Paul George Takes a Seat, Unleashing the Baylor Scheierman Experience in Boston
Scheierman can at least replicate some of the shooting, passing and ballhandling Boston has been getting from PG. He's also a solid defender.
Paul George is officially taking a rest night against the Houston Rockets, which means it is time to fire up the Baylor Scheierman experience.
The Boston Celtics are sliding Scheierman into the starting lineup to fill the void. Hugo Gonzalez is also keeping his starting spot, while Jordan Walsh remains firmly anchored to the second unit.
Replacing a perennial All-Star with a guy who sounds like a regional accounting firm is peak modern NBA. But Scheierman actually replicates a decent chunk of the shooting and ballhandling Boston usually gets from George, and he holds his own on defense.
The Celtics are rolling right now, coming off a 108-97 win over the Orlando Magic and carrying serious momentum into Houston. Scheierman has been logging nearly 19 minutes a night this season, with more than half of his shot attempts coming from beyond the arc.
Then there is Gonzalez, who is fresh off an absurd 18-point, 16-rebound career night. Boston just casually pulling massive double-doubles out of their rotation guys is the kind of depth that makes the rest of the league sick.
For anyone staring at tonight's player props, the math completely changes. With George and his massive usage rate sitting on the bench in street clothes, both Scheierman and Gonzalez are in line for a heavy dose of volume.
Boston tips off against the Rockets tonight before heading back home to deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. We will find out quickly if the youth movement can keep the winning streak alive while the veterans enjoy their load management.