Jaylen Brown is officially out the door in Boston, and suddenly, there’s a massive hole on the wing for the Celtics. It’s not just a rotation spot open, it’s a huge opportunity for someone to step up, and Celtics Nation is already buzzing about who gets to fill those big shoes.
Paul George’s Availability Is A Major Question Mark
While veteran Paul George is on the roster, his availability has been a huge question mark for a minute now. The 16-year pro played just 37 games one season and then only 41 games the next during his time with the 76ers. You gotta wonder if he’s gonna be a regular presence on the court, and if not, those minutes become even more critical. Luckily, the Celtics aren’t short on other options. Over the summer, they signed Ron Harper Jr. and gave Jordan Walsh a multi-year extension. Baylor Scheierman still has two seasons on his rookie deal, and head coach Joe Mazzulla even went to Nebraska to see him work out. Those are all solid votes of confidence from the franchise.
Walsh vs. Gonzalez: The Fan Debate Is Already Raging
Even with all those moves, if you ask the Celtics fanbase, all eyes are locked on last year’s rookie phenom, Hugo Gonzalez. After some seriously promising turns with the Spanish national team in their FIBA qualifier and then lighting it up for the Summer Cs in Sin City, Gonzalez could be in line for a huge promotion in his sophomore season. The fans are already locked in a spirited debate about who takes the leap, Walsh or Gonzalez.
One fan, ‘Maye The Force Be With You,’ is all in on Walsh. They argued that Walsh’s increased opportunity last year led to him performing with great defense and noticeably improved shooting, hitting over 38% from three. With Jaylen gone and George potentially sidelined for half the year, the need for a 3-and-D wing like Walsh is huge. Plus, at 22, he’s at a prime age for an NBA player to make a major leap, and his elite defense is exactly what gets you on the court.
But ‘Tenacious D’ fired back, making a strong case for Gonzalez. They pointed out that Gonzalez, as a rookie, performed almost as well as Walsh did in his third year. Gonzalez played 74 games, averaging 3.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.3 blocks with .476/.362/.xxx splits. Walsh, in 68 games, put up 5.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks with .509/.384/.xxx splits. Gonzalez also flashed improved shooting and playmaking in Euro League and summer league action, making him a compelling bet.
It’s clear both guys have a real shot, but the debate is white-hot among the fans. Who grabs those minutes, the consistent defender with an improving shot or the rookie phenom with flashes of brilliance? The battle for that wing spot is gonna be fierce, and you know Celtics Nation will be watching every single possession.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
Leave a Reply