Semi Ojeleye outstanding defense

[Bucketgetter]

I gave him credit last game, but he really needs to brings something, anything, to the table offensively. We can't continue to play 4 on 5 on that end, while Giannis sags off him and is able to help out on penetration. It wouldn't be as much of an issue if his non-existent offense was alongside Irving and Hayward, but it compounds the problem when we have so much difficulty to generate offense (37% shooting tonight) as is.

Lol do we have to bring back the thread where this guy called Semi trash and a bum?

You most certainly can. His statical performance, if not the eye test alone, would support the opinion that he was a really bad player (aka bum) for the 17-18 season. That said, since I've seen you use your fantasy basketball trades to assess real world player value (I wish I were kidding), then can you please explain what return you'll get from Semi's 2.7 PPG on 34.6% shooting?

It's creepy that you would bring up posts between me and other users that you weren't a part of, especially when you're making false claims. I posted about our Mock Deadline here in response to posters who know how to be respectful and have a conversation. It was just a fun talking piece. Since you're incapable of having that, I understand why you're getting confused.

As for Semi, I am very happy we have him at the end of the bench. His defense on Giannis helped us win this series. Certainly no reason for any sane Celtics fan to call him a bum. But you strike me as more of a just a troll.

You made an idiotic comment/comparison so it really stood out. Remembered reading it and thinking you didn't really know what you're talking about.

As for Semi, yeah, I just don't think he's a very good player. Not sure why you consider that "trolling", unless of course a difference of opinion makes one a troll in your eyes. All benches are full of bad players and unless he becomes more than just a one trick pony that's a disaster offensively, I'll continue to have the same mindset regardless of what you may think, fantasy basketball trade examples notwithstanding.

No, I made a comment on a Celtics fans message board that was about a trade proposal. That's what this website is for. It's not here to call the players who just helped win us a series bums. It's not to here to seek out arguments and continue to argue until you ruin a thread.

But go ahead, keep calling the guy who just helped your "favorite" team win a series trash. That is why you're either a troll or just a pathetic exuse of a "fan", if you'd even call it that lol.

Hey, kettle meet pot, since your first post in this thread was about me even after I had complimented the guy.

I gave him credit last game, but he really needs to brings something, anything, to the table offensively. We can't continue to play 4 on 5 on that end, while Giannis sags off him and is able to help out on penetration. It wouldn't be as much of an issue if his non-existent offense was alongside Irving and Hayward, but it compounds the problem when we have so much difficulty to generate offense (37% shooting tonight) as is.

Lol do we have to bring back the thread where this guy called Semi trash and a bum?

There is no compliment there. Still searching. I guess the best you could come up with was "I gave him credit last game, but...". It's time to eat crow on the pathetic thread you made that was pitiful at the time, and only looks worse. It reminds me of the "Are there any Rozier fans left?" thread, except yours had unnecessary insults with even less insight. People will continue to bring it up as long you continue to act like this. Just like I did, and Tarheels, and Granath, etc. A lot different than you trying to bring up a conversation you weren't a part of or a post that you couldn't understand lol.

I see that attention to detail and reading comprehension aren't exactly your strong points, 1st page on this thread, post #8.

Are you still with that stupid fantasy trade thing? Not even the intended recipient had any idea what you meant by that.

Thats your team? Those two? lol Talk about the gang that can't shoot straight.

You can refer to the post of yours that I actually responded to. Unlike you, I don't stalk random internet posters, so I wouldn't know every single thing you have ever said. If that makes my reading comprehension skills low, then I'd rather be illiterate lol.

Bringing up the mock deadline post was yet another failed attempt at a comeback by you. I already tried explaining it to you, and I can't dumb it down for you any more. I feel like I'm trying to talk to you like my niece, but it's still going over your head.

And no, my team is the Boston Celtics. That's why most of us post here, to discuss the team with fellow fans. Not to seek out arguments and create threads bashing "our" players for no reason. Remember that next time you're getting blasted in a thread by mutiple posters but continue to argue just for the sake of arguing. I'm done with you troll. Be gone! Be gone!

