Jrue Holiday’s advice to Jordan Walsh was key to his wild development

BRIGHTON — Over the summer, Jordan Walsh struggled. His time in Las Vegas was marred by a poor shooting performance and clear confidence issues. Fast forward a few months, and the preseason was a dream for the 20-year-old second-year forward. He was absolutely incredible.

In his five preseason appearances, Walsh was locked in on both ends of the floor. He averaged 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 45.5% from the floor and 36.8% from beyond the arc. But perhaps even more impressive was how slow the game looked for him. Walsh was playing within the team’s schemes on both ends, which is something he struggled with last year.

Jrue Holiday played a big part in that development.

Jrue Holiday gave Jordan Walsh some great advice

After Celtics practice on Friday, Walsh said that Holiday’s advice aided him in slowing down, reading the game, and not making rash decisions with the ball.

“I would say, after talking to Jrue a lot, he's told me that whenever you're going 100 miles per hour, you're gonna make a mistake,” Walsh said. “But if you're going 80, 85, you can make that right read, make that right decision. [and] see the floor clearly 99% of the time. And so, that's kind of how I took it. 

“Like, let me slow down a little bit. I can still get my first step off, off a triple threat, and get by somebody. Let me just slow down a little bit so I'm a little more under control. I can see the floor. I can make the right read. Stuff like that.”

Walsh’s compression down to the speed limit allowed him to be much more effective during the preseason. Last season, he would have gotten quite the speeding ticket.

“I was 110 (mph) for sure,” Walsh said of his in-game speed last year. “For sure. But now I'm trying to chill at a cool 87.”

Eighty-seven miles per hour still might get Walsh pulled over on the Pike, but with the way some Massachusetts drivers tend to drive, he could get away with it.

On the court, the difference has been staggering. Not only have Walsh’s three-pointers been falling at a higher rate, but he’s been able to put the ball on the floor and create for himself.

Having that level of confidence and composure could help Walsh see the floor more often this season, and that would give Boston a big-time boost.