Semih Love Thread

[Fafnir]

I've been thinking that these minutes he's been getting are probably going to pay off down the road.  He's got some skills, great size, mobility, etc., and experience at the Worlds last year on a winning squad.  He's going to be a player.  No need to be too tough on a rookie when they shouldn't even be expected to play.

Startling prediction:  Erden is the future starting Center of the Rondo era.

Wow, I would not go that far, but I love your enthusiasm. I see him more as a solid back up to Perk kind of the way Gortat backs up Howard.

Gortat has shown that he can be a quality starter if Howard is out however, Semih has not in his opportunities.

[footey]

I've been thinking that these minutes he's been getting are probably going to pay off down the road.  He's got some skills, great size, mobility, etc., and experience at the Worlds last year on a winning squad.  He's going to be a player.  No need to be too tough on a rookie when they shouldn't even be expected to play.

Startling prediction:  Erden is the future starting Center of the Rondo era.

Wow, I would not go that far, but I love your enthusiasm. I see him more as a solid back up to Perk kind of the way Gortat backs up Howard.

Gortat has shown that he can be a quality starter if Howard is out however, Semih has not in his opportunities.

Actually, Gortat fell a bit flat when given starting opportunities.  I think he is probably meant to be a back up. 

[footey]

Erden was probably a little shy in camp. Danny gets  another Tommy point getting this big man. Imagine with the other 3 walking wounded centers we have this guy is playing very acceptable.

It is interesting how all we debated after that draft was who was the better pick, Giddens or Walker. Turns out, Semih was the best pick of all for us. Just learning that now.  by the way, is Giddens still in the NBA??

[Fafnir]

I've been thinking that these minutes he's been getting are probably going to pay off down the road.  He's got some skills, great size, mobility, etc., and experience at the Worlds last year on a winning squad.  He's going to be a player.  No need to be too tough on a rookie when they shouldn't even be expected to play.

Startling prediction:  Erden is the future starting Center of the Rondo era.

Wow, I would not go that far, but I love your enthusiasm. I see him more as a solid back up to Perk kind of the way Gortat backs up Howard.

Gortat has shown that he can be a quality starter if Howard is out however, Semih has not in his opportunities.

Actually, Gortat fell a bit flat when given starting opportunities.  I think he is probably meant to be a back up.  

What do you mean fell a bit flat? His team won 4-1 games he's started he's averaged 9.2 PPG 11.2 RPG shooting 53% in 33 MPG.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gortama01/splits/

He's stuck behind the best center in the NBA, he just doesn't get time on the court. His career numbers are rather consistent.

[BostonTR]

As a Turkish fan of both Celtics and Semih, I have to admit that I am really surprised and impressed with his recent performance with Celtics. Before the start of the season, I gave him zero chance to play more than 2 minutes in a game. It is not because he is a bad player but he is a rookie (+ a European rookie), he has a shoulder injury, he doesn't know English and lastly he doesn't know the defensive and offensive sets of NBA well and it will take some time to adapt it. As you know, European and NBA basketball is far away from each other.

However, he got the chance to play significant minutes in last games as most of the C's bigs were not available. I can't say he was the star of the games, he made lots of mistakes (especially at the first quarters) since he had the pressure of "what if I can't succeed" and the fear of getting early fouls in the defence. When he got used to play more minutes and concentrate the game without the pressure and fear I mentioned above, he showed that he can be a good backup player in short run especially for a 4th (or 5th big) and 2 round 60th pick. 

It is too early to make keen judgements about him. I think he deserves a chance to show herself. He is a raw player, have lots of things to learn. He will be better within  1-2 years in my opinion.

Note : Sorry for the bad English, I'm not a native speaker. I hope I can express myself clearly. 

Crystal clear in fact.  I love reading the view of fans outside the US.  Thanks.

As Tommy would say " I love Semih "

Or, you might try ...   i erden aşk

Nice try, better than my English. 

[clover]

I've been thinking that these minutes he's been getting are probably going to pay off down the road.  He's got some skills, great size, mobility, etc., and experience at the Worlds last year on a winning squad.  He's going to be a player.  No need to be too tough on a rookie when they shouldn't even be expected to play.

Startling prediction:  Erden is the future starting Center of the Rondo era.

Wow, I would not go that far, but I love your enthusiasm. I see him more as a solid back up to Perk kind of the way Gortat backs up Howard.

