Training camp battle: Jordan Walsh vs. Baylor Scheierman

Jordan Walsh is coming into his sophomore season within the NBA after spending most of final yr in Maine. Baylor Scheierman is the primary first spherical draft choose of the Celtics in 4 years. Each gamers will combat for minutes off Joe Mazzulla’s bench subsequent season.

As a result of Boston Celtics roster depth, it’s unlikely we see each Walsh and Scheierman earn a task within the rotation. If we’re being trustworthy, each guys might spend the vast majority of their time within the G-League.

Nevertheless, within the spirit of the offseason and the enjoyable that debates can deliver, Adam Taylor and latest CelticsBlogger Robby Fletcher have sat down to debate which of the younger wings might doubtlessly impress the teaching workers sufficient to be a part of the rotation.

Who has the sting on offense?

Adam: You may as properly give me the early benefit right here.

There’s no contest on who brings extra to the offensive finish. Scheierman is a refined three-level scorer, can create for himself and others off the bounce, and is a precious ground spacer as each a spot-up and motion shooter.

In keeping with Synergy, Creighton used Scheierman as a spot-up shooter on 4.5 possessions per recreation, with every possession value 1 level (technically 0.96, however we’re rounding up.)

Creighton additionally ran Scheierman off screens as an off-ball risk on 3.3 possessions per recreation; these possessions have been value 1.04 factors. He shot 53.4% when ending transition assaults and generated 1.3 factors per possession as a pick-and-roll handler.

Check out this play. Creighton runs an NBA-level set out of a sideline-out-of-bounds (SLOB) motion with Scheierman inbounding the ball, reducing to the weakside elbow, earlier than coming out to the strongside slot for the catch-and-shoot three. That’s the kind of mobility and flexibility Mazzulla likes from his offensive threats.

Scheierman’s multi-faceted offense will permit him to fit into no matter position Mazzulla envisions whereas giving him scope to counter defensive coverages, close-outs, or mismatches. I can’t see how Walsh tops that when contemplating Scheierman’s NBA-level upside on this aspect of the ground.

Robby: That is the realm the place Baylor’s edge is most evident.

It’s additionally an space the place Walsh must show lots of people flawed. He pressed quite a bit in his second Summer season League, typically forcing awkward jumpers off the dribble in addition to drives into oncoming visitors that left him with little different than to throw the ball up and pray.

Nonetheless, a modest 27-game pattern out of the G-League warrants some optimism. He was a decent 36% shooter from past the arc on 5.7 makes an attempt per recreation at that degree, displaying confidence from the perimeter that simply wasn’t there in his Summer season League play or temporary NBA minutes.

In these temporary minutes up with Boston, solely the Charlotte recreation late within the season confirmed that very same confidence from deep, as demonstrated by a pleasant carry up from the wing that resulted in a 3-pointer off the catch late within the first quarter.

Walsh can be a succesful cutter that may generate offense off the gravity of extra dependable scoring choices, of which there’d be a lot on the ground surrounding him ought to he discover himself inside Mazzulla’s rotation. He’s proven a pleasant understanding of his off-ball duties throughout a number of ranges of the sport, profiting from over-helping defenders to flash into area close to the dunker spot.

Would he be working a lot offense? Extremely unlikely, however Walsh has put plenty of work into his off-the-dribble potential, and he brazenly admitted he was urgent a bit of too laborious to seek out his shot this summer time. The story’s a bit of totally different when defenses are tasked with forcing the ball out of the fingers of a Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown.

Adam: My ordinary push-back right here could be that taking pictures 36% within the G-League is totally different to doing it within the NBA, however as I’m defending a rookie recent out of faculty, that will be hypercritical of me.

What I’ll say, although, is that Walsh’s position is well-defined. He’s a corner-spot-up shooter who must evolve his decision-making when seeking to assault off the dribble. I worth the flexibility that Scheierman brings right here. He can fill the identical position as Walsh however has the skillset and polish to broaden that position based mostly on coverages. He got here into the league as a 39% 3-point shooter in faculty and had a dependable 82% free-throw conversion charge.

Walsh has loads of upside on offense, however for a contending workforce, if one in all these two are wanted within the bench rotation, Scheierman’s offense is clearly a degree or two above the place Walsh is at proper now.

Who has the sting on protection?

Robby: The clearest good thing about inserting Walsh into the rotation comes on the defensive finish.

A 6-foot-6 wing with a 7-foot-3 wingspan offers a ton of alternatives for a workforce that’s greater than prepared to change matchups and dwell with the outcomes.

Even amidst his total offensive Summer season League struggles, Walsh’s mixture of size with a growing higher physique permits him to deal with stronger wing assignments together with switch-outs to extra interior-oriented scoring threats.

I feel Scheierman proved to be a capably above-average defender on the faculty degree, notably in his paint protection, however I do fear about his potential to deal with the faster slashers off the wings. In Oshae Brissett’s absence, this workforce might use a jolt of power on that aspect. Walsh fills that position, particularly in his display screen navigation, the place you see his lateral quickness and outrageous wingspan on full show.

Adam: I’ll give it to ya. Walsh has the benefit on protection, particularly by way of point-of-attack and passing lanes. Nevertheless, Scheierman brings a dependable presence on the glass. He ended his collegiate profession averaging 7.8 boards per recreation, and grabbed 9 per night time in his remaining season. He has the dimensions and positioning to assist ease the strain when groups need to crash the boards and management the tempo.

I additionally agree with you on Walsh’s benefit when guarding faster wings who look to slash off-ball or through catch-and-drive alternatives. Nevertheless, Mazzulla has already applied a failsafe in these conditions, having his gamers peel change to make sure any benefit is shortly eliminated.

