Austin Rivers believes the relaxed environment in Boston this season has allowed one of their stars to really change up his game.
Boston’s approach this year looks a lot different from what fans have grown used to. For the first time in almost a decade, they are not playing with championship expectations hanging over them.
Jayson Tatum’s injury during last year’s playoffs forced the team to blow up their 2024 title roster and take things in a new direction.
Boston’s strategy this year centres on developing younger talent. Meanwhile, players such as Derrick White have expanded their roles, filling the gap created by recent player departures.
One player who has recently become a key piece is Jordan Walsh, consistently contributing as a reliable role player off the bench.
Austin Rivers praises ‘swiss army knife’ Jordan Walsh on Celtics
Austin Rivers discussed Jordan Walsh’s growing role with the Boston Celtics on his podcast, highlighting how well the young player has taken to his new responsibilities.
Rivers described Walsh as a versatile two-way player who is shaping up to be an important addition for Boston, and believes that once Tatum is back, the 21-year-old could play a significant role in their plans.
“Now they got this damn kid, Jordan Walsh, freak athlete. I got to see him up close versus the Pistons last week. He does everything. He rebounds, deflects, and picks up full court.
“He’s like a Swiss Army Knife. You put him out there, and he’ll have 10 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, and a high plus/minus. He’s got a high motor.
“That’s what happens when you’re having a down year like this… They’re not winning a championship this year… When you have a year like this, I like to call it a trial-and-error year…
“What happens is, when you have that type of talent just lingering, and you give opportunities, you end up finding guys like him. That’s a find!
“Now, when Tatum comes back, you add a couple of free agents next summer, Jordan’s a key piece now. Or he’s an asset to trade…
“That’s a whole different dude than the one they had in there. They’re just adding weapons to this team that’ll be in full force next year.”
Jordan Walsh is proving to be another great pick-up for the Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have shown real success in player development over recent years, and Payton Pritchard’s rise to a starting role is a prime example of that progress.
Walsh’s journey with the Celtics is another example of how the club has found value in unexpected places, turning him into a useful player who fits well into their system.
This season, Walsh has been averaging 7.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. Those numbers highlight his ability to contribute on both sides of the floor.
While it is unlikely that Walsh will step into a starting spot anytime soon, he remains an important part of the rotation and is capable of putting up solid performances when called upon.
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