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

[Change]

Erden was pretty impressive tonight. Was in the right places on offense and defense, has nice court awareness (made some nice passes), and a decent pair of hands.

His fouls were kind of rookie-type touch fouls. He's young and new to the NBA so he'll learn what he can and can't do.

I don't know how much potential he has but there's one thing for sure:

He can do everything Shelden Williams did and more.

He cannot defend at near the level Shelden Williams did, and he looked lost with the ball as much as he looked solid. Plus those "rookie" mistakes..the guy is 24 years old. Shelden is 26.

Which Shelden you speak of? The Shelden from last was a terrible defender. He was always late making the rotation. He was a terrible PnR Defender. And fouled too much on the one-on-one matcups. Semih is much more advanced when it comes to Defense. His national team ran similar Scheme. And Semih was their best defender.

That's simply not true, Shelden's defense 1 on 1 was pretty good when he wasn't completely overmatched, and Semih Erden was not Turkey's best low-post defender, in fact he usually didn't start so their best defender, Omer Asik (like 37% FT percentage) could anchor the middle.

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-bulls-confidential/2010/09/omer-asik-playing-key-role-for-6-0-turkey.html

Actually Asik is the better offensive player of the two, while Erden is far and away the better defensive player.  The defense in that tournament when Erden was in the game was much better than when Asik was. 

I only got to see 2 games where Turkey played, so I'm not really basing it on that.

Mostly its on what I read, and most people praised Asik's defense, while if anything defense was a secondary mention for Erden.

However as an aside...both guys aren't really good defenders at an NBA level IMO..after watching Rudy Gay and Lamar Odom steal boards and gain positon on both guys in the chip game, neither one is an NBA defender right now.

Those are two of the more talented players in the NBA. Borderline Allstar players I would say. They should pose problems for end of the guys like Erden & Asik a hard time. Now that they are in the NBA & playing along side better talent will see how they bode. So far so good for Semih Erden. He has shown better promise than Asik.

[indeedproceed]

Erden was pretty impressive tonight. Was in the right places on offense and defense, has nice court awareness (made some nice passes), and a decent pair of hands.

His fouls were kind of rookie-type touch fouls. He's young and new to the NBA so he'll learn what he can and can't do.

I don't know how much potential he has but there's one thing for sure:

He can do everything Shelden Williams did and more.

He cannot defend at near the level Shelden Williams did, and he looked lost with the ball as much as he looked solid. Plus those "rookie" mistakes..the guy is 24 years old. Shelden is 26.

Which Shelden you speak of? The Shelden from last was a terrible defender. He was always late making the rotation. He was a terrible PnR Defender. And fouled too much on the one-on-one matcups. Semih is much more advanced when it comes to Defense. His national team ran similar Scheme. And Semih was their best defender.

That's simply not true, Shelden's defense 1 on 1 was pretty good when he wasn't completely overmatched, and Semih Erden was not Turkey's best low-post defender, in fact he usually didn't start so their best defender, Omer Asik (like 37% FT percentage) could anchor the middle.

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-bulls-confidential/2010/09/omer-asik-playing-key-role-for-6-0-turkey.html

Actually Asik is the better offensive player of the two, while Erden is far and away the better defensive player.  The defense in that tournament when Erden was in the game was much better than when Asik was. 

I only got to see 2 games where Turkey played, so I'm not really basing it on that.

Mostly its on what I read, and most people praised Asik's defense, while if anything defense was a secondary mention for Erden.

However as an aside...both guys aren't really good defenders at an NBA level IMO..after watching Rudy Gay and Lamar Odom steal boards and gain positon on both guys in the chip game, neither one is an NBA defender right now.

Those are two of the more talented players in the NBA. Borderline Allstar players I would say. They should pose problems for end of the guys like Erden & Asik a hard time. Now that they are in the NBA & playing along side better talent will see how they bode. So far so good for Semih Erden. He has shown better promise than Asik.

Well I'd hardly call Lamar Odom and Rudy Gay top tier rebounders. How do you think they'd do against Reggie Evans? Dajuan Blair? Those guys would eat both of them alive.

As far as long term prospects, I'd take Asik.

