Just a few weeks after the conclusion of his rookie season, Baylor Scheierman joined CLNS Media’s Garden Report for an all-encompassing interview on his first year in the NBA, his offseason so far, his relationship with Joe Mazzulla, and a whole lot more.
Scheierman also answered light-hearted questions — from who the best football and golf players on the team are, which Celtics players would make the best and worst roommates, unlikely friendships, and much more.
Here’s a lightly edited snippet of what he had to say in the interview, conducted by Noa Dalzell, Bobby Manning, and John Zannis.
You can watch the full, 35-minute show here.
Noa Dalzell: Who is a particularly close Celtics teammate of yours that would maybe surprise other people?
Baylor Scheierman: Me and Derrick White have a really fun relationship, and you saw that a little bit in the social media world.
The first time I met Derrick was actually in Nebraska. He was in Lincoln for the Colorado vs Nebraska game and and I went to the game and one of my high school buddies texted me and was like, ‘Derrick’s here.’ So I went to where he was at and that was our first time meeting and then we hung out all day, went to the game together and that started our relationship off really well. Obviously, he’s a tremendous player, but then obviously just really enjoy being around him off the court as well.”
Dalzell: Of all your current Celtics teammates, which would make the best roommate and which would make the worst?
Scheierman: Worst roommate would be D-White – he argues about everything. He’s never wrong. The best would probably be Al [Horford]. Simple guy. Probably goes to bed early.
Manning: Who is your NBA player comp?
Scheierman: Obviously, a lot of people say Joe Ingles. I like that comp. I like watching Austin Reaves play. Max Strus. All of those guys.
John Zannis: Is there one player that you’d be embarrassed to say ‘I’m kind of like that guy’ because they’re a star, and people would think if I start comparing myself to this person I’m arrogant?
There’s one guy in our chat that is constantly saying Luka Doncic.
Scheierman: I definitely watched him a lot in high school and college. Everyone obviously thinks – 6’7, white, shooter. My passing ability might even be my best quality sometime. If you’re going to say it, I’m not going to argue with you, but I probably wouldn’t say it off the rip.
I watched [Rajon] Rondo a lot, Pistol Pete, Jason Williams.
Zannis: I will be heartbroken if I never get to play another minute with ____
Scheierman: Can I say everybody?
There’s a lot of guys I could throw out. I’d probably say Jrue Holiday. We continued to build a relationship over the course of the year. Dude’s just funny, and he’s a good guy.
He’s been in the league forever, and has accomplished some crazy things. You wouldn’t necessarily know about it just by meeting him – he’s a very down-to-earth guy. We’ve got a lot of those guys on the team.
Dalzell: If you’re the best football player on the team, who is No. 2?
Scheierman: Such a great question. Everyone says they’re a good football player, but none of them actually played. Payton [Pritchard] swears he was so good, and I was like ‘When’d you stop playing?’ And he was like ‘seventh grade’ so I was like ‘Oh, okay, so you didn’t play.”
I feel Jaylen [Brown] would be pretty good. I’d put him at No. 2 probably.
Sam [Hauser] played. I’d put him high up there as well.
Manning: Who’s the best golfer on the team?
Scheierman: Sam. Sam’s the best golfer. For sure.
Zannis: If something ever starts up on the court – there’s a little beef, you’re about to throw hands, who is the one teammate you would want standing behind you?
Scheierman: I don’t think I’m ever throwing hands.
I’d probably say JB or Al [Horford]. Al’s got five kids, so he’s got that dad strength. I’d probably say him or JB.
Dalzell: If you could pick any NBA player to jersey swap with, who would it be?
Scheierman: I’d probably do Steph [Curry]. Middle school, high school, when the Warriors were having their dynasty – watching them play and just how skilled he is, how good he’s become. He’s not the most athletic, he can’t jump the highest, but he’s the best shooter ever. There’s a lot of other stuff he does well.
