Do you know who is loving Semih Erden?

[Fafnir]

I'm loving how he runs the court.  Every time he is out there on at least one occasion he outruns everyone for fast break dunk.  Great stuff for a seven footer.  And that under the rim pass to Baby was awesome.

He may never be a great finisher and rebounder in traffic, but he does a ton of the little "extras" that a lot of big men can't do.

I'm just shocked and pleased that the random tall Euro actually is a contributor!

When he was picked, and after hearing about his middling to poor play overseas, I never thought he'd give the C's anything.

[Birdbrain]

This Guy



Jermaine O'neal, Shaquille O'neal, and Semih Erden allow Glen Davis to do what he does best to SCORE.

TP very salient point.  Obviously Glenn would be doing his thing either way but, I think Semih's play allows BBD to play more of his all around game. 

Semih's got a very good BBIQ and underrated athleticism.

[moiso]

This Guy



Jermaine O'neal, Shaquille O'neal, and Semih Erden allow Glen Davis to do what he does best to SCORE.

TP very salient point.  Obviously Glenn would be doing his thing either way but, I think Semih's play allows BBD to play more of his all around game. 

Semih's got a very good BBIQ and underrated athleticism.

And a nice motor.

[Q_FBE]

I'm not seeing it.  Last night was the first time Semih and Baby were a positive combination.

Got to start somewhere, In Oklahoma is not a bad place to start.

[DavorCroatiaFan]

European fans knows Erden's game. I said long ago Erden>Shelden.
In two years he can be legit back-up center to Perk or hopefully someone even better. Peace.

[Eeyore III]

I've said before that one of the best things about Semih is that, even though he's a backup, he allows the other 4 guys on the court to play their normal game.  So with Semih manning the paint, Baby can be Baby.

He's still inconsistent, but I think he's a 75-80% FT tosser: he bends his knees, has a consistent release, gets good arc on the ball, and has a fairly soft touch.  I also thinks he understands how important it is for him to hit his FTs in the NBA, and that they're going to be a high percentage of his points, given the NBA game.

I also get the feeling that Doc wouldn't be playing him but for injuries.  I see this as another case of Doc not playing rookies (I know the statistical contrary argument, but think it's a statistical artifact.) except under duress.  But I think Semih is def. benefiting from the game minutes.

Semih rocks!

[xmuscularghandix]

Who would have thought that Semih would end up being the keeper?

[Eddie20]

I also get the feeling that Doc wouldn't be playing him but for injuries.  I see this as another case of Doc not playing rookies (I know the statistical contrary argument, but think it's a statistical artifact.) except under duress.  But I think Semih is def. benefiting from the game minutes.

Semih rocks!

Thing is Semih isn't your typical "rookie". Playing professionally in Europe has allowed him to not be shellshocked out there and he seems to be very poised.

[Fafnir]

I also get the feeling that Doc wouldn't be playing him but for injuries. 

Well yeah but overall I like both O'Neals and BBD better as players.

You don't get many minutes when you're the 5th big man.

[Assassin70]

Who would have thought that Semih would end up being the keeper?

LOL TP!

[BballTim]

You don't get many minutes when you're the 5th big man.

  Unfortunately sometimes you do.

[Change]

Who would have thought that Semih would end up being the keeper?

  Tp

[indeedproceed]

I do not know why really..maybe its all the excitement in this thread, but I am not on the "Erden is awesome!" bandwagon.

I'm on the "Semih Erden is a times maddeningly inconsistent but shows flashes of a skill set that might one day let him be a valuable rotation player, and I am cautiously optimistic about that." bandwagon.

[guava_wrench]

I'm loving how he runs the court.  Every time he is out there on at least one occasion he outruns everyone for fast break dunk.  Great stuff for a seven footer.  And that under the rim pass to Baby was awesome.

He may never be a great finisher and rebounder in traffic, but he does a ton of the little "extras" that a lot of big men can't do.

I'm just shocked and pleased that the random tall Euro actually is a contributor!

When he was picked, and after hearing about his middling to poor play overseas, I never thought he'd give the C's anything.

I am confused by this negative talk about his play oversees. One broadcast mentioned he was a Turkish League all star. That seems to indicate he was not struggling or playing poorly.

Perhaps people were looking for the wrong things?

[Cman]

Who would have thought that Semih would end up being the keeper?

TP.  Not me.