Playoff Baylor

If I’ve learned anything watching Baylor Scheierman play basketball over the past decade, it’s to never underestimate anything about his ability or competitive fire.
This particular piece was basically written before the weekend, but No. 55 made sure to provide one last curtain call before the real season begins.
Let’s start with this. Scheierman netted a new career high in Sunday’s regular season finale, a game in which the Boston Celtics had essentially no skin in the game. 
With their playoff fate already decided, the Celtics started Sunday’s game against the Orlando Magic with just eight available players, including Scheierman. 
No Jaylen Brown. No Jayson Tatum. No Derrick White. No Payton Pritchard. No Neemias Queta. No Sam Hauser. No Hugo Gonzalez.
Orlando played its full roster, battling tooth and nail for a back half playoff position. The game mattered to them.
Turns out, every game matters in Boston.
Scheierman, the kid who can’t stand losing, was one of Boston’s go-to guys Sunday, reaching 30 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists as the Celtics defeated the Magic 113-108.
Unbelievably, Scheierman hasn’t scored 30 points since March 8, 2019. That was his final high school game, a double overtime loss to Omaha Roncalli.
On that day, Scheierman had 37 points, 17 rebounds and 7 assists. The best scoring night of his collegiate career was 28 points for South Dakota State in 2021. 
Orlando looked to be in control, leading by nine at halftime. Boston scored 42 in the third quarter. Scheierman had 14 of those hitting 4-of-6 from three. 
Sunday’s game was particularly fun for those of us who watched Scheierman play all those years ago, wearing Husky red. 
Back then, he was the main attraction. Everyone knew where he was at all times. He was the playmaker, whether it was with flashy jumpers, insane assist passes or emphatic dunks. 
He’s toned that down quite a bit at the professional level, but every once in a while there’s a highlight. One that makes you smile at the memory. Sunday night, Scheierman the showman was on full display and Boston couldn’t get enough.
Scheierman earned a spot in Boston’s rotation and garnered the trust of the coaching staff in recent months by becoming a dependable defender and doing the little things that a lot of others won’t do in order to make the team successful.
Offensive rebounds to extra possessions. Defending the other team’s best player. Burying a corner three when your name is called. 
That’s Baylor.
All he needed was a chance. The confidence? He’s always had that. He’s used that confidence to kick doors in all the way to where he is now.
He used that confidence days earlier, inside Madison Square Garden, swishing three-pointers right in front of Spike Lee while handing out thumbs up. 
Nobody believes in Baylor Scheierman more than Baylor Scheierman. That’s the way it should be. 
Scheierman has earned a spot in Boston’s rotation and will be counted on in the next two months as the Celtics chase banner No. 19.
Who knows? Boston just may need a big shot in a game seven with everything on the line. No. 55 will be ready. 
RICHARD RHODEN can be reached at sports@hamilton.net.