Jayson Tatum’s return checklist, Jordan Walsh’s admirers, and other nuggets about the Celtics
It probably falls somewhere between possible and likely, but a league source stressed that the team remains several steps away from even considering the decision. Tatum must still reach several mile markers in his recovery before discussions about a return can be considered.
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⋅ Add Bucks coach Doc Rivers to the growing list of Jordan Walsh admirers. Before Thursday’s game, he said he has been impressed by the third-year wing’s defensive tenacity.
“It seems like they just put him on anybody to pressure,” Rivers said. “His energy is infectious, man. If you don’t want to play hard when you’re watching him play, then there’s something wrong with you.”
Coming out of college, Walsh was known as a high-level defender with a slightly unpolished offensive game. He connected on just 17 of 64 3-pointers over his first two NBA seasons (26.6 percent).
But Walsh is crafting an unfathomably hot shooting stretch. This month, he has made 30 of 37 attempts overall and 9 of 12 3-pointers.
⋅ Walsh has been at the forefront of the Celtics’ push to apply more full-court ball pressure this season. The emphasis has been a growing trend throughout the league, and coach Joe Mazzulla said the Celtics are simply adjusting to the ever-changing game, as well as players who seem to become more athletic by the year.
“It’s just another way to impact, because players have gotten too good,” Mazzulla said. “I think the systems have gotten good. Offensively, it’s hard to guard guys, and you don’t want to take a passive approach defensively. So I think that’s one of the areas why it’s grown, is just taking a more proactive approach. Obviously, all the analytics, the later you get into your offense and that stuff, that plays a part, as well.”
⋅ Mazzulla continues to lean heavily on small lineups when center Neemias Queta is on the bench. Teams have been able to bulldoze into the lane for layups against these groups, but the early returns have been encouraging anyway, with the Celtics gashing opponents with their speed and shooting while holding their own on the defensive glass.
Yes, the sample size is miniscule, but the grouping of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Josh Minott, and Walsh has played 13 minutes together over five games and outscored opponents by a whopping 100.2 points per 100 possessions.
⋅ Two-way contract center Amari Williams was a surprise addition to the injury report this week with a hairline fracture in his right hand. A league source said Williams suffered the injury when he hit the hand during Maine’s win over the College Park Skyhawks on Monday, but that he is unlikely to be sidelined for an extended period. The rookie big man registered 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in the game.
⋅ Speaking of Maine, the Celtics’ G League affiliate quietly rolled off a nine-game winning streak under first-year coach Phil Pressey before a blowout loss to Capital City on Friday. Pressey was a backup point guard for Celtics teams coached by Brad Stevens from 2013-15. Last season, he frequently attended Mazzulla’s pregame press conferences to start preparing for his new role.
⋅ So, has anyone noticed that the defending champion Thunder are 24-1 and on pace to win an NBA-record 79 games? The Celtics visit Oklahoma City on March 12, and the Thunder come to TD Garden 13 days later.
⋅ The NBA Cup has really created a clunky schedule. The Celtics played six games in nine days from Nov. 29-Dec. 7. Now they are in a stretch in which they will play just two in 11 days. Rivers on Thursday suggested moving the NBA Cup title game to All-Star Weekend. Good luck with that idea, but it does seem like some adjustments are needed.
Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @adamhimmelsbach.
