Welcome to Boston, Jordan Walsh!

[redslastlaugh]

That’s a reasonable response. I am hopeful Walsh can someday step into the Brissett role but maybe that’s not realistic for this playoffs. Last year Oshae shot profile looked like 60 3PTA for every 100 2PTA and that shot ratio made for a very effective change of pace off ball cutter type of player with plus length and athleticism.

I do hope Jordan can get beyond only driving a closeout to also fill lanes when the defender has turned his head. Brissett finishes off the cut gave JT a dump-off option that Sam and Payton just dont provide because they have no rim pressure effect. If Jordan can develop to where he can provide a finisher for JT off the spot up and also off the cut to dunk at the rum, that’s probably his best outcome with the defensive potential.

Obviously Walsh only 20yrs and doesn’t possess the physicality yet, but I do like that role for him longer term

[31to6]

That’s a reasonable response. I am hopeful Walsh can someday step into the Brissett role but maybe that’s not realistic for this playoffs. Last year Oshae shot profile looked like 60 3PTA for every 100 2PTA and that shot ratio made for a very effective change of pace off ball cutter type of player with plus length and athleticism.

I do hope Jordan can get beyond only driving a closeout to also fill lanes when the defender has turned his head. Brissett finishes off the cut gave JT a dump-off option that Sam and Payton just dont provide because they have no rim pressure effect. If Jordan can develop to where he can provide a finisher for JT off the spot up and also off the cut to dunk at the rum, that’s probably his best outcome with the defensive potential.

Obviously Walsh only 20yrs and doesn’t possess the physicality yet, but I do like that role for him longer term

I share your enthusiasm about his long term prospects, and assessment that it's not time yet.

He's out there to play defense, and the fact that he's doing so well at that with some early season 'real' minutes in year 2 puts him ahead of schedule IMO. On offense, I think it's a case of keeping it simple: help keep the floor spread, hopefully hit a few 3s, crash hard when appropriate. Maybe cutting is in the developmental cards for this season, but maybe not. In SL and/or preseason and/or Maine he's flashed some offensive talent but it's just not time yet to try anything other than super basic at the NBA level. More reps in practices with the 'big' squad and/or more reps in garbage time with the 'big' squad and/or more reps in Maine if our top 10 stays healthy -- there's a lot of ways his season could unfold, and who knows how it will go yet? Seems to be a hard worker with a good attitude. Seems like a great pick at #38.

[phincsfan]

That’s a reasonable response. I am hopeful Walsh can someday step into the Brissett role but maybe that’s not realistic for this playoffs. Last year Oshae shot profile looked like 60 3PTA for every 100 2PTA and that shot ratio made for a very effective change of pace off ball cutter type of player with plus length and athleticism.

I do hope Jordan can get beyond only driving a closeout to also fill lanes when the defender has turned his head. Brissett finishes off the cut gave JT a dump-off option that Sam and Payton just dont provide because they have no rim pressure effect. If Jordan can develop to where he can provide a finisher for JT off the spot up and also off the cut to dunk at the rum, that’s probably his best outcome with the defensive potential.

Obviously Walsh only 20yrs and doesn’t possess the physicality yet, but I do like that role for him longer term

I share your enthusiasm about his long term prospects, and assessment that it's not time yet.

He's out there to play defense, and the fact that he's doing so well at that with some early season 'real' minutes in year 2 puts him ahead of schedule IMO. On offense, I think it's a case of keeping it simple: help keep the floor spread, hopefully hit a few 3s, crash hard when appropriate. Maybe cutting is in the developmental cards for this season, but maybe not. In SL and/or preseason and/or Maine he's flashed some offensive talent but it's just not time yet to try anything other than super basic at the NBA level. More reps in practices with the 'big' squad and/or more reps in garbage time with the 'big' squad and/or more reps in Maine if our top 10 stays healthy -- there's a lot of ways his season could unfold, and who knows how it will go yet? Seems to be a hard worker with a good attitude. Seems like a great pick at #38.

They have very good contract control with him so IMO just keep doing what they're doing. He'll continue to improve so it's a no brainer to pick up his option next year. When he's ready to break out he'll still be only 21/22ish getting paid peanuts.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

If we look at the rotations of the top 4 teams in the league by record (Celtics, Cavs, Thunder and Warriors):
Age 20 season: 1 (Jordan Walsh)
Age 21 season: 3 (Cason Wallace, Ousmane Dieng, Brandin Podziemski)
Age 22 season: 4 (Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell)
Age 23 season: 3 (Evan Mobley, Jalen Williams, Dillon Jones)

It's absolutely not normal for a guy as young as Jordan Walsh to be playing for a team as good as the Celtics (especially since he isn't a lottery pick like most of the other guys on there). Just being able to get on the floor this early in his career (even if we wished he was more involved/could do more stuff out there) bodes extremely well for his future.

