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

[KobeGotRondoD]

He looked at best average in the FIBA tournament. And he was the 6th man... in an international game.

Erden's got size. But does he have talent? Don't think so. He's going to bullied by the bigs in the NBA next year. I don't see the Celtics keeping him for more than a season.

[Roy H.]

I think a lot of guys like rooting for projects, which is the NBA equivalent of underdogs.  Erden is young, he's got good size, and good footwork.  A lot of fans want to see if we can tap into any potential that he may have.

I'm personally of the opinion that if a better veteran option becomes available, Erden is completely expendable.

[Change]

He is a physical 7 footer, and he can move. What not to like. Don't view him as a star. But as a role player doing the little things such as Setting Screens, Hustling, Rebounding, Defending....... .I think Semih is capable of being a decent role player. With some help from ShaQ & KG, maybe he can pick off a move or two. His best assets right now is his size, and his mobility.

[More Banners]

Pretty save to say that he's a project, which is cool for a last pick in the 2nd round.  So...

...how much more does he have to offer now than Perk did when we drafted him?  Quite a bit, I'd say.

[Roy H.]

Pretty save to say that he's a project, which is cool for a last pick in the 2nd round.  So...

...how much more does he have to offer now than Perk did when we drafted him?  Quite a bit, I'd say.

Definitely true, but the keep difference is that Perk was a high school kid, and Erden is 24.

[xmuscularghandix]

Erden sucks. Tony Gaffney deserves the spot.

[dark_lord]

until he does anything in the games to contribute, i look at him as a stiff.  i will support and root for the guy, but at this point i dont have high hopes.  i hope he proves me wrong.

[guava_wrench]

He looked at best average in the FIBA tournament. And he was the 6th man... in an international game.

Erden's got size. But does he have talent? Don't think so. He's going to bullied by the bigs in the NBA next year. I don't see the Celtics keeping him for more than a season.

How did Chandler look? Chandler has not impressed, and he has been starting in the NBA for a while now.

Erden was also backing up another NBA rookie-to-be. He was not backing up some scrub. Keep in mind that Turkey seemed to have no reservations about playing Erden in important moments.

I am waiting to see how things play out, but we really can't say he will be bullied. He seems to not be afraid to get physical. I am not expecting much, but I am very pleased with him as a last pick of the draft.

[CelticHooligan3]

His role should be goon and enforcer that's all. I was not at all impressed with anything I saw from him in the world championships.

[snively]

His quick feet and his size are his only NBA-level assets.  No jumper that I saw, no real post game, poor defensive awareness, mediocre rebounding ability, bad hands, no explosive athletic ability, poor offensive decision making.

He will be able to hedge the pick and roll though.  I guess that counts for something in this era.

I'm far more intrigued by what Gody can bring to the table.  If he can defend 4s at or near Baby's level and hit 3s (a tall order, I know), he could really work well with Shaq on the 2nd unit.

[ralph]

Im willing to bet that he will not make it through training camp.
I think Gaffney will take that spot. The only problem is that during garbage time we needed a low risk of injury big. But i guess during Garbage time we can plug Baby into Center and Gody for PF.

[gar]

Im willing to bet that he will not make it through training camp.
I think Gaffney will take that spot. The only problem is that during garbage time we needed a low risk of injury big. But i guess during Garbage time we can plug Baby into Center and Gody for PF.

Good point. If BBD can play center and Luke can play PF (remains to be seen), then Erden becomes expendable. Like what Gaffney brings in terms of size and flexibility at SF. Did not expend any energy rebounding. Simply a dunking and shot blocking big who get lost out there from time to time and can't shot FT's.

[dpaps]

His role should be goon and enforcer that's all. I was not at all impressed with anything I saw from him in the world championships.

My sentiments exactly, I wasn't impressed at all and I watched almost all of the Turkey Fiba games. I don't think he's an NBA player, especially not on the Celtics.

[jdpapa3]

Erden sucks. Tony Gaffney deserves the spot.

Gaffney's done nothing to impress me. He might be an average defender at the 3, but will not do anything on offense there. I don't see his value as an NBA player. Unless he comes into training camp and proves the summer league was just a ton of injury rust, he is going to be an easy cut.

If anything, I think Erden helped his trade stock during the WC's...I know they won't be reliable health wise, but Shaq and Jermaine are locked into contracts for the next 2 years and the Perk injury might've knocked his contract offers back to a point where we can match.(not that we have the ability to since he's unrestricted, but I'm pretty sure he'd take our offer if it was equal to all others)

[xmuscularghandix]

Erden sucks. Tony Gaffney deserves the spot.

Gaffney's done nothing to impress me. He might be an average defender at the 3, but will not do anything on offense there. I don't see his value as an NBA player. Unless he comes into training camp and proves the summer league was just a ton of injury rust, he is going to be an easy cut.

If anything, I think Erden helped his trade stock during the WC's...I know they won't be reliable health wise, but Shaq and Jermaine are locked into contracts for the next 2 years and the Perk injury might've knocked his contract offers back to a point where we can match.(not that we have the ability to since he's unrestricted, but I'm pretty sure he'd take our offer if it was equal to all others)

So if Gaffney is an easy cut, Erden is a IMO an easy cut, Lafayette is a D-League All-Star (cut)... which one do you think should stay?

None of these guys have proven anything in the NBA, esspecially Erden, I’d even go as far as to say Semih disappointed me with his play in international rules (the place he’s been playing professionally for the past 5 years...)

Tony Gaffney has been arguably the best defender around at every level of Basketball he’s played... that’s the type of guy i want around as by 12th man.