Semi and Marcus

[Fierce1]

The question is Semi worth keeping just for Giannis?

Semi is basically irrelevant against other teams.

Semi has a role and can come off the bench and play that role well without consistent minutes game to game. 

No one else on the team plays that role.   Most the bigs are limited in terms of being good at one or two things but not the others.   It is the mix of them that the Celtics need for different situations right now.

Here's the thing, Ainge will be in a position to upgrade the roster and get a better big man than what the Celts currently have.

But the price to pay might have to include trading Semi.

Trading any of the big men (or multiple big men) that leads to a big man that can do more is always possible.

Agree.

Celts can go as high as 18m, more or less.

But a 20m player is out of their price range.

[droopdog7]

The question is Semi worth keeping just for Giannis?

Semi is basically irrelevant against other teams.

Is he worth keeping?  Is there any doubt?  Most guys that aren’t in the regulars rotation can’t play anyway.  We don’t need more guys with athleticism/potential.  Give me a lunch pail guy with a proven skill all day every day.

I like Semi quite a bit, but I predict Grant Williams will surpass him in a year or two.

Great.  I hope he does.  But does that mean Semi should be let go?  I'm sure at some point Semi could be squeezed out off the roster but I'm not ready to get rid of him because of someone like Green (for instance).  Give is rugged defender as a 12th man over someone with potential.

[GRADYCOLNON]

Right now, Semi fits the Celtics' needs against certain teams. There is evidence to suggest his offense is influenced by his confidence. He'll get better with more games where he contributes positively. 

[Sophomore]

Right now, Semi fits the Celtics' needs against certain teams. There is evidence to suggest his offense is influenced by his confidence. He'll get better with more games where he contributes positively.

That's the hope. It'd be great to have him available if he can be a 3 and D guy with a special ability for a few key players...

[Valid]

The question is Semi worth keeping just for Giannis?

Semi is basically irrelevant against other teams.

Considering the only team that can honestly rival us is the Bucks, 76ers, and maybe the Raptors, (not buying it at all though,) I would agree that it most definitely is...

A lot of teams employ role players or certain type of defenders/shooters with fixed skill sets to be able to configure into their game plan.

If anything, I'm not convinced the Raptors, Heat, or the Pacers will even be able to contend with us.

The crazy thing is, if everything goes well, I believe we will certainly be in the top 4 seed without a doubt, and be sort of a pretender with a potential contender status contingent upon the success/emergence of our young Jays.

Honestly, our entire team rides on our Big 4, Walker, Hayward, and the Jays. I also don't see how Semi's defense cannot translate against smaller more bulkier guards. I pray Semi somehow figures out how to get his shooting stroke or at least something, because at this point his offense is non-existent, and he can barely pass let alone handle the ball without committing a TO.

The Pacers absolutely, positively can contend with us IF Oladipo gets healthy. I understand that's a big "if," but if Oladipo comes back and is right, they are a legitimate threat to come out of the East.

[rollie mass]

Semi-unfortunately has a very average wingspan that hinders his game .He has elite lateral  and keeps players from turning the corner with his strength .Wasn't  he shooting the three at an acceptable rate last season.
The guy is an incredibly hard worker.
If you think you could face the Bucks in playoffs is it wise to let him go?

Javonte Green  has me wishing we kept Struss his shooting and size translated.

Knicks game we might get to see some Romeo .Can't really blame him for a fluke slip on a wet patch and a groin injury after along rehab and being 19 and pushing his body against grown men.

[Neurotic Guy]

Loved Semi last night. Almost always love Marcus.

[BMark]

I'm OK with keeping Semi as a situational player as long as he doesn't inhibit Grant Williams' growth as a player

[RockinRyA]

If you think you could face the Bucks in playoffs is it wise to let him go?

Javonte Green  has me wishing we kept Struss his shooting and size translated.

Absolutely if he nets you a superior player at a position of need.

Struss shooting has translated?! He hasn't even played a single game yet!

[Hoopvortex]

I'm OK with keeping Semi as a situational player as long as he doesn't inhibit Grant Williams' growth as a player

Doesn’t look like that’s an issue right now: Brad has been playing them together a lot, since pre-season, and despite their almost identical physical dimensions. In the last game, for example, Semi played almost all of his minutes with Grant.

There’s a mistaken idea in this thread that Ojeleye is only being used to guard Greek freak, but his edge as a defender is his switchability. He can guard both big and quick players, and he has had success with a wide range of defensive assignments, including Devin Booker, Zubac, and Spencer Dinwiddie, as a random sample.

Grant Williams is gold – or rather, I have a different color in mind: he’s a Celtic. The comparison to Marcus Smart is pretty good, I think, but at 240 pounds. Dislodging the ball, keeping a possession going, the physical play, the ball pressure that causes a turnover even when he doesn’t get credit for it - all that stuff that wins games but doesn’t show up in the box score.