[165bows]

Not to be dramatic but his putback was the greatest athletic feat I've ever seen and he's clearly destined for superstardom. Brad did it again

I like his energy, athleticism and wingspan, plus that early stat line of 2.5/3.7/1.2 per 36 really stuffs the stat sheet.

Still high on Jordan Walsh, his line after last night is now up to 6/4/1 per 36 minutes with a .430TS%.

Sky is the limit!!

[Homerclease]

Not to be dramatic but his putback was the greatest athletic feat I've ever seen and he's clearly destined for superstardom. Brad did it again

I like his energy, athleticism and wingspan, plus that early stat line of 2.5/3.7/1.2 per 36 really stuffs the stat sheet.

Still high on Jordan Walsh, his line after last night is now up to 6/4/1 per 36 minutes with a .430TS%.

Sky is the limit!!

He’s still a year off but he’s been showing more and more glimpses of what might be one day. Physically has the tools but the game is still fast for him. Needs to develop the feel for it which unfortunately the G league isn’t quite there in terms of talent to replicate what he needs to learn

[playa-hater]

I am probably most guilty of overenthusiasm when he shows good signs. But with his very inconsistent minutes his true Ceiling and Floor is just so hard to gauge. But any good sign is very appreciated by me.

[sam_I_am]

I like his energy, athleticism and wingspan, plus that early stat line of 2.5/3.7/1.2 per 36 really stuffs the stat sheet.

Still high on Jordan Walsh, his line after last night is now up to 6/4/1 per 36 minutes with a .430TS%.

Sky is the limit!!

He’s still a year off but he’s been showing more and more glimpses of what might be one day. Physically has the tools but the game is still fast for him. Needs to develop the feel for it which unfortunately the G league isn’t quite there in terms of talent to replicate what he needs to learn

I think having to go against Brown and Tatum in practice is getting him more than he could have ever hoped. The Celtics are giving him an opportunity of a lifetime that he cannot get anywhere else. It’s on him and his health to reach his full potential and it’s looking really good for him so far.

[165bows]

I like his energy, athleticism and wingspan, plus that early stat line of 2.5/3.7/1.2 per 36 really stuffs the stat sheet.

Still high on Jordan Walsh, his line after last night is now up to 6/4/1 per 36 minutes with a .430TS%.

Sky is the limit!!

He’s still a year off but he’s been showing more and more glimpses of what might be one day. Physically has the tools but the game is still fast for him. Needs to develop the feel for it which unfortunately the G league isn’t quite there in terms of talent to replicate what he needs to learn

I'm pretty much a consistent big homer for most all of their young guys, and I agree he's looked good. Just interesting how little his box score stats have added up.

It's pretty much iirc exactly what Joe told him though, so more just being silly than anything.

I think the fact that he's getting minutes is the biggest tell that the team is happy with him and he's doing what they want.

[phincsfan]

Still high on Jordan Walsh, his line after last night is now up to 6/4/1 per 36 minutes with a .430TS%.

Sky is the limit!!

He’s still a year off but he’s been showing more and more glimpses of what might be one day. Physically has the tools but the game is still fast for him. Needs to develop the feel for it which unfortunately the G league isn’t quite there in terms of talent to replicate what he needs to learn

I think having to go against Brown and Tatum in practice is getting him more than he could have ever hoped. The Celtics are giving him an opportunity of a lifetime that he cannot get anywhere else. It’s on him and his health to reach his full potential and it’s looking really good for him so far.

That's why I'd rather him stay with the big club and go against the Jays everyday rather than put up empty stats in Maine. Also, Dr. Joe being in his ear is a lot better for his development than the coaches in Maine.

[Parliament10]

He’s still a year off but he’s been showing more and more glimpses of what might be one day. Physically has the tools but the game is still fast for him. Needs to develop the feel for it which unfortunately the G league isn’t quite there in terms of talent to replicate what he needs to learn

I think having to go against Brown and Tatum in practice is getting him more than he could have ever hoped. The Celtics are giving him an opportunity of a lifetime that he cannot get anywhere else. It’s on him and his health to reach his full potential and it’s looking really good for him so far.

That's why I'd rather him stay with the big club and go against the Jays everyday rather than put up empty stats in Maine. Also, Dr. Joe being in his ear is a lot better for his development than the coaches in Maine.

I Agree that he should be with the Big Club for the most part.
Yet, I can see Walsh still going to Maine; for Practices and an occasional Game.

