Jordan Walsh, the Boston Celtics’ 2023 draft pick, will make his NBA debut in the Las Vegas Summer League team led by Tony Dobbins, the city’s interim head coach. While speaking with NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg on July 1, Dobbins pumped up the enthusiasm for the debuting second-rounder out of Arkansas.
“It’s exciting because you see a lot of different things on the court where he can make his imprint and impact the game,” summer league coach Tony Dobbins says of Jordan Walsh’s position. I believe that’s interesting for a young player because it doesn’t place too much pressure on him to perform one thing.”
“It’s exciting because you can see a lot of different things on the court where he can make his imprint and impact the game,” Dobbins said.
Dobbins feels Walsh’s adaptability will eventually relieve pressure on the incoming rookie, allowing him to develop at his own pace while contributing right away.
“I think that’s exciting for a young player because it doesn’t put pressure on him to do one thing.”
Walsh expressed excitement at the opportunity to begin his NBA career in the League’s Sin City sprint of a slate every middle of July, speaking at the “Live, Learn, and Play” makeover at the Cambridge Community Center on June 26 (h/t Inside The Celtics).
“I’m one of those guys who’s going to defend the one through four relentlessly,” Walsh said before adding, “I’m going to do whatever it takes to get that stop; that’s gonna give us an advantage over the other team.” And that is the foundation of my game. That’s the basis of my game.”
Boston could surely benefit from such a foundation. In the future years, the Celtics will pay hundreds of millions, if not billions, to the triumvirate of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis, while also paying eight-figure deals to Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon (if not dealt), Al Horford, and Robert Williams III. Walsh is the type of low-cost alternative who could grow into a significant role player in the future.
The Celtics will almost certainly start Sam Hauser and free agent signing Oshae Brissett in front of Walsh, but there’s always the chance that something unexpected will happen, such as the ex-Razorback proving to be ready to make the SEC-to-NBA transition as a non-project who can contribute in the short term.
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