The Boston Celtics just wrapped Media Day, and while everyone expects the usual coachspeak and player platitudes, Baylor Scheierman dropped a three-word gem that cuts right to the chase for the upcoming season: “we’re just gonna hoop.” After five long months without Celtics basketball, that’s exactly what fans needed to hear, especially with this revamped roster heading into a new year.
This Is How You Get Freedom on the Court
Scheierman wasn’t just tossing out a quick soundbite either. He immediately elaborated on what that “hoop” mentality means for the team. He’s seeing a roster full of guys who really understand how to play the game, and that’s going to lead to a ton of freedom of movement on the court. For Scheierman, that kind of open, fluid offense perfectly suits his own game. He prides himself on having a strong basketball IQ, knowing where he needs to be, what to do in any given situation, and just having that overall situational awareness. He sees that same strength across a lot of his teammates, which bodes well for making this new-look Celtics squad click right from the jump. Prognosticators are already pegging Scheierman anywhere from a possible starter to a key playmaker running the second unit, and there is zero doubt he’ll be a core piece in the rotation.
Sophomore Leap and Summer Grind Set the Stage
Don’t forget, Scheierman had a seriously solid sophomore season in 2025-2026. We’re talking 20 total starts, including a dozen where he stepped up as a “Tatum proxy” when Jayson Tatum was out, after Payton Pritchard moved back to a familiar sixth man role following the Anfernee Simons trade for Nikola Vucevic. He really showed out in a do-it-all function with the opening five, averaging just under 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists in 28 minutes per game. He was lights-out from deep, shooting 39.9% from behind the arc, all while keeping his turnovers to a minimum and defending relentlessly up and down the lineup. The stats might not blow you away, but being a net positive in 25-plus minutes every night is exactly what you want from a young player. Baylor’s Year 2 was absolutely a success, cementing him as the Celtics’ do-it-all jack-of-all-trades. He even spent the summer bulking up and getting quicker, specifically to become an even more versatile defender. Plus, he’s leaning into those “quarterback skills” this year, looking to make more on-ball reads because, as he put it, his “playmaking and ability to see the floor is a strength of mine.”
So, yeah, “we’re just gonna hoop” is simple, but it tells you everything. Scheierman and the Celtics sound ready to unleash some exciting, smart basketball. It’s time to see that freedom of movement and high IQ play in action when the season kicks off. Get ready to watch these guys just ball out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
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