Gortat has shown that he can be a quality starter if Howard is out however, Semih has not in his opportunities.

I don't think Semih's starting down the line is beyond the imaginable.  I could also see him in something of Baby's current role as the first guy off the bench who gets starter minutes and could situationally be in to close games as well.

I do think Doc has seen enough potential in Semih that he has contributed to Doc's interest in maybe coaching here beyond the Big Three era.  If Danny's got a stable of serviceable young big guys who don't need to be overpaid, that makes it much more likely he can rebuild as the Rondo-era team with a couple of star free-agent wings.

[gar]

Semih has the heart of a Celtic. Nothing phases him, he does not shy away from contact. He is not as Stoic as Parish or as beastly as Perk; but is a nice combo of the two.

Can't figure out if he has really bad timing or he just trying to throw people off their shots; but he does not set up for a block like most players - whatever it is it is very effective.

[2short]

The nice thing is this is our FOURTH string center when we have a full team.  Next season I'd expect some really good play from Semih once he has this season under his belt, better english AND he's healthy.

[More Banners]

I've been thinking that these minutes he's been getting are probably going to pay off down the road.  He's got some skills, great size, mobility, etc., and experience at the Worlds last year on a winning squad.  He's going to be a player.  No need to be too tough on a rookie when they shouldn't even be expected to play.

Startling prediction:  Erden is the future starting Center of the Rondo era.

Wow, I would not go that far, but I love your enthusiasm. I see him more as a solid back up to Perk kind of the way Gortat backs up Howard.

Gortat has shown that he can be a quality starter if Howard is out however, Semih has not in his opportunities.

I don't think Semih's starting down the line is beyond the imaginable.  I could also see him in something of Baby's current role as the first guy off the bench who gets starter minutes and could situationally be in to close games as well.

I do think Doc has seen enough potential in Semih that he has contributed to Doc's interest in maybe coaching here beyond the Big Three era.  If Danny's got a stable of serviceable young big guys who don't need to be overpaid, that makes it much more likely he can rebuild as the Rondo-era team with a couple of star free-agent wings.

Wow.  I think my mind has just been changed.  I had thought of Perk and BBD separately, as two good role players that shouldn't be overpaid and could perhaps be replaced, but for a reasonable price, and along with Semih at a reasonable price, that's a pretty nice set of bigs-a very decent 3-player rotation.  We'd definitely need two all-star wings, though.  That might make it more complicated...

[Yoki_IsTheName]

sign me up on the Semih bandwagon. He's been doing much more than everyone expected he would.

I'm just loving the effort. The effort to play defense and do the little things is what helps any team. He may be still a step slow on rotations and a bit foul prone but you gotta give it up for his effort to not give up on the play and try to alter, stop shots and rebound for as able as he can.

I hope Danny keeps him, he maybe can be a cheap, great backup for Perk in the future. Especially when he learns to finish strong with Rondo passing the rock and his good hands, oh boy I'm seeing a lot of dunks right now.

[PosImpos]

I think Gortat or Zaza Pachulia is absolute ceiling we could expect from Semih.  I'd be very surprised if he were ever as good as either of those players, though.

Probably a very solid 3rd string center though.  He has a solid chance of being head and shoulders better than guys like Kosta Koufos, Kyrylo Fesenko, and Johan Petro.

[Neurotic Guy]

I think Gortat or Zaza Pachulia is absolute ceiling we could expect from Semih.  I'd be very surprised if he were ever as good as either of those players, though.

Probably a very solid 3rd string center though.  He has a solid chance of being head and shoulders better than guys like Kosta Koufos, Kyrylo Fesenko, and Johan Petro.

In 2010-11, the 26 year old Gortat is having his best season statistically.  He is 2.5 years older than Erden and he is in his 4th NBA season.  He is playing 15 minutes and averaging 4.1 points and 4.6 rebounds.

Zaza is in his 8th year, is 26, and in 14 minutes is averaging 4.3 points and 3.6 rebounds.  His prime seems to have been back when he was 20.

Erden is a 24 year old rookie, is playing the first 20 games of his NBA career and is averaging 13 minutes 4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds.  He is also an inch taller than Gortat or Pahulia.

I realize the jury is long from being out on Erden, but you are already calling this his ceiling?

[PosImpos]

I think Gortat or Zaza Pachulia is absolute ceiling we could expect from Semih.  I'd be very surprised if he were ever as good as either of those players, though.

