Jordan Walsh reveals what matters most when guarding 76ers star Tyrese Maxey

While sitting together on the Celtics' team plane, Jaylen Brown and Jordan Walsh discussed the blueprint that would get the latter into Boston's rotation. With Jrue Holiday gone, Jayson Tatum rehabbing, and the former Finals MVP shouldering more responsibility on offense, there was a defensive void to step into.

Walsh, a defensive menace at the University of Arkansas, had the tools to play a significant part in the Celtics' utilizing their depth to address that. Living up to his potential on that side of the ball is at the heart of how he earned 25 starts this season.

After holding James Harden to 1/4 against him in a November win against the Los Angeles Clippers, Payton Pritchard voiced a similar sentiment as the one Brown poured into Walsh.

"He brings an energy, guarding the best [offensive player] every night, and I think that's his calling card," said Pritchard. "He needs to continue it cause he has great potential in that area. And as offensive game grows, but his defensive game, that's what will keep him on the court."

The six-foot-six wing's combination of length and quick feet makes him uniquely suited for the next challenge in front of the Celtics, as they try to slow down Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey.

Jordan Walsh shares the keys to his success against Tyrese Maxey

The 22-year-old's performance against the Sixers in a 102-100 loss in early November was arguably the most encouraging takeaway from that matchup.

Walsh held Maxey, who generated the fifth-most points per game this season [28.3], to 1/9 shooting as his primary defender. That included swatting one of his attempts. In the final frame, the two-time All-Star went 1/4 against the third-year wing. That included going 1/3 in crunch time, defined as the final five minutes of a contest within five points.

The Texas native didn't guard Maxey as much when these two rivals reconvened in Boston on Mar. 1. However, he held him to just one field goal attempt, a shot that fell off the mark, while defending him for 1:11.

"Taking away tendencies, and then knowing the small things that get under his skin," said Walsh when conveying the keys to defending Maxey a day before Game 1 of the Celtics' first-round series against the 76ers. "I think the biggest thing is kind of just like I've been saying all year, not letting the guy do what they want to do. Make them go to their second option, their third option, their second move, stuff like that. Like, if he wants to go right and do a step-back, just don't let him do that. Make him do something else. And then usually, we'll live with the end result."

Walsh wants to be an irritant to Philadelphia's franchise guard. It's a role he relishes, applying airtight pressure and living in his assignment's jersey.

Brown has aided his preparation for that.

"I'm with JB now, talking to him about things that might seem like things to get under his skin, kind of like stuff that's beyond the scouting report that I'm trying to learn and apply, but I think that's the biggest thing for sure," said Walsh.

Film reviews have also played a crucial role in him tapping into his defensive potential this season. That has allowed him to win with anticipation, including against Maxey.

"I think a big part of it is knowing their tendencies, because the way that we play is if you can make them take a shot that we want them to take, then -- and if he makes it, then it's like, 'alright, kudos to him,'" said Walsh after getting the best of Maxey in that November clash in "The City of Brotherly Love." "Just trying to force him into uncomfortable situations, where he has to play a different style of basketball than he's used to."

Walsh's film sessions in preparation for his opportunities against him in the playoffs are also a source of confidence, as he learns even more about how best to guard the head of the snake for the 76ers.

"There's a couple things that I've learned through with talking to JB, he's kind of like taken point in that, and showed me the film behind the film that people don't see. But there's definitely things that I think I'm going to be better at, that I've seen, that I will be better at, and also other things that I get to add and test out, kind of play with to see if it really gets under his skin or makes him mad or gives me some type of an advantage."

Speedy guards can give Boston trouble. Maxey is a rising star with the ability to get to his spots against anybody. It could help that since suffering a tendon injury in his right pinky, he's struggling from beyond the arc. Since that diagnosis on Mar. 10, he has been shooting 31.6 percent from three-point range. He converted on 36.7 percent of those attempts for the season.

While it goes against being an irritant, if Maxey doesn't recapture his touch from behind the three-point line, perhaps Walsh and defenders who lack his defensive agility will play a bit farther back to help keep the Sixers' star from exploiting them downhill.

However, Walsh is as well-equipped as anyone on the team to stay with the quick-footed guard, regardless of how well he is shooting the ball. That positions the young wing as an X-factor in this series. It's an opportunity he is ready for.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow