But it’s Walsh’s defense that continues to distinguish him.
Before the Celtics selected Walsh with the 38th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Arkansas coach Eric Musselman routinely described his teenage forward as a “violent defender.”
With Walsh finally breaking down the door to consistent playing time this season, we’re starting to see the violence that was promised. Walsh has been an elite defender … and he’s routinely embraced the challenges of defending the opposing team’s top offensive threat.
On Sunday, Walsh logged six minutes, 47 seconds of matchup time against Donovan Mitchell, defending the Cavs star for a game-high 43 total possessions. Mitchell scored four points on 2-of-8 shooting with two turnovers when Walsh was his primary defender, per NBA tracking data.
Walsh’s defensive metrics have been excellent, even as Joe Mazzulla dispatches him against some of the NBA’s elite. Among the 78 players 6-foot-7 and under who have defended at least nine shots per game with 10-plus games played, Walsh ranks second in the NBA while holding opponents to 7.2 percent below expected output.
Opponents are shooting just 40.2 percent against Walsh (47.4 percent expected). He sits one spot ahead of All-Defense stalwart Draymond Green (-7.1 percent), and only Derrick Jones Jr. (-10.8 percent) has a better mark from that group.
Not enough credit goes to his 7’3 wingspan. He fits Kahwi measurements pretty closely, and those that remember Kahwi’s first years in the league he was not known as an offensive star. It took him time to get there.
Not saying Jordan Walsh is the next Kahwi, but he has rhe physical gifts. He’ll need to continue working hard to be a great basketball player just as all the greats have. He has a jumpstart over players like Prichard who wasn’t so genetically lucky for basketball. We’ll see what how well he can harness those gifts.
> On Sunday, Walsh logged six minutes, 47 seconds of matchup time against Donovan Mitchell, defending the Cavs star for a game-high 43 total possessions. Mitchell scored four points on 2-of-8 shooting with two turnovers when Walsh was his primary defender, per NBA tracking data.
Walsh is stopping the exact player types that have given us trouble in the past. First Maxey and now Mitchell? The POA defense on this dude
If after this season we get Walsh as an established defensive presence, Hugo as a guy who is on a path for defensive asset next year, Queta taking a leap this year, and Minot becoming Leon Powe, I’d be ecstatic for next season.
He’s shown development and improved overall this year. It seems like he genuinely listens to coaches and the veterans and is doing everything he can to get better. He doesn’t complain or run his mouth, he just does whatever they ask him to do.
Extremely promising for a kid that’s only 21 years old.
I love him. It would be awesome to see him become a major piece somewhere in the near future.
Today I learned Jordan is only 6’6″
The dude looks 6’10” with that wingspan
I hope he gets better and truly earns Joe’s trust.
When Tatum gets back, im going to assume PP goes back to 6th man duties, a line up of Derrick, JB, Walsh, Tatum and TBD will be a heck of a defensive lineup
I’ve never been high on him based on past years’ reports, but I’m happy for him that he’s able to make the most of the chance he’s been given now.
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Coming off his first real dud since elevating to the starting lineup when he struggled to make a positive impact in [Saturday’s loss in Minnesota](https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/live-updates-celtics-timberwolves-highlights-anthony-edwards/750231/), Jordan Walsh posted career highs on Sunday night while piling up 14 points and 11 rebounds.
But it’s Walsh’s defense that continues to distinguish him.
Before the Celtics selected Walsh with the 38th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Arkansas coach Eric Musselman routinely described his teenage forward as a “violent defender.”
[Musselman later told NBC Sports Boston](https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/jordan-walsh-scouting-report-celtics-rookie-violent-defender/540228/): “It’s about violently jumping in passing lanes, violently going after rebounds, and rebounding the ball outside of his area. He can crash into bodies, he’s not afraid of contact. And hence the phrase, ‘Violent defender.’”
With Walsh finally breaking down the door to consistent playing time this season, we’re starting to see the violence that was promised. Walsh has been an elite defender … and he’s routinely embraced the challenges of defending the opposing team’s top offensive threat.
On Sunday, Walsh logged six minutes, 47 seconds of matchup time against Donovan Mitchell, defending the Cavs star for a game-high 43 total possessions. Mitchell scored four points on 2-of-8 shooting with two turnovers when Walsh was his primary defender, per NBA tracking data.
Walsh’s defensive metrics have been excellent, even as Joe Mazzulla dispatches him against some of the NBA’s elite. Among the 78 players 6-foot-7 and under who have defended at least nine shots per game with 10-plus games played, Walsh ranks second in the NBA while holding opponents to 7.2 percent below expected output.
Opponents are shooting just 40.2 percent against Walsh (47.4 percent expected). He sits one spot ahead of All-Defense stalwart Draymond Green (-7.1 percent), and only Derrick Jones Jr. (-10.8 percent) has a better mark from that group.
[Read more here](https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/jordan-walsh-defense-stats-cavaliers/750590/).
Not enough credit goes to his 7’3 wingspan. He fits Kahwi measurements pretty closely, and those that remember Kahwi’s first years in the league he was not known as an offensive star. It took him time to get there.
Not saying Jordan Walsh is the next Kahwi, but he has rhe physical gifts. He’ll need to continue working hard to be a great basketball player just as all the greats have. He has a jumpstart over players like Prichard who wasn’t so genetically lucky for basketball. We’ll see what how well he can harness those gifts.
> On Sunday, Walsh logged six minutes, 47 seconds of matchup time against Donovan Mitchell, defending the Cavs star for a game-high 43 total possessions. Mitchell scored four points on 2-of-8 shooting with two turnovers when Walsh was his primary defender, per NBA tracking data.
Walsh is stopping the exact player types that have given us trouble in the past. First Maxey and now Mitchell? The POA defense on this dude
If after this season we get Walsh as an established defensive presence, Hugo as a guy who is on a path for defensive asset next year, Queta taking a leap this year, and Minot becoming Leon Powe, I’d be ecstatic for next season.
He’s shown development and improved overall this year. It seems like he genuinely listens to coaches and the veterans and is doing everything he can to get better. He doesn’t complain or run his mouth, he just does whatever they ask him to do.
Extremely promising for a kid that’s only 21 years old.
I love him. It would be awesome to see him become a major piece somewhere in the near future.
Today I learned Jordan is only 6’6″
The dude looks 6’10” with that wingspan
I hope he gets better and truly earns Joe’s trust.
When Tatum gets back, im going to assume PP goes back to 6th man duties, a line up of Derrick, JB, Walsh, Tatum and TBD will be a heck of a defensive lineup
I’ve never been high on him based on past years’ reports, but I’m happy for him that he’s able to make the most of the chance he’s been given now.
i love violence