Not sure why so many people like Semih Erden...

[GetYourSoxOn]

Semih Erden was the NBA version of Mr. Irrelevant, which is the last player taken in the draft.  One of the reasons that he was picked so late was that he was under contract with another team in another league.  IMO, if he wasn't under contract in Europe, he would have been taken with an earlier draft pick and we wouldn't be having this discussion.

I think that is the reason Danny took him when he did.  Danny said something at the time to the affect that Semih Erden represented the first round pick that the Celtics didn't have in the next year's draft.

Danny had time to wait out his contract and didn't have to spend big money to buy him out.  Now we have a player that (again, IMO) has more going for him than the average late 2nd round pick.  Time will tell if he actually becomes a viable backup at either the 4 or 5 spot.  I'm willing to wait and see.

[wdleehi]

Does he have any physcial drawbacks as a big man?



I have heard tall, big and athletic on his feet.



Does he have NBA big man level strength?  If so, he clearly stays.  If not, then it would be his ability to develop that strength that decides his spot. 



I think if he makes this team, the only way he is active is if there are a lot of injuries.  And it will take a few big men injured for him to see the floor.  NBDL project.

[Rtpas11]

I highly doubt that we're keeping him...

[Celtics18]

Does he have any physcial drawbacks as a big man?



I have heard tall, big and athletic on his feet.



Does he have NBA big man level strength?  If so, he clearly stays.  If not, then it would be his ability to develop that strength that decides his spot. 



I think if he makes this team, the only way he is active is if there are a lot of injuries.  And it will take a few big men injured for him to see the floor.  NBDL project.

Yeah, he seems pretty strong, as well.  He's not like a Tyrus Thomas style leaper, but physically, I don't think there's any question he's an NBA caliber big man.

The detractors are questioning his basketball skill level more than his physical attributes.  His attitude and work ethic may be in question also.

Despite alot of folks thinking he's an absolute stiff, I, actually, saw some pretty good skills from Semih.  He can handle the ball a little, he's a good passer, and he has decent spin moves inside, even shooting a little in close turnaround with his left hand, at times. 

Semih Erden is a keeper as far as I'm concerned.  I just can't see getting rid of this guy to keep a bunch of marginal combo guards or wings around. 

[Waltah617]

IMO, if he wasn't under contract in Europe, he would have been taken with an earlier draft pick and we wouldn't be having this discussion.

I think that is the reason Danny took him when he did. 

Classic Danny move right there, taking talent first regardless of height, age, or in this case, European contracts.

Despite alot of folks thinking he's an absolute stiff, I, actually, saw some pretty good skills from Semih.  He can handle the ball a little, he's a good passer, and he has decent spin moves inside, even shooting a little in close turnaround with his left hand, at times. 

Semih Erden is a keeper as far as I'm concerned.  I just can't see getting rid of this guy to keep a bunch of marginal combo guards or wings around. 

Great point there.  Having a big man down low who can do it all (Gasol) can give a team so much flexibility.

Every time Danny makes a move he has to be asking one question: Will this player work well with Rondo?  If Danny thinks there is a chance he will, he's keeping him.

[guava_wrench]

I think we are at the point where there isn't anything new left to say about him and we have to just wait to see what happens.

[KobeGotRondoD]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQJHf1RZR9A

This is a video clip from training camp.  3-on-3 that includes harangody, wafer, semih, lasme, plus more.  Semih Erden looks awful! The one basket he makes includes a carry so it wouldnt have counted anyways

[zerophase]

well imo there's a reason why he was the 60th pick....

[gar]

I was very impressed with his defense for Turkey. Asik is far more skilled offensively, but got abused on the defensive end. Erden was the only big that had the toughness and mobility to be effective for Turkey. He can run the floor; but does seem to have a bit of an attitude - perhaps he is more like Perk than we realize. He is a beast - very strong. Makes Lasme look like a little kid.

[guava_wrench]

I was very impressed with his defense for Turkey. Asik is far more skilled offensively, but got abused on the defensive end. Erden was the only big that had the toughness and mobility to be effective for Turkey. He can run the floor; but does seem to have a bit of an attitude - perhaps he is more like Perk than we realize. He is a beast - very strong. Makes Lasme look like a little kid.

I agree. His defense is also something that is hard to appreciate outside of a real game.

He clearly needs work, but isn't that the norm with 3rd string centers?

[gar]

Real question is if he can master the defensive schemes that Doc is going to throw at him. He does loaf around a lot and can't do that in the Celts system.

[Andy Jick]

he's a 15th man...a project...a low risk player.  in other words, who cares?

[bucknersrevenge]

he's a 15th man...a project...a low risk player.  in other words, who cares?

In other words who are these "so many people" the OP is talking about??

[Andy Jick]

he's a 15th man...a project...a low risk player.  in other words, who cares?

In other words who are these "so many people" the OP is talking about??

LOL!!  Yeah...  must be "unnamed sources."  I got into a bit of an argument with my supervisor last week about something.  At first he said "8 or 9 people" were upset about something.  when i asked him "okay, name them so I can get this squared away" the number actually shrank down to 2...

[Atzar]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQJHf1RZR9A

This is a video clip from training camp.  3-on-3 that includes harangody, wafer, semih, lasme, plus more.  Semih Erden looks awful! The one basket he makes includes a carry so it wouldnt have counted anyways

I actually disagree with you - he doesn't look awful there.  His shots didn't go down, but he does show some post moves along with a basic knowledge of how to just be big (which is something I dearly wish Perk would learn).  

Having said this, he's clearly raw, and I'm not fond of his body language - instead of following his own miss, he'd rather throw his hands up and turn away from the play.  This is only practice, but that's not a habit I ever want to see in a game.