would get inserted into the lineup for those backup PF minutes.

Is that Walsh's role at the NBA level? I know he's the same size as Brissett but not everyone plays the same way. Brissett really embraced that small ball PF mind set rather than trying to be a big wing. Is that Walsh's game?

Yeah I’m skeptical that he is that type of player, imo more of a wing.

It’s like Sam Hauser, plenty of 6’8” PFs out there but that doesn’t make Sam one of them.

Between that and the depth of PFs in this draft like Freeman, LeDee, Watson etc I think it’s a good time to pick that type of 4 up in the draft. Just a basic well rounded defensive player with size who can do a little bit of everything but doesn’t need to do too much on offense fits this team great.

Agree with the depth of PFs in the draft. Power forward kind of fell out of favor when people were like, “heck, in the modern NBA Gordon Hayward is a power forward,” but I think the position is coming back because of how physical and bruising the new implementation of the rule book is. And the shift in analytics to value possessions obtained on the offensive board.

I like the three draft prospects mentioned, Freeman, LeDee, Watson… and adding a developmental 4-man could be an approach Brad takes tomorrow night.

[hugepatsfan]

I think PF is becoming a huge "turning point" position for teams. That position is so demanding now with the versatility teams employ. Over the course of a given game, that position could realistically be asked to do all of:

1) Space the floor on offense
2) Put the ball on the floor and attack close outs on offense
3) Guard the 3 point line on the other team
4) Guard another team's double big lineups
5) Provide secondary rim protection

In a league that employs so much versatility, there are so many conflicting demands there. I think it's very rare to find someone who can handle all of the defensive challenges at that spot while still being a net positive for you on offense.

[djFan71]

Between that and the depth of PFs in this draft like Freeman, LeDee, Watson etc I think it’s a good time to pick that type of 4 up in the draft. Just a basic well rounded defensive player with size who can do a little bit of everything but doesn’t need to do too much on offense fits this team great.

It's like you're intentionally trying to hurt me.

I agree Walsh is a wing. I think the Brissett's minutes thing is not really about Walsh replacing his role per se, but literally just that there are some minutes available with a guy gone. Not a ton of them, but they're there. You can get by with <backup center>, Pritchard, <white or jrue>, JB and Walsh or something in the non-Tatum minutes. Doesn't need to be a true PF on the floor at all time. But, also agree it's a good time to grab one in this draft. (And have a suggestion on who)

[165bows]

Between that and the depth of PFs in this draft like Freeman, LeDee, Watson etc I think it’s a good time to pick that type of 4 up in the draft. Just a basic well rounded defensive player with size who can do a little bit of everything but doesn’t need to do too much on offense fits this team great.

It's like you're intentionally trying to hurt me.

I agree Walsh is a wing. I think the Brissett's minutes thing is not really about Walsh replacing his role per se, but literally just that there are some minutes available with a guy gone. Not a ton of them, but they're there. You can get by with <backup center>, Pritchard, <white or jrue>, JB and Walsh or something in the non-Tatum minutes. Doesn't need to be a true PF on the floor at all time. But, also agree it's a good time to grab one in this draft. (And have a suggestion on who)

Remind me who am I leaving out, was it Mogbo?

I like him a lot, and he's waaay more exciting that Watson, believe me. But I agree with HPF's list above a lot, so it's in light of that a focus on more boring but in my very limited opinion fit better as the more versatile guys.

The good thing about this current Celtics team is that the well done list above works perfectly here. Stick them on a team with bad defenders, or weak offense, and those guys don't necessarily look that good (because if they could create their own shots/were high volume scorers they would be stars, and not the PJ Tuckers of the world.

[165bows]

I think PF is becoming a huge "turning point" position for teams. That position is so demanding now with the versatility teams employ. Over the course of a given game, that position could realistically be asked to do all of:

1) Space the floor on offense
2) Put the ball on the floor and attack close outs on offense
3) Guard the 3 point line on the other team
4) Guard another team's double big lineups
5) Provide secondary rim protection

In a league that employs so much versatility, there are so many conflicting demands there. I think it's very rare to find someone who can handle all of the defensive challenges at that spot while still being a net positive for you on offense.

Yup agree completely but the good thing is this current team just needs them to be solid but capably boring on offense. Hit open threes, cut to the rim, straight line drives.

Basically a poor man's Derrick White in a 6'8"-6'10" body, and that would be a perfect fit here. And before he got here, Derrick White was just sort of blending in as a bit of a JAG.

[djFan71]

Between that and the depth of PFs in this draft like Freeman, LeDee, Watson etc I think it’s a good time to pick that type of 4 up in the draft. Just a basic well rounded defensive player with size who can do a little bit of everything but doesn’t need to do too much on offense fits this team great.

It's like you're intentionally trying to hurt me.

I agree Walsh is a wing. I think the Brissett's minutes thing is not really about Walsh replacing his role per se, but literally just that there are some minutes available with a guy gone. Not a ton of them, but they're there. You can get by with <backup center>, Pritchard, <white or jrue>, JB and Walsh or something in the non-Tatum minutes. Doesn't need to be a true PF on the floor at all time. But, also agree it's a good time to grab one in this draft. (And have a suggestion on who)

Remind me who am I leaving out, was it Mogbo?

I like him a lot, and he's waaay more exciting that Watson, believe me. But I agree with HPF's list above a lot, so it's in light of that a focus on more boring but in my very limited opinion fit better as the more versatile guys.