[ConstableGeneva]

via Noa Dalzell:

NEW: Jordan Walsh asked at practice yesterday if he could spend his off day with the Maine Celtics.

Brad Stevens granted his wish.

“I would have been just sitting in my crib doing nothing. This is a way better alternative.”

Link: https://www.celticsblog.com/2024/12/8/24316573/jordan-walsh-maine-celtics-g-league-baylor-scheierman-tyler-lashbrook-greensboro-swarm

[Parliament10]

via Noa Dalzell:

NEW: Jordan Walsh asked at practice yesterday if he could spend his off day with the Maine Celtics.

Brad Stevens granted his wish.

“I would have been just sitting in my crib doing nothing. This is a way better alternative.”

Link: https://www.celticsblog.com/2024/12/8/24316573/jordan-walsh-maine-celtics-g-league-baylor-scheierman-tyler-lashbrook-greensboro-swarm

That's good. Get all them Reps in there.
Shows initiative. Springer should be doing the same.

[phincsfan]

via Noa Dalzell:

NEW: Jordan Walsh asked at practice yesterday if he could spend his off day with the Maine Celtics.

Brad Stevens granted his wish.

“I would have been just sitting in my crib doing nothing. This is a way better alternative.”

Link: https://www.celticsblog.com/2024/12/8/24316573/jordan-walsh-maine-celtics-g-league-baylor-scheierman-tyler-lashbrook-greensboro-swarm

That's good. Get all them Reps in there.
Shows initiative. Springer should be doing the same.

Good for Jordan

I bet Springer said no to any talk about playing in Maine

[cl2117]

I don't know why more guys don't do this. NBA teams don't get enough practice time during the season and these fringe guys never get enough run, why not go down to the G and get some competitive minutes under your belt.

I know there's something to be said for being around the team and absorbing as much as possible and working with that group of guys (as well as the coaches etc.) but this feels like the best of both worlds, especially when the G team is only a short trip away. Love that this was something he wanted to do, love that he went there and played amazingly, love that the team was willing to let him do it. Would love to see a lot more of this.

Nice to see Lashbrook be willing to have him yo-yo back and forth because I can appreciate how that might make things more difficult for him as the G League coach (it's not like letting a pitcher go down to AAA for a bit). But ultimately this is what the G is for, it's supposed to support the big league club. They should be playing Mazzulla ball, even if they don't quite have the roster for it, they should be playing these guys in the role that they'd play with the C's even if they can do more at the lower level, they should be welcoming fringe guys back with open arms and give them plenty of run when they do. The goal should be developing these guys so that they have potential value for the C's in the long-run and this feels like a great example of how they can do that.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

I don't know why more guys don't do this. NBA teams don't get enough practice time during the season and these fringe guys never get enough run, why not go down to the G and get some competitive minutes under your belt.

I know there's something to be said for being around the team and absorbing as much as possible and working with that group of guys (as well as the coaches etc.) but this feels like the best of both worlds, especially when the G team is only a short trip away. Love that this was something he wanted to do, love that he went there and played amazingly, love that the team was willing to let him do it. Would love to see a lot more of this.

Nice to see Lashbrook be willing to have him yo-yo back and forth because I can appreciate how that might make things more difficult for him as the G League coach (it's not like letting a pitcher go down to AAA for a bit). But ultimately this is what the G is for, it's supposed to support the big league club. They should be playing Mazzulla ball, even if they don't quite have the roster for it, they should be playing these guys in the role that they'd play with the C's even if they can do more at the lower level, they should be welcoming fringe guys back with open arms and give them plenty of run when they do. The goal should be developing these guys so that they have potential value for the C's in the long-run and this feels like a great example of how they can do that.

To some extent you need a dose of irrational confidence just to overcome the adversity and the odds and to make it to the NBA but that doesn't pair well with the self awareness required to stick in the league once you get there. That why you have too many role players like Jabari Parker saying stuff like they don't pay me to play defense and that have an inflated opinion of their place in the NBA ecosystem. That means they see going to the G-League as a demotion instead of an opportunity to work on their game.

One of my biggest criticism of the end of Ainge's tenure is how he completely overlooked the G-League as a pipeline for adding talent. Meanwhile under Stevens the Celtics seem to find a rotation player in Maine like every season and it makes a big difference when trying to sustain a contender if you can add a Kornet, a Hauser or a Queta without giving up assets. As for playing Mazzulla ball, well they put up 43 threes per game but only make 31% so like you said they are trying but they don't have the personnel to do it (they also have other typical Mazzulla ball numbers such as low turnover and free throw rates).

