Semih Erden, about to be a Celtic

[twinbree]

I was wondering if he'd ever make it over. Good luck to him. As with our other projects I set my expectations at 0 so I can be pleasantly surprised by any contribution we get.

[Evantime34]

We are going to need bodies to fill out our roster. We could do worse than a 23 year old 7 footer to do so.

I bet they sign him to a non guaranteed contract then see how he does in camp/summer league.

[hwangjini_1]

Guys, i'm from Europe and have seen Erden more then US fans. He's better then Shelden Williams,i have no problem with Erden be our 5th big.

Color me happy.  . And a tp to you for sharing knowledge.

[Chris]

This makes sense.  I doubt he will be given a guaranteed contract, but I don't see any reason not to invite him to the summer league and camp with the chance to make the team.

We know they are going to need some more size next season, and we also have a lot of spots at the end of the roster to fill.  So now is as good a time as any to give him a shot to prove he belongs.  If he can't make the team this year, I am not sure he ever would, so there is no reason to hold onto his rights if he doesn't make it.

And more importantly, I don't think he is going to get a whole lot better playing in Europe at this point.  It is such a different game for big men, that getting him over here, testing him in a US system, against US big men, and with US coaching is the only way we will know if he will ever be an NBA player.

[clover]

This makes sense.  I doubt he will be given a guaranteed contract, but I don't see any reason not to invite him to the summer league and camp with the chance to make the team.

We know they are going to need some more size next season, and we also have a lot of spots at the end of the roster to fill.  So now is as good a time as any to give him a shot to prove he belongs.  If he can't make the team this year, I am not sure he ever would, so there is no reason to hold onto his rights if he doesn't make it.

And more importantly, I don't think he is going to get a whole lot better playing in Europe at this point.  It is such a different game for big men, that getting him over here, testing him in a US system, against US big men, and with US coaching is the only way we will know if he will ever be an NBA player.

And if he doesn't come over this year it may be two years before he gets the chance again.  A good team in flux and the starting center just went down--what better could he expect?

[gar]

C's offense and defense both require alot of movement from the Bigs. They have to pressure the ball, and rotate on D and set picks on offense. He may have better hands than Shelden (not hard) and more size; but probably not the agility. This is why BBD is able to thrive on this team - he has happy feet.

[Chris]

C's offense and defense both require alot of movement from the Bigs. They have to pressure the ball, and rotate on D and set picks on offense. He may have better hands than Shelden (not hard) and more size; but probably not the agility. This is why BBD is able to thrive on this team - he has happy feet.

Now, I have not seen him play, but my understanding was he was an excellent athlete for a guy his size.  I don't think quickness is really the problem.  Its just the question of whether he knows how to play basketball.

[bbd24]

Is he a legit 7-footer?

I think he's just a tad under the 7 foot range.  However,
I've heard his wingspan is huge.  So with that, yeah, I guess he'd be considered a 7 footer and then some.

He'll be the 10 minute backup and get time here and there.  Still raw, young, and a project.  Just like Perkins was when he came out of high school.

[droopdog7]

Is he a legit 7-footer?

I think he's just a tad under the 7 foot range.  However,
I've heard his wingspan is huge.  So with that, yeah, I guess he'd be considered a 7 footer and then some.

He'll be the 10 minute backup and get time here and there.  Still raw, young, and a project.  Just like Perkins was when he came out of high school.

Except that he is almost the same age as Perk now.  But by all means, if he is better than Sheldon, and we are looking at a 10-12th man, what's the harm.

[kozlodoev]

He'll be the 10 minute backup and get time here and there.

Pipe dream. Scal has a better chance of being a 10 minute backup than Erden.

Unless Clifford Ray works miracles with him, he will be a 4 mpg guy for blowouts only.

[clover]

Is he a legit 7-footer?

I think he's just a tad under the 7 foot range.  However,
I've heard his wingspan is huge.  So with that, yeah, I guess he'd be considered a 7 footer and then some.

He'll be the 10 minute backup and get time here and there.  Still raw, young, and a project.  Just like Perkins was when he came out of high school.

You can't really compare an 18yo and a 23yo as projects--much more malleability with the high schooler.

[Kuberski33]

Pipe dream. Scal has a better chance of being a 10 minute backup than Erden.

Unless Clifford Ray works miracles with him, he will be a 4 mpg guy for blowouts only.

Don't see how you can say that till you actually watch the guy.  Danny had to see something in him that he liked.  On the other hand he saw something in Patrick O'Bryant......

[kozlodoev]

Pipe dream. Scal has a better chance of being a 10 minute backup than Erden.

Unless Clifford Ray works miracles with him, he will be a 4 mpg guy for blowouts only.

Don't see how you can say that till you actually watch the guy.  Danny had to see something in him that he liked.  On the other hand he saw something in Patrick O'Bryant......

Let's see, Erden was a backup in his Turkish team, barely cracked 20 minutes per game and seems to be unable to finish around the basket. He doesn't block shots, doesn't pass, and seems to lack any sort of NBA-caliber skill. Add the fact that he's never played in an NBA type of game, and I'd be genuinely astounded if he makes it past training camp.

edit: Did I forget to mention that he appears to be a turnover/foul machine (2.3 turnovers and 3.0 fouls in a little over 22 minutes of play last season)?

[xmuscularghandix]

Pipe dream. Scal has a better chance of being a 10 minute backup than Erden.

Unless Clifford Ray works miracles with him, he will be a 4 mpg guy for blowouts only.

Don't see how you can say that till you actually watch the guy.  Danny had to see something in him that he liked.  On the other hand he saw something in Patrick O'Bryant......

So did i, Patrick O’Bryant has a soft touch and a LOT of nice offensive moves. It’s just that he’s too soft and weak to actually guard anybody.

[boscel33]

Guys, i'm from Europe and have seen Erden more then US fans. He's better then Shelden Williams,i have no problem with Erden be our 5th big.

Thanks for the input.  I've done my best to follow right ups and reports.  It seems as though he played a good part in the champiosnship this year.  Who knows?