Probably a very solid 3rd string center though.  He has a solid chance of being head and shoulders better than guys like Kosta Koufos, Kyrylo Fesenko, and Johan Petro.

In 2010-11, the 26 year old Gortat is having his best season statistically.  He is 2.5 years older than Erden and he is in his 4th NBA season.  He is playing 15 minutes and averaging 4.1 points and 4.6 rebounds.

Zaza is in his 8th year, is 26, and in 14 minutes is averaging 4.3 points and 3.6 rebounds.  His prime seems to have been back when he was 20.

Erden is a 24 year old rookie, is playing the first 20 games of his NBA career and is averaging 13 minutes 4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds.  He is also an inch taller than Gortat or Pahulia.

I realize the jury is long from being out on Erden, but you are already calling this his ceiling?

Semih benefits from being on a team with a pass-first point guard and a selfless offensive mentality.  Gortat and Pachulia are both on teams with shoot-first point guards and very little diversity offensively.  I'd expect both players to be far more productive in Semih's place.  As you noted, Zaza has actually had far more productive seasons when he had a larger role.

Of course, both Zaza and Gortat have been in the league for a lot longer than Semih, so it's to be expected that they would be more consistently productive.  I think Gortat is the best comparison, although Gortat is a better rebounder and probably always will be.

[footey]

I've been thinking that these minutes he's been getting are probably going to pay off down the road.  He's got some skills, great size, mobility, etc., and experience at the Worlds last year on a winning squad.  He's going to be a player.  No need to be too tough on a rookie when they shouldn't even be expected to play.

Startling prediction:  Erden is the future starting Center of the Rondo era.

Wow, I would not go that far, but I love your enthusiasm. I see him more as a solid back up to Perk kind of the way Gortat backs up Howard.

Gortat has shown that he can be a quality starter if Howard is out however, Semih has not in his opportunities.

Actually, Gortat fell a bit flat when given starting opportunities.  I think he is probably meant to be a back up.  

What do you mean fell a bit flat? His team won 4-1 games he's started he's averaged 9.2 PPG 11.2 RPG shooting 53% in 33 MPG.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gortama01/splits/

He's stuck behind the best center in the NBA, he just doesn't get time on the court. His career numbers are rather consistent.

Fair enough. It's just that he seemed quite dominant in limited minutes subbing for Dwight, his PER maybe even comparable to that of Dwight, but when he started I just felt he was a bit of a let down.  4-1 record does not impress. Celtics are undefeated with Semih starting, but who would dare toot that horn. 

[Neurotic Guy]

I think Gortat or Zaza Pachulia is absolute ceiling we could expect from Semih.  I'd be very surprised if he were ever as good as either of those players, though.

Probably a very solid 3rd string center though.  He has a solid chance of being head and shoulders better than guys like Kosta Koufos, Kyrylo Fesenko, and Johan Petro.

In 2010-11, the 26 year old Gortat is having his best season statistically.  He is 2.5 years older than Erden and he is in his 4th NBA season.  He is playing 15 minutes and averaging 4.1 points and 4.6 rebounds.

Zaza is in his 8th year, is 26, and in 14 minutes is averaging 4.3 points and 3.6 rebounds.  His prime seems to have been back when he was 20.

Erden is a 24 year old rookie, is playing the first 20 games of his NBA career and is averaging 13 minutes 4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds.  He is also an inch taller than Gortat or Pahulia.

I realize the jury is long from being out on Erden, but you are already calling this his ceiling?

Semih benefits from being on a team with a pass-first point guard and a selfless offensive mentality.  Gortat and Pachulia are both on teams with shoot-first point guards and very little diversity offensively.  I'd expect both players to be far more productive in Semih's place.  As you noted, Zaza has actually had far more productive seasons when he had a larger role.

Of course, both Zaza and Gortat have been in the league for a lot longer than Semih, so it's to be expected that they would be more consistently productive.  I think Gortat is the best comparison, although Gortat is a better rebounder and probably always will be.

If you are suggesting that both Gortat and Zaza are currently not yet at their own ceilings AND ultimately you don't project Semih's to be higher than theirs, I'd say you are probably correct.  I guess I just have a hard time establishing a ceiling for Erden this early in his NBA career.  I think he actually does have the capacity to be as good a rebounder as Gortat.