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Jordan Walsh Discusses His First Celtics' Practice, Summer League Goals, and a Grant Williams Anecdote
The Celtics were as active as any team on draft night, making four trades, moving back multiple times, including out of the first round, and accumulating future second-round picks. But they held onto the 38th overall selection, using it to add forward Jordan Walsh.
The franchise's president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, described the former Arkansas Razorback as having a "special ability laterally and with his (seven-foot-two) wingspan to swallow people up defensively."
And in a conversation with WBZ's Dan Roche, Walsh's collegiate head coach, Eric Musselman, labeled him a "violent defender."
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The Texas native is six-foot-seven with a seven-foot-two wingspan, moves his feet well, has a high-basketball IQ, and wreaks havoc with air-tight on-ball pressure. He's also a terrific help defender who closes out in control, allowing him to contest shots and play the drive.
"I'm one of those guys who's gonna defend the one through four relentlessly," voiced Walsh Monday at the "Live, Learn, and Play" renovation at the Cambridge Community Center.
"I'm gonna do whatever it takes to get that stop; that's gonna give us an advantage on the other team. And that's what my game is (built) around. That's the foundation for my game."
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Saturday, the rookie, who will wear number 27, went through his first NBA practice as Boston gears up for Summer League, which starts for the Celtics on July 8.
"It was good," expressed an upbeat Walsh. "It was way more competition stuff than I thought it was gonna be, which made it even more fun for me. Just be able to get up and down and play with those guys and get a feel for them; that was an amazing first day, for sure."
And while his defensive prowess could lead to him contributing immediately, if he becomes a reliable shooter, it'll raise his ceiling. It could lead to him developing into a starting-caliber player.
Regarding what he's working on to improve that aspect of his game, Walsh told Inside The Celtics, "Consistent footwork and getting up more reps, more game-speed reps that are makes that I can see go in, I feel like that's the biggest part, and that's what I've been talking about with the coaches, so that's what we're working on."
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He also conveyed to Inside The Celtics that his goal for Summer League is "to win every game, for sure. I want to be able to dominate every single game with the team and get a W."
His head coach in Las Vegas will be Tony Dobbins, who shared his initial impressions of the 19-year-old rookie.
"Super excited to work with him. He's very happy to be here. And hungry to improve and wants to get better each day. He brings a great attitude and work ethic into the building and onto the floor, and he wants to improve every day, so it's been fun working with him so far."
As for getting to know his new teammates or at least someone who might fit that description, Walsh chuckled while sharing that while in the weight room, Grant Williams, not short on confidence, evaluated the two's physique, saying the rookie is "built like a bug, and everybody can't be built like me, like a God."
Further Reading
Celtics Sign Forward Oshae Brissett
Celtics Reportedly Interested in Signing Terence Davis
Celtics, Kristaps Porzingis Agree to 2-Year, $60 Million Extension
Grant Williams Discusses Marcus Smart's Departure, Free Agency, and Recovery from Hand Surgery
Jordan Walsh Discusses Getting Drafted by Celtics, His Welcome to Boston
Brad Stevens Shares What Compelled Celtics to Trade for Kristaps Porzingis
Brad Stevens Discusses Difficult Decision to Trade Marcus Smart: 'He'll Always Have Boston'
Marcus Smart Felt "Shock" and "Hurt" Over Trade from Boston Celtics
