Why Baylor Scheierman is an ideal match with the Boston Celtics

As basketball followers, there are specific gamers we gravitate towards and discover ourselves mesmerized by each time we watch them compete.

Typically, the draw is clear. They might be from our state, the identical peak as us or play with a ardour that resonates.

For others, that particular high quality is much less tangible and extra primarily based on a intestine feeling. We will’t actually pinpoint it, however at any time when they’re enjoying, we’re glued to the TV. We do not bear in mind precisely when it began, however because the participant’s fame grows, we bear in mind with satisfaction that we had been there from the start.

For me, Baylor Scheierman is a kind of gamers. He’s considered one of my favourite faculty gamers of all-time. He’ll slot in completely on a Celtics staff that prides itself on its taking pictures, spacing, versatility and togetherness.

After I began seeing him as a possible late-first-round choose, my eyes lit up. This man was born to be a Celtic. Late Wednesday evening, he was nonetheless there, however a part of me nonetheless anticipated Brad Stevens and the Celtics to commerce the choose.

As soon as Scheierman was introduced, I discovered myself nodding and smiling. All of it simply made sense.

Right here’s why I like his sport a lot:

First off, he’s a lights-out shooter with particular vary. That’s his finest asset, and I consider it can translate instantly to the NBA. He’s a profession 39 % 3-point shooter and shot a ridiculous 46.9 % from distance as a junior. His lefty stroke gives a special look, and he can bury jumpers each off the catch and off the dribble.

Subsequent, he’s sneakily 6 toes, 6 inches, 205 kilos, and rebounding is considered one of his finest property. He averaged 9 boards a sport for Creighton this previous season and did a lot of his injury within the paint. He’s the NCAA chief in defensive rebounds over the previous 25 seasons, with 1,140. So should you’re pegging him as only a pure shooter, suppose once more.

Scheierman additionally has wonderful imaginative and prescient, a terrific really feel for the sport and thrives in site visitors. He’s able to enjoying 1 by way of 3 and could possibly be used periodically as a backup level guard long run. I consider he slots as a pure NBA 2, however don’t sleep on his playmaking capacity. He’s used to drawing a lot consideration that he’s developed a capability to go out of the double. Sure, he was a highschool quarterback, which doesn’t damage.

The very best comparability I’ve seen is Joe Ingles – a artful, methodical, very smart lefty who finds little cracks and crevices to contribute to successful. He’s a kind of gamers who may give you regardless of the staff wants. When you want him to drop 30 (in faculty), he’ll. When you want him to get 10 assists, he’ll. When you want him to get 15 rebounds, he’ll.

So wait a minute, why did this man drop till the tip of the primary spherical? Ought to we induct him to the Corridor of Fame now? Properly, OK, there are some query marks pertaining to the NBA.

I disagree with the parents which have insinuated that he’s a poor defender. I’ve watched him loads, and that’s not correct in my view. He has good instincts, competes exhausting and has a knack for poking the ball away. However, there may be some fact to the truth that he could wrestle guarding sure NBA gamers. I don’t suppose he’ll be outmatched towards fellow shooters, but when he has to stay shifty level guards or overpowering bigs every now and then, it could be powerful.

I consider Scheierman has some Payton Pritchard and a few Sam Hauser in him, and the Celtics have turned each gamers into dependable defenders. There’s no purpose Scheierman can’t turn out to be one himself.

One other doubt folks have is his age (23), however I’ve by no means put an excessive amount of inventory into that. When you can play, you possibly can play. Certain, a 19-year-old prospect could have extra untapped upside, however Scheierman is extra NBA-ready than the overwhelming majority of gamers on this yr’s class.

So, what ought to we anticipate from him? Properly, it can clearly be powerful to crack the rotation this yr, however I wouldn’t rule it out solely. If he proves himself, that would imply the Celtics have a possible Hauser alternative. I like Hauser’s sport, and am not making an attempt in addition him out by any means, however Scheierman does verify lots of the identical packing containers on paper. Plus, he’s a bit extra cellular and elusive.

Once more, I’m not saying Scheierman is Steph Curry, however I believe you’ll have an identical response to mine while you watch him. The best means I can say it’s that the person is aware of how you can ball. We’ll see if he lasts, however irrespective of the way it shakes out, I firmly consider this was a wonderful choose.