[Change]

Erden was pretty impressive tonight. Was in the right places on offense and defense, has nice court awareness (made some nice passes), and a decent pair of hands.

His fouls were kind of rookie-type touch fouls. He's young and new to the NBA so he'll learn what he can and can't do.

I don't know how much potential he has but there's one thing for sure:

He can do everything Shelden Williams did and more.

He cannot defend at near the level Shelden Williams did, and he looked lost with the ball as much as he looked solid. Plus those "rookie" mistakes..the guy is 24 years old. Shelden is 26.

Which Shelden you speak of? The Shelden from last was a terrible defender. He was always late making the rotation. He was a terrible PnR Defender. And fouled too much on the one-on-one matcups. Semih is much more advanced when it comes to Defense. His national team ran similar Scheme. And Semih was their best defender.

That's simply not true, Shelden's defense 1 on 1 was pretty good when he wasn't completely overmatched, and Semih Erden was not Turkey's best low-post defender, in fact he usually didn't start so their best defender, Omer Asik (like 37% FT percentage) could anchor the middle.

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-bulls-confidential/2010/09/omer-asik-playing-key-role-for-6-0-turkey.html

Actually Asik is the better offensive player of the two, while Erden is far and away the better defensive player.  The defense in that tournament when Erden was in the game was much better than when Asik was. 

I only got to see 2 games where Turkey played, so I'm not really basing it on that.

Mostly its on what I read, and most people praised Asik's defense, while if anything defense was a secondary mention for Erden.

However as an aside...both guys aren't really good defenders at an NBA level IMO..after watching Rudy Gay and Lamar Odom steal boards and gain positon on both guys in the chip game, neither one is an NBA defender right now.

Those are two of the more talented players in the NBA. Borderline Allstar players I would say. They should pose problems for end of the guys like Erden & Asik a hard time. Now that they are in the NBA & playing along side better talent will see how they bode. So far so good for Semih Erden. He has shown better promise than Asik.

Well I'd hardly call Lamar Odom and Rudy Gay top tier rebounders. How do you think they'd do against Reggie Evans? Dajuan Blair? Those guys would eat both of them alive.

As far as long term prospects, I'd take Asik.

Lamar is a beast on the boards. At this stage of his career, He is much better rebounder than KG. As far as Rudy Gay, meh...... Everything about him is overrated. And he is getting Lebron James money, freaking Grizzlies. He is a decent rebounder though @ the SF position.

[LooseCannon]

I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer..but the funniest moments of the 3/4 quarters was when Semih thought it would be a good idea to 'create' something on the floor. It was like watching a soccer player in a boxing match. He couldn't have flopped around or looked more out of place if he tried.

I think a lot of centers sometimes get that bug.  Doesn't Perk occasionally have moments where he decides that he can be an offensive superstar and tries to create something that isn't there?

It's very possible that Erden doesn't play as well in his next game.  There are people who will be tempted to weigh Game 1 either too much or not enough in their evaluation of Erden.  At this point, I'd guess that he showed enough that it's a bit ridiculous to say he has no chance of ever becoming at least a serviceable back-up center in the NBA, but it's far from guaranteed that he will ever be useful.

[guava_wrench]

Semih's failed attempt to go one on two late in the game was not much worse than similar failed attempts by our wings during the game. What I like about that play though is his confidence. At least by trying, he will have a good idea what he can do.

I don't expect him to always finish as well as he did today, but his ability to catch the ball was excellent (unlike Williams).

I'm not sure what Williams did better defensively. I would agree that he was a more skilled rebounder, but it is far more important to be able to fit in our defensive schemes. Remember all the minutes Baby stole from Powe for this reason? Erden looked comfortable in our defense.

We can't conclude much from one game, but it does seem that the people who exaggerated his hopelessness in the face of NBA talent were talking out their behinds.

What I found interesting about his decisions on offense was his lack of hesitation. He either went strong into his move, or waited and threaded the needle with a pass. Typically, new NBA players have a hard time adjusting to the speed of the NBA. He hasn't.

I am also always wary of people who try to extrapolate stats abroad to chances here. Brandon Jennings was far more successful here than abroad. Style and system play a part in a player's success.

[Bankshot]

The guy who Gaffney is competing with for a roster spot is really Harangody, not Erden.  Gaffney might also make it if Delonte West or Von Wafer blows up mentally.

