I don't get the Semi hate.
He hits threes at 38%. He hits corner threes at an elite 45%. He is a top notch defender at the 3/4 positions. He is a good 10th man in the rotation guy for under $2 million a year.
If you are expecting him to dribble/drive the lane, be an exceptional passer, or draw fouls to get to the line, yeah, you will be disappointed but that's not his game. He plays a role and he does it very well for his pay grade.
My guess is Semi will be a better all around player next year than either first rounder Ainge just took. And if Ainge doesn't think so, picking him up as salary filler for a trade is a good thing.
Just don't understand the moaning and groaning of making the absolute right move in picking up Semi's option.
The issue is that he doesn’t put the ball in the hoop.
He’s 482nd in the NBA in scoring per possession. We literally play 4-on-5 when he’s out there. The majority of his 3PTs are with nobody within 6 or more feet, because teams are doubling off him. If teams have a defender closer than six feet, he shoots beliw 30%.
His defense isn’t good enough to make up for the zero contribution on offense. He’s cheap, but he’s borderline useless.
Yeah we desperately need guys who can put the ball on the floor and attack space off the dribble. Semi on offense is basically spot up only. It's not a moral failing or something, I can see that he tries very hard. He's just not good enough to be in the rotation of a really good team.
Eh?
He’s been in the rotation of a really good team since his rookie season.
3-and-D players fit any team.
Boston has had enough players who create shots off the dribble to have at least two on the floor at any time, three most of the time, and four starters who are brilliant at it. In fact it’s been an issue getting enough touches for Hayward and Brown.
This “four on five” formulation doesn’t match reality. They don’t need him to score, they need him to make open 3’s. League average is .358, Semi shot .378.
Semi would get more shots if that’s what the coaches wanted, and he would score more points if he got more shots. Both Brown and Hayward needed more shots, for God’s sake.
He virtually never turns it over; you can’t hack him because he’s a AA+ free throw shooter; he runs the floor like a deer.
He draws some of the toughest covers, and is one of the best in the league at staying in front - has the footwork and laterals of a guard; his shoulders and anticipation are similarly quick so he’s one of the quickest to get a hand up and challenge a shot.
But at this point his team D is maybe a bit ahead of his individual D. One of the top players at drawing charges, religious about getting back, fills the gap when a driver beats his man, versatile and switchable.
He’s dirt cheap. Picking up his option is a no-brainer.