[brackdan70]

Jordan is the Jordan of G league when he goes up there. Great to get some reps. I’d really like to see Joe give him some more PT with the big club.

[redslastlaugh]

Now that we have some sample to look at, was Jordan Walsh the correct pick at 38 in the 2023 draft?

These are the players drafted later than Jordan who have played minutes this season
1. Toumani Camara
2. Jalen Wilson
3. Jordan Miller
4. Trayce Jackson-Davis
5. Rayan Rupert
6. Isaiah Wong
7. Sidy Cissoko
8. Maxwell Lewis
9. Mouhammed Gueye

And then undrafted players
1. Ricky Council
2. Tyrese Martin
3. Adam Flagler
4. Adama Sanogo

And we ended up with Drew Peterson undrafted in 2023.

I like the Walsh pick, still like the upside. Like Drew Peterson as UDFA. But I think Camara, for sure, would have been nice. And maybe a couple of others, Jalen Wilson, Sidy Cissoko… TJD has been a steal but if Joe only wants Queta and Luke as non shooters, I can see why Brad passed on him, though I have loved TJD physicality against Giannis when I’ve caught Warriors/Bucks…

So fundamentally, I still like the Walsh pick, Peterson may end up better. And 2023 looks like a really deep draft, maybe 10 second rounders and undrafted guys with a chance at a lengthy, productive career

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Now that we have some sample to look at, was Jordan Walsh the correct pick at 38 in the 2023 draft?

These are the players drafted later than Jordan who have played minutes this season
1. Toumani Camara
2. Jalen Wilson
3. Jordan Miller
4. Trayce Jackson-Davis
5. Rayan Rupert
6. Isaiah Wong
7. Sidy Cissoko
8. Maxwell Lewis
9. Mouhammed Gueye

And then undrafted players
1. Ricky Council
2. Tyrese Martin
3. Adam Flagler
4. Adama Sanogo

And we ended up with Drew Peterson undrafted in 2023.

I like the Walsh pick, still like the upside. Like Drew Peterson as UDFA. But I think Camara, for sure, would have been nice. And maybe a couple of others, Jalen Wilson, Sidy Cissoko… TJD has been a steal but if Joe only wants Queta and Luke as non shooters, I can see why Brad passed on him, though I have loved TJD physicality against Giannis when I’ve caught Warriors/Bucks…

So fundamentally, I still like the Walsh pick, Peterson may end up better. And 2023 looks like a really deep draft, maybe 10 second rounders and undrafted guys with a chance at a lengthy, productive career

None of those guys would crack the regular Celtics rotation either. Jackson-Davis has made 4 jumpers in his entire NBA career and shoots sub 60% from the line: his jump shot is Ben Simmons level broken. Unsurprisingly he also has very poor touch (40% on layups this season). Also he is undersized for his position and his numbers are down from his rookie year which isn't a great sign for his future outlook. Someone picked after Walsh might end up with a better career (Camara based on available evidence seems most likely) but I feel pretty confident saying it's not going to be Jackson-Davis who looks more like the next Jordan Bell than the next great second round steal.

[redslastlaugh]

Now that we have some sample to look at, was Jordan Walsh the correct pick at 38 in the 2023 draft?

These are the players drafted later than Jordan who have played minutes this season
1. Toumani Camara
2. Jalen Wilson
3. Jordan Miller
4. Trayce Jackson-Davis

None of those guys would crack the regular Celtics rotation either. Jackson-Davis has made 4 jumpers in his entire NBA career and shoots sub 60% from the line: his jump shot is Ben Simmons level broken. Unsurprisingly he also has very poor touch (40% on layups this season). Also he is undersized for his position and his numbers are down from his rookie year which isn't a great sign for his future outlook. Someone picked after Walsh might end up with a better career (Camara based on available evidence seems most likely) but I feel pretty confident saying it's not going to be Jackson-Davis who looks more like the next Jordan Bell than the next great second round steal.

I haven’t watched much GSW this season, and whatever the flaws in TJDs game, it is notable that a 57th pick is 17th in his draft class in mins played and top five in win shares. If Anton Watson, at any point, is top five in his class in win shares, i will throw a parade, lol

Generally speaking, with the increased physicality league allowing, +240 lb power forwards, seem to be of increased importance defensively. To win a title it’s possible a team would need to guard Giannis, guard Draymond and/or guard Aaron Gordon on back line lobs. And TJD on $2 per year, seems potentially valuable for that role. Jaylin Williams of OKC, tho not in 2023 class, is another young minimum big who seems like he’d be useful on a roster. Admittedly, speaking of having a down year, we do have that archetypal player on the roster in Xavier Tillman