Boston Celtics Summer League coach dials up hype for debuting draft pick
Boston Celtics 2023 draft pick Jordan Walsh will be making his NBA debut in the Las Vegas Summer League team under the acting head coach in Sin City, Tony Dobbins. On July 1, Dobbins dialed up the hype for the debuting second-rounder out of Arkansas while speaking to NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg.
Summer league coach Tony Dobbins on Jordan Walsh's role: "It's exciting because you see a lot of different things on the court where he can make his imprint and impact the game. I think for a young player that's exciting because it doesn't put pressure on him to do one thing."
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) July 1, 2023
“It’s exciting because you see a lot of different things on the court where he can make his imprint and impact the game,” Dobbins said.
Dobbins believes Walsh’s versatility will ultimately take the pressure off of the incoming rookie and allow him to develop at his own pace while contributing from the jump.
“I think for a young player that’s exciting because it doesn’t put pressure on him to do one thing.”
Jordan Walsh on what he envisions of himself at the Las Vegas Summer League for the Boston Celtics
Walsh sounded enthusiastic about the chance to begin his NBA journey in the Association’s Sin City sprint of a slate every middle of July, voicing as much at the “Live, Learn, and Play” renovation at the Cambridge Community Center on June 26 (h/t Inside The Celtics).
“I’m one of those guys who’s gonna defend the one through four relentlessly,” Walsh prefaced before saying, “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.”
Boston can certainly use youngsters with such a foundation. The Celtics are about to dole out hundreds of millions, nearing the billion mark, to the trio of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis in the coming years while also paying eight-figure salaries to Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon (if he’s not traded), Al Horford, and Robert Williams III. Walsh is the kind of cost-efficient option that could develop into a valuable role player down the line.
The Celtics will likely slot in Sam Hauser and free agent signing Oshae Brissett in front of Walsh from the jump, but there’s always a chance something less predictable can happen, ie. the ex-Razorback proving to be ready to make the SEC-to-NBA jump as a non-project who can contribute in the short-term.