The Boston Celtics are 7-2, second in the Eastern Conference behind the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite missing two starters, one who has yet to suit up at all this season, the reigning NBA champions have largely looked dominant. However, while they\u2019re a formidable team who looks like they can repeat, there are a couple of problems.<\/p>\n
Health aside, the Celtics are barely putting any pressure on the rim. In fact, Boston ranks dead last in two-point conversions per game (23.0) and just 15th in free-throw attempts per game (23.6). This is primarily due to a shift in their offensive philosophy, which has led to certain players not playing to their strengths as much as they should.<\/p>\n
One of those players is none other than Jaylen Brown<\/a>. Another is Jordan Walsh<\/a>, who the Celtics drafted just outside of the first round<\/a> last year.<\/p>\n Walsh\u2019s production has been modest, to put it kindly.<\/p>\n The 6-foot-7 forward is averaging just 1.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.4 steals, 0.3 blocks, and 0.1 assists in 10.5 minutes per game. He\u2019s made 26.7 percent of his field goal attempts and 16.7 percent of his three-point attempts, both career-lows. For a player ranked 11th in the Class of 2022<\/a> by ESPN, these numbers are frankly disappointing.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not necessarily Walsh\u2019s fault though. He\u2019s a victim of circumstance. There are certainly benefits to being a young player who\u2019s an understudy on a veteran-laden title-contender. He\u2019s learning winning habits and training with exceptional talents.<\/p>\n However, he doesn\u2019t receive nearly as much opportunity as he might have on a rebuilding or non-playoff team. He\u2019s not really a shot-hunter in most outings, so his scoring average may not have been worth writing home about regardless. Still, he\u2019d be averaging more than 1.5 points per game in his NBA career. More to the point, he\u2019d be producing more across the board<\/a>.<\/p>\n Walsh may not be getting a picture perfect opportunity, but the Celtics could still put him in better positions offensively.<\/p>\n To this point, he\u2019s basically been used in a 3-and-D role. 70.0 percent of his career field goal attempts have come from three-point range (80.0 percent in 2024-25). If Walsh wasn\u2019t a career 19.0 percent three-point shooter who made 27.7 percent of his threes as a one-and-done at Arkansas, this would made sense.<\/p>\n Of course, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla wants his team to focus on the three-ball. Nonetheless, like Brown, there are some players who have to buck the system to be at their best. Walsh is one.<\/p>\nHow Celtics Can Get More Out Of 2023 Draft Pick Jordan Walsh<\/h2>\n
Why Not Play To His Strengths?<\/h3>\n