Semih Erden vs. Rasheed Wallace: Who brings more to the team?

[Roy H.]

A lot of people, including reportedly Danny Ainge, have thought about bringing Rasheed Wallace out of retirement.  For Rasheed to contribute, though, he'd at the very least have to take Semih's minutes, and possibly his roster spot, as well.

So, in terms of present day value (or at least, value entering this year's playoffs) who could help us win more, Rasheed or Semih?

At the beginning of the year, I would have found this to be a laughable thread, with the answer obviously Rasheed.  Now?  It's a tossup.  Semih is playing really well, and is an adequate scorer and defender and a decent rebounder.  He also seems to be getting better.  Rasheed stretches the floor more and is a better defender when in top form, but I think there's a legitimate issue regarding whether Rasheed would be in top form.  Also, there's the potential chemistry issue, although I think that was a bit overstated.

Gun to my head, I don't disrupt what's working, and I go with Semih.

[Edgar]

Rasheed until Semih shows he can play at a high level during important games.

[Greenbean]

Sheed from the playoffs last year was probably better than Semih's absolute ceiling as a player.

The unknown scares me as there is absolutely no guarantee where Sheed is at mentally or physically.

Erden it is.

[Fafnir]

Rasheed, I don't think Semih is good enough defensively to hold his own in the playoffs.

[Mike-Dub]

Semih.  In a heartbeat.

[Bankshot]

Rasheed, I don't think Semih is good enough defensively to hold his own in the playoffs.

[mgent]

I love Semih but come on.  Sheed is a FAR better defender, shooter, and post scorer.  In fact I'm having trouble coming up with a single aspect of the game that Semih is better at (drawing charges maybe Rasheed never did that).

Add that to the fact that Sheed has a butt-load more experience in the league and has played a ridiculous amount of playoff games.  You want me to compare him to a rookie??

[Roy H.]

I love Semih but come on.  Sheed is a FAR better defender, shooter, and post scorer.  In fact I'm having trouble coming up with a single aspect of the game that Semih is better at (drawing charges maybe Rasheed never did that).

Add that to the fact that Sheed has a butt-load more experience in the league and has played a ridiculous amount of playoff games.  You want me to compare him to a rookie??

I'm comparing a rookie to Retired Sheed, whereas you assume we'd be getting Playoff Sheed.

PER 36 minutes, Semih has been a better rebounder than Sheed was last year, he averages as many blocks, and is shooting a higher eFG%.  The scoring per minute isn't far off, either.  With Erden improving, and Rasheed presumably declining last year, it's not an open and shut case.

[thirstyboots18]

I love Semih but come on.  Sheed is a FAR better defender, shooter, and post scorer.  In fact I'm having trouble coming up with a single aspect of the game that Semih is better at (drawing charges maybe Rasheed never did that).

Add that to the fact that Sheed has a butt-load more experience in the league and has played a ridiculous amount of playoff games.  You want me to compare him to a rookie??

Sheed WAS a better defender.  There is no guarantee that Sheed even has the stamina to make it up and down the court this year...his stamina gave out last year (and that was after "playing himself into shape" during the season!

[mgent]

I love Semih but come on.  Sheed is a FAR better defender, shooter, and post scorer.  In fact I'm having trouble coming up with a single aspect of the game that Semih is better at (drawing charges maybe Rasheed never did that).

Add that to the fact that Sheed has a butt-load more experience in the league and has played a ridiculous amount of playoff games.  You want me to compare him to a rookie??

I'm comparing a rookie to Retired Sheed, whereas you assume we'd be getting Playoff Sheed.

It would be hard for me imagine that since the playoffs Rasheed's game has deteriorated to the point that Semih would be able to outplay him.

It's certainly possible that he hasn't exercised once in 6 months AND completely forgot how the game he made a living playing but he would have had to really fallen off a cliff.

We're just playing a guessing game right now, no one can reasonably answer your question without witnessing how much game Sheed really does have left.

[Roy H.]

We're just playing a guessing game right now, no one can reasonably answer your question without witnessing how much game Sheed really does have left.

Well, hopefully *somebody* can answer it, if Danny is faced with the possibility of adding Rasheed.  Projecting how much he'll be able to give, and determining how much his game has deteriorated from last year, will be a big part of Danny's job if Rasheed indicates a preference to play.

[CelticG1]

Rasheed, I don't think Semih is good enough defensively to hold his own in the playoffs.

Also I think Rasheed's knowledge of his opponents is important as well. He knows the big's he'd be playing against thoroughly.

Obviously it's a hard question to answer because who knows what kind of shape Sheed would end up being in. I do think that come playoff time Semih might have a bit of a tougher time against the top teams and top bigs in the league. Also for as bad as Sheed was at the 3 during the season in the playoffs he did make a lot of those "big boy shots" that he claimed he would make.

And one last thing Sheed would give us more versatility at the C. Generally Shaq,Perk, Semih and to a lesser extent all play a lot more around the rim where Sheed can mix it up a bit more

[bballee]

Sheed had half a dozen games of merit last year.  In the other ninety or so, he stunk; and worse yet brought down the level of energy and execution of the team around him.  I'll take Semih.  Energy, hustle, improvement, rebounding, shot blocking, shot challenging, and attitude all  better than the player that was formerly Sheed.  Rasheed showed us just enough of those 8-10 ft. jumpers and ball swats on the way up to appear to offer a real contribution.  Actual production, pretty darn slim--and that's assuming he could still offer that much.

[footey]

Sheed if in shape. Since he is not, Semih.

[CelticG1]

I like Semih but people certainly have a lot of confidence in him to think that he can be this productive against the top teams in the league in the playoffs.