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

So...Ojeleye's defense. Pretty outstanding eh?

[pokeKingCurtis]

Semi has done a fine job on Giannis but the Freak still had 31 points on 23 shots last night. We're not talking about the value of shutting down the opposition's best player we're talking about the value of playing him as well as anyone else but where he still puts up MVP numbers.

If that's the case, I need to see more than 1 FGA in 21 minutes. Maybe he was told "Don't worry about shooting" but if you're on the court, you're a basketball player. I'd like to see Semi try a little more than what we've seen.

That's the conundrum, though.

Does Semi's defense that has "limited" Giannis to 23.5 PPG, 12 RPG, 6.5 APG, on 54.5% over his 2 starts outweigh his series averages of 1.7 PPG on disastrous shooting (FG% 23.1 - 3PT% 22.2)?

I'd say it's worth it, slow down to centerpiece of their offense

It just isn't that simple.  Giannis can/will get his numbers but I believe the other players will determine whether or not the Bucks win.  The Freak has been a minus in the box score for 4 out of the 6 games in the series.  His most efficient game was our biggest blow out win. 

Middleton and Parker cannot BOTH impact the game like they have recently.  The Middleton part is more difficult to control because he makes tough shots routinely.  He's a winning player IMO.  The best we can do is force him take a bunch of tough shots. 

As for Parker, his presence off the bench has made things very difficult for the Celtics.  Mediocre defense aside, Parker gives the Bucks another weapon who can score in different ways.  He's been a significant positive since game 2.  They always seem to go on some sort of run when he is in the game.

At the end of the day we can survive Giannis getting 30+ points.  Hopefully the Celtics hold Middleton to something similar to his game 5 performance.

 

It is indeed not that simple, but if you were to ask me about the math of limiting a star player versus having a zero on offense on the other end (the question posed by the OP), I'd say, generally speaking, in this case, it's worth it.

Another thing to factor in this, I reckon, is that Semi reduces the upside (for the Bucks, downside for us) possibility of Giannis going nuts for 40+ points and getting supernova hot.

Also, Smart being back in seems to have slowed down Middleton just a bit (haven't been able to watch closely, but been following a bit through reports and comments on the series). He also defended Jabari...which is such a "Smart" thing to do...

To add to this, Semi also provides another solid body to switch on defense, when they try to get the mismatch with Giannis.

Not sure where the equilibrium is, in terms of stopping opposing stars and stopping opposing secondary pieces - seems Brad got it right though. Hopefully this continues to work out into the next series with the 6'ers - whose star players are eerily similar to the Bucks' cast of stars.

I think that normally, you'd prefer more offense over Semi's defense and zero offense. However, when the alternative are guys like Nader, Larkin, I'd take Semi.

Fair.

What would you make of Andre Roberson then?

[Somebody]

Semi has done a fine job on Giannis but the Freak still had 31 points on 23 shots last night. We're not talking about the value of shutting down the opposition's best player we're talking about the value of playing him as well as anyone else but where he still puts up MVP numbers.

If that's the case, I need to see more than 1 FGA in 21 minutes. Maybe he was told "Don't worry about shooting" but if you're on the court, you're a basketball player. I'd like to see Semi try a little more than what we've seen.

That's the conundrum, though.

Does Semi's defense that has "limited" Giannis to 23.5 PPG, 12 RPG, 6.5 APG, on 54.5% over his 2 starts outweigh his series averages of 1.7 PPG on disastrous shooting (FG% 23.1 - 3PT% 22.2)?

I'd say it's worth it, slow down to centerpiece of their offense

It just isn't that simple.  Giannis can/will get his numbers but I believe the other players will determine whether or not the Bucks win.  The Freak has been a minus in the box score for 4 out of the 6 games in the series.  His most efficient game was our biggest blow out win. 

Middleton and Parker cannot BOTH impact the game like they have recently.  The Middleton part is more difficult to control because he makes tough shots routinely.  He's a winning player IMO.  The best we can do is force him take a bunch of tough shots. 

