Thoughts on Yabusele or Semi? Do they have potential to be our PF of the future?

[Monkhouse]

I actually think Semi could have an Draymond-Green lite type of potential. Draymond is Draymond Green, because of his versatility, and passing ability. But I think Semi will be the perfect model for 3 and D. And I think he's going to be surprising a lot of people.

So what are your thoughts? Who on our team could end up being that PF, we have been looking for? Will Tatum switch over to the 4, and dominate like a Carmelo Anthony should've in today's era?

In before Anthony Davis lol.

[SaCaCh]

I think people are sleeping on Semi. I believe he will end up playing a very important role on this team before the year is over.

[No Nickname]

There is no way Semi is playing PF.  Crowder may have out of pure necessity, but I just think Semi is too small.  He's plenty big for a SF but not PF.

Without shoes he's 6'5-1/4".  Same weight as Crowder.  Has a 1/2" on Crowder.  But still not big enough for a full time PF.

[greece66]

We have already discussed them both, and i recall ppl making some good points on Yabusele being more of a smallball center than a PF.

[smokeablount]

I actually think Semi could have an Draymond-Green lite type of potential. Draymond is Draymond Green, because of his versatility, and passing ability. But I think Semi will be the perfect model for 3 and D. And I think he's going to be surprising a lot of people.

So what are your thoughts? Who on our team could end up being that PF, we have been looking for? Will Tatum switch over to the 4, and dominate like a Carmelo Anthony should've in today's era?

In before Anthony Davis lol.

I don't see Draymond at all when I look at Semi.  He would have to show an insane level of improvement in several areas that no one has seen from him yet.  He's already, what, 23?

While it may not be a perfect comp on short notice, I could see a young stronger James Posey.

I have no idea what to expect of Yabu.  Hoping to watch him this year and get some idea.

[Big333223]

I understand that Semi and Draymond are physically similar but they are very different players. Semi is never going to be a defensive player of the year and he's never going to lead an NBA team in assists. It's not a good comparison.

But Semi does have potential to be a modern 3-and-D 4. He's got the bulk to bang with bigger PF's but looks like he has the quickness to stay with quicker 3's that slide down a position. If he can knock down 3's and slide his feet, he'll be valuable in the NBA.

And I think the exact same things about Yausele but I'm a little more confident in his ability at the next level. I wouldn't be surprised as all if Yabu is around for a long time.

[CelticsElite]

I dont understand people who can't see them playing the 4. The "Chris bosh" 6'11 power forwards don't really exist anymore

[Ed Hollison]

I dont understand people who can't see them playing the 4. The "Chris bosh" 6'11 power forwards don't really exist anymore

Completely agree. You can play the 4 in today's NBA if you've got long arms and strength. Paul Pierce played some 4 with the Clippers towards the end of his career. Gordon Hayward played some with the Jazz last year. For that matter, Barkley is one of the greatest PFs ever at 6'5" or whatever he was. Definitely not an issue.

[footey]

I think Yabusele is going to be a much better player than Semi. He is several years younger, a better shooter, bigger, etc.  He played quite well for the Red Claws despite having bone spurs. I expect post-surgery, once in good shape, he is going to really do well.

[tstorey_97]

I'm with footey on Yabusele. He is different from Semi. He is far more fluid and obviously he is bigger. Yabusele uses his size with very good effect.

I think they both have solid shooting ability which explains why they're still on the roster. I have watched a lot of Yabusele from last year and he hasn't played in a league that offers anything resembling defense. Thus, I don't know about that end of the court for him. He might be the prototypical "small ball big" as he appears to have an above average motor, what the heck he is still a kid.

Semi can shoot and pass. He looks quite good on offense close to the rim. Again, SMU and SL weren't huge on defense, but, Semi plays square on his feet and runs the court well.

My concern for Semi is he is deep on the roster in a fairly crowded spot. He has not had any D league yet, thus, I think he will see time in Maine.

An overlooked rotation might feature a PF and center combo of "Semi and the dancing bear." They would punish small ball line ups wouldn't they? The T shirt sales are a potential bonanza.

Yabusele has had his so called professional year and "might" be able to run, pass, shoot and push his 270 pounds into some minutes.

[Celtics4ever]

Only in small ball lineups is the real answer.

I think Yabusele is going to be a much better player than Semi.

I will take that bet.  I think Yabusele could struggle with NBA players but I hope I am wrong about that. 

[PickNRoll]

Only in small ball lineups is the real answer.

I think Yabusele is going to be a much better player than Semi.

I will take that bet.  I think Yabusele could struggle with NBA players but I hope I am wrong about that.

I will also take that bet.  Semi is NBA-ready.  He comes in with a very mature game, a high IQ player.  He's a remarkable athlete, with Crowder-like strength and insane burst (vertically) for a guy his size.  He throws down vicious 2-handed dunks from a standstill (compare to Crowder).  He plays way above the rim and he's a quick leaper, 40.5 in vert.  He has a quick release and the potential to be a 40% 3pt shooter.  He posted the 3rd and 8th best results in agility and sprint, respectively, in the entire draft class at the combine.  6'7 with a 6'9.75 wingspan.  I'd bet on him being an NBA starter.

Yabusele is a wildcard.  There's not much precedent for guys with his body type being standout players.  At 6'8, 270lbs he's carrying a lot of bulk.  He carries it well, for now, but how do his knees, back, and feet hold up under that stress over the 82 game grind?  We're already seeing signs.

[IDreamCeltics]

I think Semi has a chance to fill the Jay Crowder role.

One of the most underrated things about Crowder was how he played defense on Kevin Love... Currently the Celtics have no one that plays Love well (maybe Morris?) And they could really use someone with Jay's Strength and sense of positioning from under the basket out to the three point line.

[SHAQATTACK]

big baby or bass

[__ramonezy__]

Only in small ball lineups is the real answer.

I think Yabusele is going to be a much better player than Semi.

I will take that bet.  I think Yabusele could struggle with NBA players but I hope I am wrong about that.

I will also take that bet.  Semi is NBA-ready.  He comes in with a very mature game, a high IQ player.  He's a remarkable athlete, with Crowder-like strength and insane burst (vertically) for a guy his size.  He throws down vicious 2-handed dunks from a standstill (compare to Crowder).  He plays way above the rim and he's a quick leaper, 40.5 in vert.  He has a quick release and the potential to be a 40% 3pt shooter.  He posted the 3rd and 8th best results in agility and sprint, respectively, in the entire draft class at the combine.  6'7 with a 6'9.75 wingspan.  I'd bet on him being an NBA starter.

Yabusele is a wildcard.  There's not much precedent for guys with his body type being standout players.  At 6'8, 270lbs he's carrying a lot of bulk.  He carries it well, for now, but how do his knees, back, and feet hold up under that stress over the 82 game grind?  We're already seeing signs.

I think Semi is NBA-ready as well, but largely because he is a role player with a very defined role... he's going to earn his living as a defender and whatever offense comes with that would be a plus.

For Yabu, who comes to mind is Larry Johnson... with similar upside. Yabu's offensive potential is tantalizing, if he realizes that he's 270 pounds and can back down most defenders. In a way I miss the old school PF play, where you get abused on the block... not a fan of everyone being a jump shooter.