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Baylor Scheierman has been receiving a lot of praise recently, but one compliment stood out. Mike Conley, a 20-year NBA veteran, said, 'The other day, Baylor, I think I got like four offensive rebounds in one possession, and I just said, I like him. Like that's all I need to know. I like him. I like him a lot. And obviously, he did a bunch of other things other than that. But his willingness to crash and keep possessions alive and make the right reads was impressive. Stuff like that sticks out to me.'
In an interview with Celtics On SI at The Citadel, Scheierman admitted that Conley's words meant a lot. 'It means a lot,' he said. 'He's been in the NBA for 20 years, accomplished some great things, and so to have kind of respect from him already, so early on, it means a lot. And I'm just grateful for him and his mentorship, and continuing to learn from him.'
Conley isn't the only Celtics player noticing Scheierman's contributions. Payton Pritchard has seen his growth firsthand. 'He's been really good,' Pritchard said. 'Like just really good in the areas, like the margins. His game's grown. Obviously, he's always been a good shooter, good floater, stuff like that. But he will be really important for this team this year.'
Scheierman made significant strides in his second season, appearing in 77 games and starting 20. His playing time increased from just over 13 minutes per game through January to 25 minutes per game starting in February. A more consistent jump shot contributed to this jump; his three-point shooting percentage fluctuated early on but stabilized after he adjusted his release point. 'We talked about just moving my release point just a little bit lower,' Scheierman told Celtics On SI. 'Moving it like six inches lower, I think that definitely helped a lot with the consistency of my jump shot too. And then me and Sam Cassell always works on just, like, sticking the shot. [I got] a lot of open shots, and sometimes those can be the hardest shots to shoot, and it's just really like the consistency of sticking my shot every single time and finishing forward.'
Scheierman finished the season as one of Boston's best shooters, but he understands the team values depth and versatility. While offensive rebounding and spot-up shooting can keep a player in the league, Scheierman is aiming for more. 'Everyone has different roles on the floor, and last year for me, it was all the hustle plays and things,' he said. 'That's things that I'm still going to be able to do this year. I think it's more now the trust with Joe, the trust with my teammates, and they understand my abilities to not only just shoot but be able to see and read the game too. And I think that comes with understanding the game.'
He knows he must be able to attack closeouts and make reads, either finding a teammate or finishing at the rim. He doesn't see himself as a top option, but he knows he must play with the confidence of one. Under head coach Joe Mazzulla, processing the game is crucial. Making the right read involves understanding the flow of the game and what the defense expects. 'It's having that understanding and an awareness of how the game is going and what the game needs in that particular point,' Scheierman said. 'I think Joe talks about that all the time, and I think that just comes with repetition, but then also just like the basketball understanding of what's going on and what we need, what we need for this possession. I think I have a good balance of that.'
Putting it all together could lead to a starting role, a major win for the Celtics, who drafted him 30th overall in 2024. Production from that draft position is never guaranteed, so if Scheierman becomes a full-time starter on a playoff team, it would be a significant achievement for Brad Stevens. 'Baylor's a guy that is extremely professional with his work and his development,' Mazzulla said. 'Baylor works on his craft. Yes, he's great at the hustle stuff and the offensive rebounds. But he takes the other stuff just as serious. I think he's gotten better at it more this summer.'
Scheierman doesn't have a serious persona. Despite toning it down for the media, he's one of the team's bigger personalities. He loves to have fun and talk trash while playing, but he can only do that if he's focused when it's time to work behind the scenes. His improvements speak for themselves, and his mentality could drive a true breakout season. 'It's really about attacking every single day, and with whatever opportunity you get, kind of making the most of it,' Scheierman said. 'You start the year not really knowing what's going to happen, and you get a little opportunity here, you try to make the most of it, and with that, more opportunity comes. And so, whatever opportunity I'm given, I have the most confidence in myself that I'll be able to impact the game in whatever way.'
Key Analysis
Scheierman's growth trajectory is promising for the Celtics. His ability to contribute in multiple facets—shooting, rebounding, and playmaking—aligns with Boston's emphasis on versatility. If he continues to develop, he could become a key rotation piece or even a starter, justifying the team's investment in him.