Examining Jordan Walsh’s Potential Role as a Rookie for the Boston Celtics

Title: Celtics’ Rookie Jordan Walsh Shows Promise in Summer League, Following Grant Williams’ Path

Subtitle: Walsh’s defensive skills and potential to contribute offensively make him an intriguing prospect for the Celtics

Date: [Insert Date]

Four years ago, the Boston Celtics were in need of front-court help, specifically someone with toughness and tenacity who could provide solid minutes on a nightly basis. Enter Grant Williams, a 20-year-old rookie who lacked shooting skills but caught the attention of coach Brad Stevens.

Williams quickly earned a spot in the rotation and even played in every playoff game during the Celtics’ bubble run, showcasing his ability to knock down shots and defend against some of the league’s top players. However, Williams struggled to maintain his place in the lineup last season, leading to his departure from the team in a sign-and-trade deal with the Dallas Mavericks.

Now, the Celtics have drafted Jordan Walsh, a rookie facing a similar situation to Williams when he first joined the team. Walsh’s performance in the summer league has shown glimpses of his potential, particularly in his ability to hit open spot-up threes and display confidence in taking easy looks.

Although Walsh still needs to improve his touch and shooting consistency, he has shown promise in his offensive game. His best shot of the summer league came off a quick handoff, where he confidently launched a three-pointer and made it. However, Walsh will face challenges as defenses become more aware of his strengths and weaknesses.

One area where Walsh excels is his defensive skills. With his tremendous length as a wing, he can guard multiple positions, including power forwards. The Celtics have utilized him to press full court against point guards and make difficult switches on the perimeter. While Walsh’s aggressive defensive style may lead to fouls, he has shown the ability to recover and disrupt opponents’ drives.

Despite his defensive prowess, Walsh still needs to work on his positioning and navigating screens. He has a natural feel for getting on top of drivers without fouling, but he will face faster opponents in the NBA. However, his ability to stay disciplined and avoid unnecessary contact has been evident in his college career.

Overall, Walsh’s performance in the summer league has impressed the Celtics coaching staff. While he may not be ready for significant minutes right away, he can provide the defensive skills and energy needed at the three/four spot, especially with the departure of Grant Williams. Walsh’s raw talent and potential make him an intriguing prospect for the Celtics, and if he continues to put in the work, he could make a surprise appearance in the team’s second unit.

The Celtics have high hopes for Walsh, and with a few months before training camp, he has the opportunity to refine his skills and make a strong case for a spot in the rotation.

(Photo: Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)Title: Grant Williams’ Departure Opens Door for Rookie Jordan Walsh in Celtics’ Frontcourt

Subtitle: Walsh’s Summer League Performance Shows Promise for Future Role

Date: [Insert Date]

By [Author’s Name]

Four years ago, the Boston Celtics were in need of front-court help, specifically someone with toughness and tenacity who could contribute 15 minutes per game. Enter Grant Williams, a 20-year-old rookie at the time who lacked shooting skills but was given a chance by head coach Brad Stevens.

Williams quickly earned a spot in the rotation and even played in every playoff game during the Celtics’ bubble run as a rookie, which ended with a Game 7 defeat to the Miami Heat. Over time, he developed into a reliable shooter and a key defender against some of the league’s top stars in the postseason. However, Williams fell out of favor in the rotation last season and only solidified his place in the lineup towards the end, culminating in another Game 7 conference finals loss to the Heat.

Now, Williams has completed a sign-and-trade deal to the Dallas Mavericks, marking his departure from the Celtics. In his place, the team has signed Oshae Brissett to a minimum deal, a young veteran forward known for his energy but with an unreliable shot. Additionally, the Celtics have drafted Jordan Walsh, a rookie who finds himself in a similar situation to Williams when he first joined the team.

During the summer league, Walsh has shown glimpses of a potential role for himself this season, although he will need to make significant improvements to reach that level. One crucial development is his ability to hit open spot-up three-pointers, displaying confidence in taking the easy looks that come his way.

While Walsh still lacks touch, he doesn’t shy away from shooting off the catch. His most comfortable shot during the opening weekend of the summer league came from a quick handoff, where he immediately launched the shot with space and found the bottom of the net.

In game two, when Washington ran him off the three-point line, Walsh confidently attacked the mid-range area with ample space instead of settling for an awkward pull-up. He showcased his passing ability with a behind-the-back pass to the corner, creating an open shot, and quickly finding a teammate under the hoop for an accurate pass.

However, Walsh’s rookie challenge will be countering defenses that are aware of his scouting report. Currently, he primarily drives to the basket, utilizing crossovers and hesitations to create contact and attempt floaters. His size is no longer a significant advantage in the NBA, and he struggles to find rhythm in these shots, often airballing or stumbling against summer league opponents. It’s important to note that the quality of defense significantly increases from summer league to preseason and regular season games.

Walsh has shown eagerness as a passer and remains active throughout possessions, making him a valuable asset in the corners. However, he has been trapped on several occasions and struggled to escape, although he has demonstrated patience in keeping his dribble alive and passing through the trap when an opportunity arises.

The Celtics drafted Walsh primarily for his defensive skills, as he possesses tremendous length as a wing and can even guard power forwards. Boston has utilized him on point guards, employing full-court press defense and switching when the guard attempts to hand the ball off to a cutter. While Walsh’s defensive style resembles that of Grant Williams, he will need to adjust to the craftiness and scoring ability of NBA ballhandlers.

Walsh’s willingness to defend with his hands forward and bump with his chest at the point of contact often results in fouls. However, he has the ability to take risks and recover quickly, as demonstrated by his attempts to intercept passes and subsequent recovery to shut down drives.

Although Walsh’s positioning and help coverage need improvement, he has a natural feel for getting on top of drivers without fouling. However, his lack of familiarity with the speed of NBA players who can handle his size may pose a challenge.

Overall, Walsh’s game shows promise, but the Celtics drafted him with the understanding that it will likely take a few years before he is ready for significant minutes. Nonetheless, he can provide the defensive skills and motor required at the three/four spot, especially with Grant Williams’ departure. Walsh may offer a different dynamic compared to Brissett.

While most rookies arrive at the summer league with some level of polish, Walsh has showcased raw skills that can be further developed. With a few months before training camp, he has the opportunity to refine his game and potentially make a surprise appearance in the second unit if he puts in the work.

[Insert Photo Caption: Photo: Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images]

How has Walsh’s decision-making improved throughout the summer league and what areas still need work?

Inconsistent with his decision-making. There have been instances where he has forced difficult passes or made questionable choices in transition.

On the defensive end, Walsh’s potential is evident. His length and athleticism allow him to guard multiple positions, and he has already shown the ability to disrupt opponents’ drives and recover quickly. However, he still needs to work on his positioning and navigating screens, as he will face faster and more skilled opponents in the NBA.

Overall, Walsh’s performance in the summer league has impressed the Celtics coaching staff. While he may not be ready for significant minutes right away, he has the potential to provide the defensive skills and energy needed at the three/four spot, especially with Williams’ departure. If he continues to work on his game and refine his skills, Walsh could make a surprise appearance in the team’s second unit.

The Celtics have high hopes for Walsh and believe that he can contribute in the future. With a few months before training camp, he has the opportunity to continue developing and make a strong case for a spot in the rotation. The team is excited to see how he progresses and how he can help fill the void left by Williams in the frontcourt.