BOSTON — As the NBA season unfolds, all eyes are on James Harden, a player whose name is destined for the Hall of Fame. Despite being 36, Harden’s prowess on the offensive end remains unparalleled, presenting significant challenges for any defense he encounters. The LA Clippers may be grappling with a slow start, but that hasn’t diminished Harden’s status as a formidable scoring threat.
In a bid to contain him, the Boston Celtics are leveraging their newly implemented defensive scheme, which aims to enhance the team’s ability to react and adapt during games. This strategy is rooted in quick rotations and aggressive double-team situations designed to disrupt star players. Among the players highlighted as potential defenders against Harden are Jordan Walsh and Hugo Gonzalez, who have emerged as capable options as the season progresses.
Gonzalez first made headlines during the Celtics’ second game against the New York Knicks when he significantly influenced the outcome in the second half. He bravely accepted the challenge of guarding Jalen Brunson and followed that performance with a starting debut against Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, where he continued to showcase his defensive skills. Since then, Gonzalez has also taken on assignments against other notable players, including Tyrese Maxey and Desmond Bane.
Similarly, Walsh has become a pivotal part of Boston’s rotation. His recent performances have seen him tackle some of the NBA’s toughest matchups. Notably, he challenged Paolo Banchero during a mini-series against the Orlando Magic and delivered crucial defensive plays late in the game against Maxey in a narrow loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
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Defending a player as unpredictable and skilled as Harden presents a unique challenge, which Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged in his pre-game remarks. Understanding that Harden excels in creating separation and manipulating the pace of the game, Mazzulla emphasized the need for a collective defensive effort: “We’re gonna have to have multiple defenders and defend them as a team.”
So far this season, Walsh’s defensive matchups have included high-profile players like Maxey, Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jaren Jackson Jr. Gonzalez, on the other hand, has been tasked with guarding stars such as Cunningham, Wagner, Brunson, and Maxey again.
Though Harden’s distinctive style and agility may test the defensive capabilities of Boston’s young talents, the ongoing season suggests that both Walsh and Gonzalez are ready to step up. As they continue to refine their skills and gain experience, they are quickly establishing themselves as the Celtics’ top options for containing elite scorers. The Celtics look forward to seeing how Walsh and Gonzalez fare against one of the game’s greatest offensive talents.
