Celtics' wing stopper explains the keys to his game-changing evolution

Winning with anticipation and Baylor Scheierman's work in the weight room have led to him becoming a trusted defensive option this season. The Boston Celtics will throw him on the opposing team's top perimeter player and tap into his increased versatility, asking him to match up against centers. It's not just the key to his playing time, it's a challenge the second-year wing has relished.

Scheierman's evolution on defense has led to Joe Mazzulla's labeling him a "utility" player for the Celtics on defense. Earlier this season, Boston's bench boss noted, "his continued growth in our defensive physicality and system is kind of where he's made the most growth, to where you build a level of trust."

It's a sentiment the former Creighton star echoed while speaking with the media before the Celtics' shootaround ahead of their game against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

"I think it just comes from the trust that Joe sees in us and just continued growth and development of us on the defensive end, and kind of just understanding, one, our assignments, and then, two, what we're trying to do collectively as a team out there," conveyed Scheierman. "And obviously, we've all had great spurts of being able to guard their best guys, Me, Jordan, [and] Hugo, and that's something we take pride in. And we know that it's kind of something that's being carved out for us on this team, is just being able to take those assignments and kind of impact the game in that way. And so we just take pride in that."

His latest star-stopping performance came against Luka Doncic. In the Celtics' 111-89 victory vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, the former Creighton star limited one of basketball's most prolific scorers to seven points on eight shots. While one shouldn't take tracking data as gospel, NBA.com has Doncic faring 3/8 (37.5 percent) when defended by Boston's burgeoning wing.

What stood out most was Scheierman's ability to bang with Doncic, holding his ground against the six-foot-eight, 230-pound guard/point-forward. That and consistently contesting his shots without fouling. He also had some excellent examples of screen navigation. Even when he got dislodged, he hustled to challenge the six-time All-Star's attempts.

Baylor Scheierman details the keys to defending Luka Doncic

Before Tuesday's shootaround got underway, the six-foot-six wing also shared the advice he got from Jaylen Brown at Saturday's practice about making life difficult for Doncic.

"He was just like, 'Try to get up into his space. Make him uncomfortable. Don't let him, like you said, be comfortable. Pick him up full court. You know, anytime you have a chance to bump him, bump him," said Scheierman. "Obviously, Jaylen is one of the best two-way players in the game. He's guarded Luka before, and so, giving us advice there definitely helped going into the game Sunday."

He also detailed the keys that allowed him to execute Brown's advice and do his part in Doncic needing 22 shots to put 25 points on the board in a loss where he only converted on 40.9 percent of his field-goal attempts.

"With Luka, you know, he wants to drive right when he's going left, he wants to get to that step-back," said Scheierman. "And you know, he's gonna try to foul bait and try to get to the free-throw line. So, you try your best to make things difficult on him and make him make shots and not put him to the free-throw line. And obviously, he's still going to score. He's one of the best players in the world, but you just try to make it difficult on him."

His ability to do that to the opposition's best offensive player throughout this season has propelled him into the Celtics' starting lineup. It has also made him a trusted defensive option and is at the heart of a maturation that has elevated the projection of what the future holds for his career.