As for Parker, his presence off the bench has made things very difficult for the Celtics.  Mediocre defense aside, Parker gives the Bucks another weapon who can score in different ways.  He's been a significant positive since game 2.  They always seem to go on some sort of run when he is in the game.

At the end of the day we can survive Giannis getting 30+ points.  Hopefully the Celtics hold Middleton to something similar to his game 5 performance.

 

It is indeed not that simple, but if you were to ask me about the math of limiting a star player versus having a zero on offense on the other end (the question posed by the OP), I'd say, generally speaking, in this case, it's worth it.

Another thing to factor in this, I reckon, is that Semi reduces the upside (for the Bucks, downside for us) possibility of Giannis going nuts for 40+ points and getting supernova hot.

Also, Smart being back in seems to have slowed down Middleton just a bit (haven't been able to watch closely, but been following a bit through reports and comments on the series). He also defended Jabari...which is such a "Smart" thing to do...

To add to this, Semi also provides another solid body to switch on defense, when they try to get the mismatch with Giannis.

Not sure where the equilibrium is, in terms of stopping opposing stars and stopping opposing secondary pieces - seems Brad got it right though. Hopefully this continues to work out into the next series with the 6'ers - whose star players are eerily similar to the Bucks' cast of stars.

I think that normally, you'd prefer more offense over Semi's defense and zero offense. However, when the alternative are guys like Nader, Larkin, I'd take Semi.

Fair.

What would you make of Andre Roberson then?

Incredible defense, even better than Semi but at least Semi can make his FTs and has potential to hit that 3 ball consistently.

[Vermont Green]

Semi played great and made an important contribution.  He also has liabilities.  We can get away with that against Milwaukee.  We shall see how that works out against the Sixers.  I suspect he will continue to play, maybe cover Simmons as some have suggested although I think Tatum can cover him also (and maybe Horford on Saric and Baynes on Embiid).  It should be interesting to see how Stevens sets up the match ups.  Lot's of options (Smart could take Simmons also).

[rondofan1255]

it was hilarious how Bledsoe just bounced off him in Game 7. Has hit a 3 in consecutive games!

[adam8]

My roommate and I have been referring to semi as the whisperer, first he was the Giannis whisperer but now with the Simmons match up it's just "The Whisperer"

[rollie mass]

Just watched defensive highlites Semi drew a charge ,a deflection, a rebound and played solid on whoever he switched on-
This was another strong outing for the Rookie-21 minutes and +11
.

[Sophomore]

Semi played great and made an important contribution.  He also has liabilities.  We can get away with that against Milwaukee.  We shall see how that works out against the Sixers.  I suspect he will continue to play, maybe cover Simmons as some have suggested although I think Tatum can cover him also (and maybe Horford on Saric and Baynes on Embiid).  It should be interesting to see how Stevens sets up the match ups.  Lot's of options (Smart could take Simmons also).

The liabilities are clear. But he brings so much on defense. I don't think there's a player in the Sixers' starting five he can't switch onto. Sure, Embiid would have an edge, but it's not a mismatch like Belinelli-Horford. If Semi can get comfortable enough to hit, say, one out of three from beyond the arc and occasionally make a sharp backdoor cut for a layup, that would punish the Sixers for ignoring him. And I think it's reasonable. The Cs missed him all by himself under the rim at least twice last night.

I think Smarf will cover Simmons on switches - he did last night - and in spot duty really bothered him - of course. I don't think Tatum ended up on Simmons much - not sure if that was the Sixers' scheme or the Cs. I think Tatum could have trouble with Simmons' physicality if he gets post position, but Tatum might do a nice job at the perimeter or against a drive.

[tonydelk]

Just watched defensive highlites Semi drew a charge ,a deflection, a rebound and played solid on whoever he switched on-
This was another strong outing for the Rookie-21 minutes and +11
.

The more run Semi gets the more I like the kid.  I can't wait until he develops his shot going forward.  He has a good from and a quick release and it's just a matter of getting up a lot of shots this off season and add some confidence.  We had a very intense discussion going into this season about Semi versus Crowder.  Jae is playing well for Utah but played poorly for Cleveland.  I think Semi has a higher ceiling then Jae because he is a better defender then Jae is right now.  His offense needs to develop but I think he can be a better shooter then Jae in two years.  Great pick and I think he is putting the haters to rest with his play. 

