Jordan Walsh stunk up the joint at the Las Vegas Summer League back in July. Just ask … well, anyone.
Walsh, who’s entering his second season with the Celtics, said he received critical feedback from both the team and his own family after he made just 29.1% of his field goals and 13.3% of his 3-pointers at the annual young-player showcase.
It was, in his words, an “unacceptable” performance that triggered a necessary mindset shift. The 20-year-old spent the ensuing months focusing on the little things, working to become a more complete player in hopes of carving out a role on Boston’s loaded roster.
That pivot paid off. After a surprisingly impressive preseason, Walsh now looks like the favorite to fill the end-of-the-rotation spot previously occupied by Oshae Brissett.
One of the keys to his improvement, Walsh explained, has been intentionally playing at a slower pace — advice he picked up from veteran Celtics guard Jrue Holiday.
“I would say after talking to Jrue a lot, he’s told me that whenever you’re going 100 miles per hour, you’re going to make a mistake,” Walsh said. “But if you’re going 80-85, then you can make that right read, make that right decision, see the floor clearly 99% of the time. So that’s how I took it. Let me slow down a little bit. Like, I can still get my first step 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.”
During his rookie season, which included just nine NBA appearances, Walsh felt like he was going “110 (mph), for sure.”
“But now,” he added, “I’m trying to chill at a cool 87.”
Walsh wouldn’t speculate on what his role will look like as a Celtics sophomore, but he believes he’s been able to gain the respect of his more established teammates, with whom he often shared the floor this preseason. That recognition has helped him play with more confidence, yielding better results.
“During preseason, while it was going on, hearing the support of my teammates, trying to gain the respect of my teammates definitely boosted my confidence a lot more,” Walsh said. “Now (Payton Pritchard) is passing it to me a little bit more, (Jayson Tatum) is giving me advice, passing a little more. So all those things made me feel like I’m really a part of this team and I can help. Those guys believe it, and I believe it.”
