Admittedly, when it comes to Celtics forward Jordan Walsh, Bucks big man Bobby Portis is a bit biased. It’s not just that Portis watched Walsh go for 20 points, eight rebounds and three steals on Thursday night in Milwaukee’s 116-101 win, and do so on 8-for-10 shooting. And it’s not just that Walsh, averaging 7.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in his third season, on 60.2% shooting and 48.7% 3-point shooting, has been one of the nicer breakout stories in the NBA here in his third season.
It’s also that Walsh and Portis share a common bond: They’re both Arkansas Razorbacks, though their collegiate careers were separated by eight years. Portis, who had 27 points and 10 rebounds–both of which were season highs–in Milwaukee’s upset win. has been following Walsh closely and told him after he game he is expecting a jersey swap next time the teams see each other, on February 1.
Celtics’ Jordan Walsh in for a Jersey Swap
Portis is a 10-year NBA veteran, but said that the notion of swapping jerseys is something he has picked up from teammates Thanasis and Giannis Antetokounmpo. And he’d like to add third-year Celtics breakout player Walsh to his collection.
“I actually told him, we play them a couple more times this year, I need his jersey,” Portis said. I have been taking something out of Giannis and TA’s book, I went to their gym and I saw all these jerseys. I was like, ‘Yo, I gotta start mine.’ So I have been collecting all these Arkansas guys, guys who went to my school, and my favorite players around the league.”
Jordan Walsh: 15.0 Points, 7.0 Rebounds Last 6 Games
Walsh has been on a hot streak lately. He was inserted into the Celtics starting five a month ago and has been gradually getting more comfortable in his role. His shooting has been off the charts, and in the last six games, he has averaged 15.0 points and 7.0 rebounds, on 77.3% shooting and 66.7% 3-point shooting.
He does not shoot much, but he has been effective and has established himself as a Most Improved Player candidate in recent weeks.
Said Portis: “It’s been cool to see his trajectory. First couple years, didn’t really play, G League. And then got the opportunity to go out there and show what he can do. Jump shot is looking better. Obviously, on the defensive side, he is top-tier. He is going to be a great 3-and-D prospect for them, especially when (Jayson) Tatum comes back. He is going to be right in the mix with them, right in their rotation.”
Celtics Taken Down by Bobby Portis’ Bucks
Of course, in Thursday’s matchup, Portis was not the most popular of Celtics opponents–not only were his numbers big, but he played the villain’s role to a T. After making a pair of big post-up shots on Jaylen Brown, he shouted to the crowd, and did some taunting of Brown, earning a technical foul.
“I’m an emotional player,” Portis said in the locker room. “So, I wear my heart on my sleeve, especially in big games, things like this. I just like to ball. I just like to hoop. When you make a couple shots, it’s basketball—at the gym is one of the places where you can scream and be yourself. It’s not like the classroom where you gotta be quiet, you feel me?
“I’ve always been taught to play with swag, play with emotion and have fun. When you have fun, I think everything else flows and the ball just finds energy.”
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