Baylor Scheierman spent the primary half of his rookie season with the Maine Celtics. Then, in mid-January, the thirtieth total decide within the 2024 NBA Draft joined the mum or dad membership, finally clawing his manner into the rotation in March.
March turned out to be a standout month for the previous Creighton star — Scheierman averaged 6.3 factors, taking pictures 48.8% from the sphere and 47.4% from three.
The run was highlighted by a 20-point outburst in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets on March 18th, by which he hit 6 of seven three-pointer makes an attempt. That outing got here only a few weeks after a 15-point night time in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers.
“The Backyard was positively rocking that night time,” Scheierman mentioned in an interview with CLNS Media’s Backyard Report. “That stretch of these two video games positively gave me a variety of confidence going into the rest of the season, that I can do it. I by no means actually didn’t suppose I might do it.”
Scheierman mentioned he knew from the start that it could be troublesome to make the Celtics rotation.
That’s as a result of Joe Mazzulla blatantly instructed him that proper after coaching camp.
“Earlier than the season began, I had a gathering with him and he was just about like, ‘Hear, I don’t actually like rookies, so that you’re gonna must battle this yr, and that’s sort of how it’s,’” Scheierman mentioned. “And I used to be like, ‘All proper, that’s all proper.”
Whereas some NBA gamers may need been turned off by that sort of proclamation, Scheierman appreciated his new coach’s honesty.
“I actually respect Joe, and I like his bluntness,” he mentioned.
“That’s sort of how he coached me — simply very blunt and simply telling me how it’s, and the way it was gonna be, and I can admire that as a result of then there’s no miscommunications about what’s occurring or what’s to be anticipated.”
Baylor Scheierman might see a bigger position within the rotation subsequent season
Heading into his sophomore season, Scheierman might be due for a bigger alternative. Whereas it’s not but clear which Celtics might be on the roster subsequent season, Jayson Tatum’s damage alone opens the door for extra minutes for the versatile 24-year-old wing.
“It’s a problem, however you simply must be able to make the most of the alternatives you get,” Scheierman mentioned, noting that the purpose is to get into Mazzulla’s circle of belief. “I knew coming into the yr that alternatives are gonna be restricted with bringing all people again from a crew that simply gained a championship… I used to be able to make an affect when my quantity was known as.”