The good thing about this current Celtics team is that the well done list above works perfectly here. Stick them on a team with bad defenders, or weak offense, and those guys don't necessarily look that good (because if they could create their own shots/were high volume scorers they would be stars, and not the PJ Tuckers of the world.

The list is great, and I think Mogbo nails 4 of the 5 from day 1 - and then some. Item #1 tbd. Agree with you on the other guys, and would be fine with them as well. Leons is probably the only one I give good shooter status too, though. Freeman and Watson did it for 1 season on low volume. Granted that’s one more season than Mogbo has. But, 50 attempts at 37% isn’t enough to scare an nba defense, imo. Better basis for sure, though.

[djFan71]

I think PF is becoming a huge "turning point" position for teams. That position is so demanding now with the versatility teams employ. Over the course of a given game, that position could realistically be asked to do all of:

1) Space the floor on offense
2) Put the ball on the floor and attack close outs on offense
3) Guard the 3 point line on the other team
4) Guard another team's double big lineups
5) Provide secondary rim protection

In a league that employs so much versatility, there are so many conflicting demands there. I think it's very rare to find someone who can handle all of the defensive challenges at that spot while still being a net positive for you on offense.

Yup agree completely but the good thing is this current team just needs them to be solid but capably boring on offense. Hit open threes, cut to the rim, straight line drives.

Basically a poor man's Derrick White in a 6'8"-6'10" body, and that would be a perfect fit here. And before he got here, Derrick White was just sort of blending in as a bit of a JAG.

And couldn’t really shoot consistently.

[ConstableGeneva]

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[ConstableGeneva]

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[Hal14]

People mention giving him Brissett's minutes. The primary backup to Tatum at PF last year when everyone was healthy and playing seemed to be Horford in a double big lineup. But when one/both of Horford/Porzingis sat, Brissett would get inserted into the lineup for those backup PF minutes.

Is that Walsh's role at the NBA level? I know he's the same size as Brissett but not everyone plays the same way. Brissett really embraced that small ball PF mind set rather than trying to be a big wing. Is that Walsh's game?

I would add:

1) The main thing Brissett brought to the table was rebounding. He had a TRB% of 13.7 which is very good for a non-center coming off the bench..about as good as good as you'll find in the league for a non-center coming off the bench

Walsh's TRB %
In very limited action for BOS: 12.8
In 43 G league games: 12.2

So not quite as high as Brissett but awfully close. And consider that Brissett was playing closer to the basket so in better position for rebounds..Walsh was on the perimeter more.

Also factor in Brissett was 25 and Walsh was only 19 last season. Now this season with a year under his belt in NBA/g league, he should be stronger now. And better equipped to grab boards now.

And Walsh (in the G league) carried much more of a scoring responsibility so less energy to grab rebounds, compared to Brissett who was a non-scorer in Boston so he could put basically all of his energy/focus into grabbing boards and making hustle plays.

2) So we've established that Walsh isn't quite the rebounder that Brissett was last season but he was close and will likely be better on the boards this season - especially when getting mins for BOS where you would think pretty much all of his energy/focus will be on grabbing boards, defending, making hustle plays and hitting the occasional open 3.

Well, what else did Brissett do besides rebounding last season? Bring energy, make hustle plays. Occasionally make cuts to the basket. Play fast, push the pace, get some easy transition buckets. And that's really it - since his driving/finishing near the basket, outside shooting and playmaking and ball handling were all pretty much non-existent..if he offered more in those areas last season, he likely would have gotten more playing time.

Now we don't want to get our expectations of Walsh to high, since he's just a 20 yr old kid, 2nd season in NBA, barely got any mins last season. But there is a chance that he can give us pretty much the same level of rebounding as Brissett did, equal (or possibly even better) defense, better shooting and better driving/finishing/playmaking.

After all, he says here (with confidence) that he's a way better player than he was last season

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3) Other thing I would add is that we shouldn't overthink it too much with labeling guys with certain old school positions (PF, SF, etc.). Positions these days are so interchangeable, it's basically positionless basketball...and teams often experiment with different lineup combinations (double big, 5 out, small ball 5, double PG lineup, a lineup with a PF like Tatum or a C like Jokic initiating the offense, etc.) rather than just sticking with 1 PG, 1 SG, etc. on the floor at all times

The positions matter less. What matters more is the attributes that a player brings to the table - such as size, mobility, athleticism, shooting, rebounding, rim protection, lob finishing, screening, rolling, ball handling, etc.

I don't think we have to get too caught up in whether Walsh is a PF or a big wing or a forward or a regular wing or small ball 4, or whatever. Bottom line is, we drafted Walsh because he had the potential to be an elite wing defender, with a 7'2" wingspan..and was only 19 yrs old with a really good motor, good athleticism..limited in terms of driving/shooting/playmaking but there was potential/flashes in each of those areas so the vision long term was a guy who would be a really elite defender (potentially a Jaden Mcdaniels type of defender) and like Mcdaniels can give you enough offensive value, mainly by hitting open 3's..plus you have the rebounding, toughness, physicality..

Long story short, I wouldn't overthink it with the position, but there should be minutes available off the bench as like a 10th/11th/12th man, if Walsh is ready for them..

[redslastlaugh]

Man, I know it’s just one game… but, Jordan Walsh’s first summer league game was a dud, definitely not what I was hoping for out of the gate.

[shackles10]

Who would you rather have in the development pipeline… Walsh or Bronny?

[Red2]

Walsh has had a terrible summer league. He’s at least a year away if not more. His shooting is abysmal

[phincsfan]

Who would you rather have in the development pipeline… Walsh or Bronny?

Walsh because of his physical traits. Kids an octopus.