I think the Celtics almost have to keep Erden until at least the trading deadline because he has a much better chance than Gaffney or Lafeyette of developing into a trade asset, since he doesn't actually have to produce; he just has to look tall and athletic to someone who is willing to gamble.

No, not really. I don't see a scenario in which Erden makes the team, and Harangody doesn't.

Do you see it now?

Harangody may still make it, but Erden definitely is a lock. But I knew that already because 7 footers will always get a chance.

[Roy H.]

Some perspective: in Paddy O'Blount's first preseason game, he had 10 points, 8 boards, and 3 blocks, earning the CB MVP for that game.

[Bankshot]

Some perspective: in Paddy O'Blount's first preseason game, he had 10 points, 8 boards, and 3 blocks, earning the CB MVP for that game.

Yup and he was given every opportunity, just like Semi will be given.  But O'Bryant had the skills, but didn't put in the effort consistently.  We saw Semi play over the summer. He wasn't always successful, but the effort was there. If Semi puts in the effort, he'll be fine.

[Roy H.]

Some perspective: in Paddy O'Blount's first preseason game, he had 10 points, 8 boards, and 3 blocks, earning the CB MVP for that game.

Yup and he was given every opportunity, just like Semi will be given.  But O'Bryant had the skills, but didn't put in the effort consistently.  We saw Semi play over the summer. He wasn't always successful, but the effort was there. If Semi puts in the effort, he'll be fine.

I think you're probably right; Semih is probably farther along than POB, and has the work ethic to succeed.

However, it does give us some perspective.  Preseason heroes like POB, Gabe Pruitt, and Brandon Wallace don't always show the same skills in the regular season. 

Of course, sometimes they do, as well.  If Semih could give 5 minutes per game where he plays his opponent evenly, I'd be thrilled.

[Assassin70]

Some perspective: in Paddy O'Blount's first preseason game, he had 10 points, 8 boards, and 3 blocks, earning the CB MVP for that game.

I was not getting carried away for the reasons I posted earlier.

Very nice perspective TP!

[incoherent]

Semih Erden wasn't just having a good game... first his BBIQ is far higher then Paddy O'Blount could ever hope for.  He also seems far more comfortable and coordinated in his big frame then O'Blount.

I might be optimistic after a great game by our whole team... but I didn't see any lapse in Erden's play.  It was solid on both ends during his extended minutes.

In short, I would be surprised if this was a pre-season fluke game.

[Chris]

I definitely underestimated this guy.  I still think his ceiling is as a backup center in this league, but I was very impressed with him last night.  He clearly has great instincts and a high BBIQ.  He has good hands, solid athleticism, and just seems to know what to do, even if he is still learning the system.  I already feel more comfortable with him on the floor than Shelden Williams.

[Fafnir]

Some perspective: in Paddy O'Blount's first preseason game, he had 10 points, 8 boards, and 3 blocks, earning the CB MVP for that game.

Yup and he was given every opportunity, just like Semi will be given.  But O'Bryant had the skills, but didn't put in the effort consistently.  We saw Semi play over the summer. He wasn't always successful, but the effort was there. If Semi puts in the effort, he'll be fine.

I think you're probably right; Semih is probably farther along than POB, and has the work ethic to succeed.

However, it does give us some perspective.  Preseason heroes like POB, Gabe Pruitt, and Brandon Wallace don't always show the same skills in the regular season. 

Of course, sometimes they do, as well.  If Semih could give 5 minutes per game where he plays his opponent evenly, I'd be thrilled.

7 Foot stiffs are a fine tradition in the in NBA. If he can contribute to Shelden's overall level I'll be very pleased.

Definitely worth keeping around until Perkins is back at least.

[KobeGotRondoD]

Trade Perkins

[the_Bird]

The only really bad play Erdin seemed to have was that lame foul, where he put his hands up but didn't really impede the driver's lane to the basket.  Fencepost defense.

Other than that, the kid looked athletic and coordinated, made some smart plays, seems to have good hands, hits his fouls shots.  Looked good.  Gotta rewatch some of the game tonight, watch him a little more closely on the defensive end, see if he's blocking out consistently.