[rollie mass]

Semi played great and made an important contribution.  He also has liabilities.  We can get away with that against Milwaukee.  We shall see how that works out against the Sixers.  I suspect he will continue to play, maybe cover Simmons as some have suggested although I think Tatum can cover him also (and maybe Horford on Saric and Baynes on Embiid).  It should be interesting to see how Stevens sets up the match ups.  Lot's of options (Smart could take Simmons also).

The liabilities are clear. But he brings so much on defense. I don't think there's a player in the Sixers' starting five he can't switch onto. Sure, Embiid would have an edge, but it's not a mismatch like Belinelli-Horford. If Semi can get comfortable enough to hit, say, one out of three from beyond the arc and occasionally make a sharp backdoor cut for a layup, that would punish the Sixers for ignoring him. And I think it's reasonable. The Cs missed him all by himself under the rim at least twice last night.

I think Smarf will cover Simmons on switches - he did last night - and in spot duty really bothered him - of course. I don't think Tatum ended up on Simmons much - not sure if that was the Sixers' scheme or the Cs. I think Tatum could have trouble with Simmons' physicality if he gets post position, but Tatum might do a nice job at the perimeter or against a drive.

Semi shot 32% from three this season. I think that qualifies as 1 out of three-remember he is still a rookie and he has a history of being able to shoot threes.I think Semi has already proved his worth-he bothered Giannis and did a more than credible job on Simmons and crew.He got a bad rap from one poster with an agenda.

[bellerephon]

I agree some go overboard against Semi, but I think lots of people do the same in his favor. He's a good defender, and he can play a role off the bench as a defensive sub. Unless his offense gets a lot better, he won't be more than that. If this team were at full strength, he wouldn't play very much, if at all.

Next year, if Brown, Tatum, Hayward, and Morris are all still on the team and healthy, he won't play very much. That's not a knock on him, I just think he's nothing more than a defensive role player right now. It's not just his shooting that's a problem on offense, he doesn't handle the ball well, he doesn't finish well at the rim, he doesn't get to the free throw line, he doesn't pass well. He adds almost nothing on offense. He's done well with his defensive assignments, but that doesn't mean he's a future star.

Looking at next year's potential roster, subject to change of course, they will have - Kyrie, Brown, Tatum, Hayward, Horford, Rozier, Morris, Theis, maybe Smart and Baynes. That's possibly 10 that would be better than Semi. Now some of those guys might not be around, but I think that Danny would look to add players if they lose anyone. Unless there are injuries I expect Semi to be the 11th or 12th man on the roster at best. That's good for a second round pick, but let's not anoint him as the next big thing just yet.

[rollie mass]

Nobodies calling him a star but a useful defensive player against certain match ups and at a very good price.It will be his length that stops him from really making an impact attacking closeouts,rebounding and as any inside presence-
There are very few players that have his vertical, lateral agility,his sprint time with his strength Combined this is unique and what allowed Brad to use him and start him in playoffs as a rookie. I keep watching his defense and i applauded his box out of Saric,his drawing a charge on Simmons his coverage on guards after a awitch
Who wouldn't applaud a rookie role player coming in and being instrumental in Bucks win by covering Giannis and then to follow it with 21 minutes vs Philly and a plus 11.
On offense he doesn't seem to be turnover prone and he did shoot the three at 32% this season and in college 40%..
It doesn't matter that our stars were out it matters how he played when the chips were down.
To reluctantly applaud his playoff success on defense against transformational talent seems counter to being a Celtic fan or some attempt to reinforce a personal agenda
 The Celtics are a team and Semi is part of it-so an attack on Semi is an attack on Ainge,an even bigger attack on Brad and all his players.Lets hope Semi hits his threes and plays stellar defense and we win the next game

[rondofan1255]

Think he’ll be useful against LeBron?

[Big333223]

Physically, he matches up with Lebron about as well as anyone in the league.

But guarding Lebron is a totally different animal than guarding Giannis.