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Scouting Report on Celtics' Second-Round Pick Jordan Walsh
Brad Stevens spent much of draft night trading back. First, out of the opening round, then doing so multiple times in the second.
But when it came time to make a selection for themselves, the Celtics went with Jordan Walsh from Arkansas. No one's played a game yet, and there are reasons he fell to 38, but this is a pick that fans should be optimistic about.
Walsh is an intelligent, versatile defender with a high motor and a 7-foot-2 wingspan. He's a terrific on-ball defender, who applies air-tight pressure, moves his feet well, and has lightning-fast hands. He fouls a lot, but as a rotation player off the bench, that'll be less of an issue.
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He's also an intelligent and disruptive help defender who covers a lot of ground on his closeouts. And when he gets there, he's balanced, in control, and able to play the drive.
Furthermore, he does an outstanding job navigating screens and not getting knocked off his route. Plus, he's never out of a play, and his length and motor led to many of his blocks coming from behind.
Offensively, he's a connector who sees the floor well. He's also aggressive on the offensive glass and has a knack for extending possessions.
There are also reasons to think Walsh solves his main weakness. If his shooting struggles are cognitive-based, don't expect that to happen. But it might be a product of operating with a narrow base. That should prove an easy fix.
With Walsh's work ethic, a shooting coach could help him develop into a reliable kick-out option. That would figure to make him a valuable role player. But even if there isn't much improvement from beyond the arc in his future, he has the savvy and the effort to make an impact with his facilitating and as a cutter.
He was a glue guy for Arkansas, quick to dive on the floor, and often came up with 50-50 balls. His intangibles are another reason to love what he brings to the table.
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Walsh will fit in Boston, can work around his biggest flaw, and there's reason to believe he'll improve as a shooter. With the 38th pick, the Celtics may have found a rotation player.
Further Reading
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