Scheierman has the polish, expertise (as a five-year faculty product) and dimension to thrive as a system defender who elevates the workforce’s total rebounding whereas being consigned to the weakside nook whereas his defensive skillset catches as much as his offense.

I feel he does deliver some upside to that aspect of the ground, and having somebody with an outlined defensive position isn’t unhealthy for a workforce filled with pitbull defenders.

Robby: All legitimate factors, notably in Scheierman’s potential to crash the glass.

I feel in the course of the pre-draft course of, that was an space that was most stunning in his recreation, actually not one thing I had observed a complete lot of throughout dwell video games. Beneath the microscope, he performs quite a bit greater than your common perimeter wing. It’s one thing that might simply swoon the teaching workers past his multi-faceted scoring potential.

I, nonetheless, stay on Workforce Walsh for this explicit space. And there’s nothing you are able to do to cease me.

Who suits higher within the Celtics system?

Adam: That is the hardest space for me…I imply, we’re speaking about two very inexperienced gamers attempting to earn minutes on the most effective workforce within the NBA. Nevertheless, I feel Scheierman has a substantial benefit over Walsh, right here.

Hear me out.

Mazzulla likes his gamers to be two-way threats. He desires them to have a dependable offensive presence but additionally contributes on the defensive finish. Scheierman is nearer to a ready-made two-way expertise than Walsh.

Sure, Walsh is a greater defender, however his restricted offensive recreation actually shackles his total recreation. Scheierman, then again, can match right into a system protection, rebound, assist, entice, and so forth… He’s additionally a dependable offensive choice as each an off-ball and on-ball weapon, and that’s earlier than he begins seeking to create for others.

Mazzulla would probably worth that kind of manufacturing on either side of the ground, and it will permit Scheierman to take part in a number of rotation mixtures and substitution patterns.

Robby: I agree, that is actually a troublesome space to find out, particularly as a result of they’re each such totally different gamers.

Mazzulla does in truth worth a two-way participant, one thing that matches extra in-line with Scheierman’s present skillset. I imply, the way in which he flies off screens feels minimize from the identical fabric of a younger Sam Hauser. It’s clear what he offers within the quick future. On that finish, it’s a little bit of a thriller field with Walsh, an space the place rising pains is perhaps frequent. And I feel that’s okay. Surrounded by an unbelievable supporting forged permits him room to develop, particularly within the earlier months of the season.

Add within the aforementioned defensive versatility that positively suits their identification and I feel it’s a match that possibly isn’t fully good proper now, however in time could make sense for what they want out of an eleventh or twelfth man.

Even with Kristaps Porzingis sidelined to begin the season, the Celtics have the luxurious of 10 actually high quality gamers locked into spots inside the rotation. That doesn’t depart a ton of minutes to both Walsh or Scheierman. In these minutes, I feel I worth the defensive power Walsh brings just a bit bit extra. Each might simply have success round a roster this good, however I hold pondering again to what Brissett supplied final yr, and that relentless power positively influenced a couple of notable video games, like their early contest towards Miami on Oct. 27, and even Sport 2 of the Convention Finals with Indiana. It’s hardly flashly stuff, nevertheless it’s the type of soiled work I need to see out of a twelfth man, and one thing I really feel Walsh might present in Yr 2.

Adam: You make some truthful factors. Walsh is arguably higher suited to “energizer bunny” position. Nevertheless, I feel with regards to total affect, I choose a man who can supply some upside on protection and work as a launch valve on offense. It additionally makes extra sense to me for the Celtics to spend the small variety of developmental minutes on somebody who can develop into a much bigger position long-term — and for me, that’s Scheierman.

Walsh is stable on protection, however his body doesn’t fill me with confidence that he can dangle bodily, and he has proven that his positioning wants work, too. After I’m an impact-now choice with real upside for the long run, Scheierman is my winner, primarily as a result of he comes into the workforce with a excessive ground and decrease ceiling. He doesn’t want as a lot growth as Walsh, and for a contending workforce, that’s exactly what you need.

Okay, in any case that, can we agree on a winner?

So, in any case of this, has both of you managed to sway the opposite?

Robby: Nicely…possibly.

It’s laborious to disclaim the extra balanced skillset of Baylor Scheierman. If I have been to put cash on it, I’d most likely say Mazzulla prefers that choice as properly. I’d say you’ve made the proper factors on his match, so I’ll allow you to take the win there. I nonetheless have hope for Walsh, and possibly one other yr with prolonged G-League motion isn’t out of the query, however I’d wish to see his progress in Yr 2 play out in Boston.

Adam: VICTORY!!

Solely joking 🙂

You made some robust factors on Walsh. I needed to sit again and actually take into consideration this debate and whether or not I nonetheless had my spot on Scheierman island. Seems that I do. I’m pondering of buying some real-estate right here. Possibly a condominium with a pleasant boat and a pool out again.

Jokes apart, Walsh has all of the instruments to be a real three-and-d position participant within the NBA. I simply don’t suppose he’s prepared but, and that position is probably not with the Celtics because of the competitors for taking part in time. Baylor joins the workforce as a ready-made addition and nonetheless has room to enhance his recreation.

It is sensible to offer Scheierman no matter developmental minutes are on supply. And if you’d like a deeper dive into what he brings to the roster, I’ve a size scouting report from a month or two again.

I want to see Walsh get a chance, so long as it’s not at Scheierman’s expense. And it doesn’t matter what, I’ll be watching a bit of nearer after the robust argument you made for him.

Now, although, I want to open this debate as much as the feedback and see who the readers would select between these two and whether or not our factors have helped sway their minds…