Celtics First-Rounder Explains First Impressions Of Joe Mazzulla

Boston Celtics rookie Baylor Scheierman has already gotten to work in making the transition from college to the NBA, a process which will include adapting to the playbook of head coach Joe Mazzulla.

Scheierman, who the Celtics selected 30th overall in June’s NBA draft, isn’t worried.

“From afar, looks like a fun coach to play for,” Scheierman told reporters Monday, per CLNS Media. “We talked to him a little bit in the locker room, he’s like, ‘Hey man, shoot threes, play D and rebound.’ I was like, ‘Sounds good.’ I’m excited. Obviously a tremendous person and coach. So excited to learn from him.”

When considering Scheierman’s mold and style of play, the Creighton product seems like an ideal fit — on paper. Scheierman was a 3-point specialist in college, shooting 38.1% during his farewell campaign with the Bluejays while also averaging 18.5 points in 35 games. That outside shooting role could earn Scheierman some impression-opportunity minutes of his own in Mazzulla’s 3-point-heavy offense next season.

That identity tossed Mazzulla through the wringer during his debut run in the head coaching seat in 2022-23 after Boston shot itself into inefficiency routinely.

However, after the front office provided Mazzulla and Celtics co-stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown with a re-polished cast willing to invest in Mazzulla’s vision, Boston quickly took the league by storm. The Celtics recorded an NBA-high 64 wins in the regular season, cruised through the postseason at 16-3 and seized their 18th title in the NBA Finals.

Since Mazzulla aimed to utilize everyone last season from Payton Pritchard to Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman, Scheierman, too, could be on pace for a call to contribute once the season begins — and an impressive Summer League showing might help that case.