Doc praises Semih Erden

[Drucci]

Rivers has been impressed with the play of Semih Erden’s  play thus far, saying of the 24-year-old, 7-foot-1 center, “We’re going to need Semih, and I keep saying that. I don’t know when, but he’ll be the axe in the glass: In case you need you have to break it. That may happen a lot, and I think it will happen a lot. Semih knows how to play basketball. He doesn’t know our stuff yet, but that will come.”

When asked about Erden’s play, Shaquille’s initial response was, “Semih Crawford? Yes, she’s gorgeous.” The center then went on to praise his rookie counterpart.”

http://greenstreet.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/2010/10/05/camp-report-doc-rivers-wont-alternate-centers-in-celtics-starting-lineup/

Do you think it's a simple motivational speech from the coach to the young foreigner rr is it honesty from Doc's part, who really plans on using Erden this season? I must admit I don't know the answer since Doc is not used to giving their chance to rookies (although Erden has some experience from his years in Turkey).

[xmuscularghandix]

[j804]

Eh, I remember hearing the same thing about Shelden Williams around the same time last year 

[Roy H.]

Eh, I remember hearing the same thing about Shelden Williams around the same time last year 

I guess in fairness to Doc (and Williams) Shelden played pretty well the first month of the season, when BBD was injured.  He later wasn't as impressive, but in terms of a "break in case of emergency" player, Williams actually filled his role pretty well early on.

[Evantime34]

Eh, I remember hearing the same thing about Shelden Williams around the same time last year 

Semih is younger and taller and thus has more upside. Williams had pretty much peaked before he got to us.

[jdpapa3]

Eh, I remember hearing the same thing about Shelden Williams around the same time last year 

I guess in fairness to Doc (and Williams) Shelden played pretty well the first month of the season, when BBD was injured.  He later wasn't as impressive, but in terms of a "break in case of emergency" player, Williams actually filled his role pretty well early on.

Yes, definitely. That stretch was our best basketball of the entire regular season.

[BballTim]

Eh, I remember hearing the same thing about Shelden Williams around the same time last year 

I guess in fairness to Doc (and Williams) Shelden played pretty well the first month of the season, when BBD was injured.  He later wasn't as impressive, but in terms of a "break in case of emergency" player, Williams actually filled his role pretty well early on.

  Yes, getting the same contribution from Erden that we got from Sheldon would be quite a boon.

[Eeyore III]

It is a basic matter of math: the central point that you'll be seeing our 3rd-string center, Semih, a fair amount this season.  

Snaq and JO's injury history indicates that Semih will be the C's backup C for 25-41 games this year.  Get used to it.  

The good part is that Semih is a promising project.  Is he Snaq?  No.  But he was the core C on the silver-medal team at the FIBA world championships, and to think that he isn't a promising rookie is crazy. 

[Atzar]

Eh, I remember hearing the same thing about Shelden Williams around the same time last year 

I guess in fairness to Doc (and Williams) Shelden played pretty well the first month of the season, when BBD was injured.  He later wasn't as impressive, but in terms of a "break in case of emergency" player, Williams actually filled his role pretty well early on.

  Yes, getting the same contribution from Erden that we got from Sheldon would be quite a boon.

Hopefully without all of the missed dunks.

[fairweatherfan]

Eh, I remember hearing the same thing about Shelden Williams around the same time last year 

I guess in fairness to Doc (and Williams) Shelden played pretty well the first month of the season, when BBD was injured.  He later wasn't as impressive, but in terms of a "break in case of emergency" player, Williams actually filled his role pretty well early on.

Aw, now I'm getting all nostalgic for the "Free Shelden, bench Baby" threads...

[Assassin70]

LOL! TP P.S. Still think thing looks like an Ant.

[KCattheStripe]

Eh, I remember hearing the same thing about Shelden Williams around the same time last year 

I guess in fairness to Doc (and Williams) Shelden played pretty well the first month of the season, when BBD was injured.  He later wasn't as impressive, but in terms of a "break in case of emergency" player, Williams actually filled his role pretty well early on.

Aw, now I'm getting all nostalgic for the "Free Shelden, bench Baby" threads...

mmmmm, Baby hate.

[Chris]

It is a basic matter of math: the central point that you'll be seeing our 3rd-string center, Semih, a fair amount this season.  

Snaq and JO's injury history indicates that Semih will be the C's backup C for 25-41 games this year.  Get used to it.  

The good part is that Semih is a promising project.  Is he Snaq?  No.  But he was the core C on the silver-medal team at the FIBA world championships, and to think that he isn't a promising rookie is crazy. 

I think you are overstating things.  Chances are they will shorten the rotation for much of the time if Shaq or JO are hurt, with most of the minutes going to KG, Baby, and whoever the healthy guy is.  And of course Harangody also will have a great shot at those spare minutes.  

Erden will likely get a shot at some point this season, and he will hopefully hold his own.  But let's not get out of hand here.

Also, I don't know what you mean by "the core C", but he was the backup Center on that team behind Chicago's new backup Center.

[ben]

Eh, I remember hearing the same thing about Shelden Williams around the same time last year 

I guess in fairness to Doc (and Williams) Shelden played pretty well the first month of the season, when BBD was injured.  He later wasn't as impressive, but in terms of a "break in case of emergency" player, Williams actually filled his role pretty well early on.

Yes, definitely. That stretch was our best basketball of the entire regular season.

I agree.  Isn't it interesting that our best stretch of basketball of the entire regular season occurred while Glen Davis was injured. 

[KCattheStripe]

Eh, I remember hearing the same thing about Shelden Williams around the same time last year  

I guess in fairness to Doc (and Williams) Shelden played pretty well the first month of the season, when BBD was injured.  He later wasn't as impressive, but in terms of a "break in case of emergency" player, Williams actually filled his role pretty well early on.

Yes, definitely. That stretch was our best basketball of the entire regular season.

I agree.  Isn't it interesting that our best stretch of basketball of the entire regular season occurred while Glen Davis was injured.  

Woops, misread. Snark deleted.