Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown has been instrumental in mentoring backup wing Jordan Walsh, encouraging him to take on the toughest defensive assignments in the league. Ahead of the Celtics’ road match against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 18, Walsh spoke to the media about his evolving role and the impact Brown has had on his defense.
Walsh, who has reconfigured his seating arrangements on team flights to sit beside Brown, remarked on the informal basis of this decision, stating, “It was open season” at the beginning of the season. This change has allowed him to engage more closely with Brown, who is known for his ability to defend elite players.
In their discussions, Brown has expressed confidence in Walsh’s potential to guard the league’s best players. “A lot of that conversation has just been like—earlier in the season, we were talking about how we felt like we needed a guy who can go in and guard the best player every night,” Walsh shared. Brown’s consistent encouragement, stating, “I think it’s you, I think it could be you,” has motivated Walsh to embrace this responsibility.
Reflecting on this support, Walsh noted that it has led to conversations with Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla about increasing his defensive responsibilities. As Walsh prepares for these challenges, he has recognized the importance of being diligent in his preparation, including additional film study to better understand how to defend high-caliber opponents. “The urgency of guarding these players… to be prepared to do it, to do an extra film session, whatever, to know how to guard these guys is definitely what made a difference,” he explained.
Walsh’s determination and understanding of the role he is stepping into signal growth for him as a player and a promising future for the Celtics, who look to strengthen their defensive lineup as they navigate through the season.