Just like for any other rookie, Summer League play is an adjustment. It’s every newcomer’s first real look at pro ball, even if it’s a step down from the NBA. So for Celtics rookies like Baylor Scheierman and Anton Watson, they admitted there were some jitters while adjusting to game speed.
But both Celtics rookies have certainly had their moments throughout Summer League as their time in Las Vegas winds down. Watson impressed in the Hornets victory, when he scored 15 points in the comeback fourth quarter victory. Watson followed that up with 14 points in the Mavericks loss. Between those two games, Watson combined for 13 3-point attempts. Those outside shots have been a directive from the team — and they’re an area he’s going to need to add to his game.
“It honestly feels good,” Watson said of the 3s, per CLNS Media. “Coaches have confidence in me; my teammates want me to take it. It’s just on me. No hesitation. This is a good time to get them up.”
BetMGM BET UP TO $1,500! BONUS BET REFUND AFTER A LOSS
STATES: AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. 21 years of age or older to wager. MA Only. New Customer Offer. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets. Bonus bets expire 7 days from issuance. In Partnership with MGM Springfield. Play it smart from the start with GameSense. GameSenseMA.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org. US Promotional Offers not available in New York.
Watson was picked 54th overall by the Celtics in this year’s draft after five seasons at Gonzaga. He isn’t signed with the C’s yet, though a two-way contract is the most likely path going forward for the rookie. So the 23-year-old will look to stick with the Celtics, but he’ll likely get plenty of G League reps next season.
Watson will look to hoist up those 3s now that he’s with the Celtics. That wasn’t part of his game at Gonzaga, shooting 30.7% from deep throughout his college career. He did shoot 41.2% on 3-pointers in his fifth-year season, but that was on just 1.5 attempts per game. So that’ll be a big change going forward.
“It’s just how the Celtics play,” Watson said. “In the Finals, they took the most 3s. So I knew coming in, I had to change a little bit of my game. I feel like I’m more confident in my shooting than I’ve ever been. I just gotta keep working on it.”
Summer League, of course, is just the first step in pro careers. Now, Watson will look to improve his craft while looking forward to training camp. Aside from adding 3s, he’ll look to find his exact role at the next level. That’s going to be the process, but Watson’s now in the thick of it when it comes to his pro career.
“The biggest thing is just being aggressive, finding 3-point shots,” Watson said. “That’s a big thing, the Celtics shoot a lot of 3s. Doing that and then kind of finding my role on the team. Whether I play the five or the four or the three, just finding what works for me. So I think Summer League is a good spot to test that out.”
