Celtics’ lone rookie developing killer mindset during NBA Finals run

BOSTON — All the way back in training camp, when Jordan Walsh first met his new Celtics teammates, it was natural to be a little starstruck. Just months before, the then-teenage Walsh was busy watching the C’s on his television in the playoffs.

But as Walsh’s rookie season wraps up, he’s no longer the bright-eyed newcomer. Now, he’s trying to push Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown whenever they’re matched up against practice. And that’s part of the value the Celtics’ lone rookie can bring to an NBA Finals run even if he isn’t playing every night. As he so eloquently put it: “I’m here to kill you in practice. I don’t care who you are, I’m trying to kill. So that’s kind of the mentality I have.”

“If you put me against JT, I’m going at his throat,” Walsh added. “I’m trying to lock him up. Obviously him and JB, I play one-on-one with them. It’s just about always showing I’m a competitor, I’m never giving up. I don’t care who you are. I’m going to fight like hell to try and beat you in whatever we’re doing.”

Walsh, 20, is in a unique position. He was selected No. 38 in last year’s draft, meaning he’s the lone rookie on Boston’s 15-man roster. Walsh spent most of the season with the G-League Maine Celtics, getting some occasional call-ups to the big club. But his work was mainly behind the scenes during the regular season, sharpening his game and mind during practices.

After the G League Finals run, Walsh now gets to see up-close what it takes to win on the biggest stage the sport has to offer. The attention to detail, he said, is what pops out to him the most as the stakes are so much higher in the playoffs. So between practices and being around the team, the rookie’s trying to soak in everything he can. Walsh said he’s talked often with Xavier Tillman, Al Horford and Jrue Holiday throughout these playoffs, just trying to get whatever advice the veterans are willing to dish.

“It’s crazy: Jordan Walsh is going to be really, really good,” Tillman said. “So we do these things called stay-ready groups where we get to scrimmage and stuff like that against one another, against the people who may or may not be in rotation. He is a special guy. He walked in the gym, no stretch, and wind-miled dunked. I was mind blown.”

Walsh had a successful rookie season, getting plenty of playing time in the G League. He was a one-and-done prospect out of Arkansas — and his measurables are the first thing that pops out. Walsh stands 6-foot-7 and is armed with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, which is why Boston president Brad Stevens pointed out his defensive potential on draft night.

The rookie still has a long way to go, but he said he’s already made great progress since the beginning of his rookie season. In 27 G League games, Walsh averaged 14.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists. His 36.1% mark on 5.7 3-pointers is also a good sign as the C’s hope he can keep developing his shot at the next level in the NBA. There’s a lot of value in a player like Walsh even if he’s not ready to contribute in the present. As the salary cap becomes tight in a few years, getting cheap production out of a second-round pick like Walsh will be crucial for the Celtics to keep their roster competitive.

“My game, personally, has slowed down,” Walsh said. “I’m trying to play more of what they would call a vet style. You don’t always want to be full speed, running as fast as you can because then you make mistakes. It’s about slowing down. Assessing the situation. Making the right read 98% of the time.”

For now, all Walsh has to do is develop his game while getting a front-row seat to greatness. He even gets the fun wrinkle of playing in front of his hometown of Dallas during the Finals. Back in January, Walsh said he had about 30-40 friends and family members in attendance when the Celtics played at American Airlines Center. But this time, Walsh said tickets are so expensive he can’t have that big of a group. And with his team going up against his friends and family, all he wants is bragging rights.

“My friends are cheering for me,” Walsh said. “Some of my family members have been Mavs fans forever. We get the trophy, they’re going to be the first ones I call. I’m calling straight to them talking my trash.”