Of the Boston Celtics reserves making key contributions this season, second-year guard Baylor Scheierman has given the C's some really good minutes over the past month or so.
Since Feb. 4, the former Creighton star has posted a handful of double-doubles and is averaging just over nine points per game with 6.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and almost two three-point makes a night.
But that apparently isn't enough to get any recognition from Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, who didn't even pretend to know who the 25-year-old wing was on Sunday's edition of "Inside the NBA."
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Shaq doesn't know name of key Celtics role player
During halftime of this weekend's matchup between the Celtics and the Cavs, Shaq was shown a highlight of Scheierman's transition dunk that put Boston up big.
“I don’t even know who this kid is,” O'Neal admitted. “I ain’t never going to let anyone named Baylor or Scheierman score on me. Scheierman? Who he play for?” the Hall of Famer asked.
Scheierman finished with 16 and 10 in the C's 109-98 win and was Boston's fourth-leading scorer behind Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and sixth-man Payton Pritchard.
Celtics legend weighs-in on Jaylen Brown vs. Jayson Tatum debate
While Jayson Tatum was out, players like Scheierman rose their level of play. As did Tatum's co-star, Jaylen Brown, who has put himself in the thick of this year's MVP race with his performance as the team's No. 1 option.
Who's drives the bus for Joe Mazzulla's bunch has been an ongoing debate ever since the organization began building around their two All-Star wings. But Celtics legend Kevin Garnett is tired of fans pitting the two against each other.
Taking to X on Friday night, KG let everyone know where he stands in regards to the Brown-Tatum conversations.
"Less energy around is it JB or Tatum’s team and MORE energy around how tough of a mf duo it is! Welcome back JT!" the Big Ticket exclaimed. "We > Me! 😤"
If the Celtics want to raise a 19th banner it's going to take both Tatum and Brown to do it. And both have shown they can lead the way offensively in some big moments in the playoffs.
