Celtics sign Semih Erden

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Not saying he's ever gonna be an all-star, but I've been watching video clips of Erden, and he looks decent. He doesn't look like a 7-footer, which is a good thing -- meaning he has enough meat on his bones so he doesn't look like a twig, which means he should be able to bang. He doesn't look like a stiff either (see Big Z), running the court smoothly on the break and taking an alley-oop for a dunk, with decent air. Don't want to get my hopes too high, but he absolutely canNOT be worse than Shel and Scal, and he's got better size, so why not give him a real shot?

[Mike-Dub]

I hope you're right.

[Jon Niednagel]

Well I haven't seen or read much about him, but I pray he turns out to be the next Marc Gasol or Scola.  

[perks-a-beast]

anyone looks good in highlight packages. I could make a video package of Scal highlights and you'd think he was an all-star.

just saying, don't take it too seriously. But that would be great for us if you're right.

[guava_wrench]

Not saying he's ever gonna be an all-star, but I've been watching video clips of Erden, and he looks decent. He doesn't look like a 7-footer, which is a good thing -- meaning he has enough meat on his bones so he doesn't look like a twig, which means he should be able to bang. He doesn't look like a stiff either (see Big Z), running the court smoothly on the break and taking an alley-oop for a dunk, with decent air. Don't want to get my hopes too high, but he absolutely canNOT be worse than Shel and Scal, and he's got better size, so why not give him a real shot?

Are you watching highlight clips, or full games? I will give you the benefit of the doubt that you are not forming opinions off of highlight clips.

Obviously, he CAN be worse than both Shel and Scal, because there are countless players not even good enough to make the NBA.

[misha]

Well I haven't seen or read much about him, but I pray he turns out to be the next Marc Gasol or Scola.  

Don't get you hopes up. A guy like Scola was one of the best bigs in euroleague. Same with Splitter who's gonna be great for SA or Pekovic that will contribute right away. Erden showed nothing even close to those guys and to expect him blossom in NBA is a little unrealistic. I think he might replace Shelden in the rotation.

[xmuscularghandix]

Brandon Jennings’ numbers in Europe weren’t good either. Thats all i’m saying.

[guava_wrench]

Brandon Jennings’ numbers in Europe weren’t good either. Thats all i’m saying.

Which basically means no point in speculating.

[billysan]

I do hope he joins us for summer league. That will be a nice preview against what may be a higher talent level than he is used to seeing. Just the fact that he is willing to come over and put it on the line is encouraging to me.

If he has any game, Danny will offer him a contract I am sure.

[the_Bird]

I do *suspect* that ownership may be a little more sensitive this year to the luxury tax than before (since there *is* still a decent chance the team's just too old to really win a title).  Therefore, I wouldn't be surprised to see Erden (and Gaffney and Lafayete) at the end of the bench, if they show ANYTHING in summer league/training camp.  If they can pay those three $500k each instead of $1M+ for three veteran minimum guy, they've just saved $3M on the payroll for three roster spots that are HIGHLY unlikely to impact the wins and losses.

[colincb]

anyone looks good in highlight packages. I could make a video package of Scal highlights and you'd think he was an all-star.

Liar

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Not saying he's ever gonna be an all-star, but I've been watching video clips of Erden, and he looks decent. He doesn't look like a 7-footer, which is a good thing -- meaning he has enough meat on his bones so he doesn't look like a twig, which means he should be able to bang. He doesn't look like a stiff either (see Big Z), running the court smoothly on the break and taking an alley-oop for a dunk, with decent air. Don't want to get my hopes too high, but he absolutely canNOT be worse than Shel and Scal, and he's got better size, so why not give him a real shot?

Are you watching highlight clips, or full games? I will give you the benefit of the doubt that you are not forming opinions off of highlight clips.

Obviously, he CAN be worse than both Shel and Scal, because there are countless players not even good enough to make the NBA.

Thanks for giving me the benefit of the doubt, but I must confess to watching just highlights. And your points are well-taken: You can indeed make just about anyone look good via highlights, and of course there are plenty of people (including me) worse than Shel and Scal. Those things being said, however, I think you can garner at least a few things from highlights, such as how a guy moves, and Erden DIDN'T look like Ilgauskas or Shawn Bradley, so that gives me a glimmer of hope.  

[Papatrichs]

Brandon Jennings’ numbers in Europe weren’t good either. Thats all i’m saying.

Which basically means no point in speculating.

Splitter is better than Semih. But obviously way he better than Shelden. Here's hoping like Jenning's outcome Semih's debut will be just like that.

[Andy Jick]

Where is Fran Fraschilla when you need him?

[Gainesville Celtic]

I do *suspect* that ownership may be a little more sensitive this year to the luxury tax than before (since there *is* still a decent chance the team's just too old to really win a title).  Therefore, I wouldn't be surprised to see Erden (and Gaffney and Lafayete) at the end of the bench, if they show ANYTHING in summer league/training camp.  If they can pay those three $500k each instead of $1M+ for three veteran minimum guy, they've just saved $3M on the payroll for three roster spots that are HIGHLY unlikely to impact the wins and losses.

not to quibble, since i agree with your overall point, but the difference is a bit less than you suggest.

the NBA picks up the tab on min. salaries that are more than the 2-year vet. min (this is to encourage teams to sign veterans who would normally cost more).

This year the rookie min. is $473,604
The 2-year veteran minimum is $854,389   

However, Lafayette has 1 year of service time thanks to the 1 game he played last year so his vet. minimum would be $762,195

So looking at just what the Celtics pay (not what the player makes)

the difference between Erden and (say) Tony Battie at the vet min is ~ $380K
the difference between Gaffney and (say) Dominic McGuire at the vet min is ~ $380K
the difference between Lafayette and (say) Rafer Alston at the vet min is ~ $90K

So all told the collective difference is about $1M, not $3M.

From the list above, I think I'd take either Erden or Battie (possibly upside vs. experience), McGuire and Alston.