In the past season, the Boston Celtics succeeded in winning the 2023-2024 NBA championship. However, that did not exclude them from obtaining talented rookies in the 2024 NBA Draft, much like their conference rivals, the Sixers and the Heat. Despite their talent, the newest Celtics have questions they need to address for the coming season. Here is a question that each of the rookies on the Celtics has to answer during the 2024-2025 NBA season.
One Question For Each Boston Celtics Rookie
Baylor Scheierman
Question: Can Scheierman improve defensively?
The Celtics selected Creighton guard Baylor Scheierman with the 30th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. As a player, Scheierman’s talents lie on the offensive side of the court. He is an impressive shot-creator, both for himself and for his teammates, as well as an excellent shooter from deep. On top of all that, he is a talented rebounder at the guard position. At Summer League, Scheierman showcased his talents despite up-and-down performances throughout the event. He had impressive shooting games, knocking down shots from beyond the arc with confidence. Additionally, he was a consistent force on the glass, grabbing multiple rebounds per game. Without a doubt, Scheierman is an offensive talent, but he does have questions surrounding him on the defensive end.
Specifically, the biggest question that Scheierman must address for the coming season is whether or not he can improve as a defender. Given his lack of athleticism, it will be difficult for him to be a truly good defender. However, he does have excellent positional size and an attitude for success. If Scheierman can successfully improve on defense, then he will be a valuable and versatile player for the Celtics moving forward. If he can improve to being average on defense, then Scheierman wouldn’t be as exploitable as a player. Pair that with his already impressive offensive skills, and that would give Scheierman the versatility that he needs for success. He won’t be playing much for his rookie year, but becoming a better defender increases his chances for playing time during his sophomore year. It will be up to Scheierman to answer that question with a resounding yes.
Anton Watson
Question: Can Watson improve as a shooter?
Anton Watson was selected by the Celtics with the 54th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The Gonzaga forward signed a two-way contract with the Celtics on August 2, after the conclusion of Summer League. On the court, Watson’s talents lie in his ability to defend across multiple positions, being a solid passer, and possessing great touch around the rim. Throughout Summer League, Watson put his talents on full display, especially on the defensive end. He was able to seamlessly guard multiple positions on switches and stay in front of his man. The passing was also apparent and he showed off his touch around the rim.
Watson has a well-rounded skill set and knows how to utilize it for success, but there is one question mark in his game and that is his shooting. The big question for Watson is whether or not he can improve as a shooter. While he did shoot 41 percent from three at Gonzaga during his last year, it was on low volume. Furthermore, Watson had been a poor shooter for his entire collegiate career until his last year. If Watson can improve his shooting and volume to a more respectable level, then that would only increase his versatility. He is on the older side of prospects, so there may be not much room to improve. However, he must do so, as he will need to be a threat from deep if he wants to see playing time. Ultimately, Anton must address this question to secure his future.
