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

[ssspence]

Tabu looks he could be a slightly craftier player. If Semi can shoot consistently, he could be a nice 3 and D rotation guy.

[KGBirdBias]

Semi is going to be a better player than Crowder...mark my words. He was at Duke before transferring and the guy can play.

[SCBirdman]

Semi is going to be a better player than Crowder...mark my words. He was at Duke before transferring and the guy can play.

I agree with this. Similar to Draymond, minus the mouth.

[SCBirdman]

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.

But he could play 4 in a small ball lineup.

[redrobot]

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.

But he could play 4 in a small ball lineup.

It will all depend on the matchup. It's not like he's going to figure in as a big part of the offense, so  the concern is on defense. He'll be able to guard a good amount of PF's - but plenty will be able to shoot over him as well.

[KG Living Legend]

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.

 Auto TP, for anything Semi sand Yabu related.

[KG Living Legend]

 They are both big, strong, jacked, athletic monsters that play like polar opposites go figure.

 Yabu may be an unstoppable Force inside and out, while Semi is a perfect Crowder replacement with much more defensive versatility.

[gouki88]

I'm excited to see what Yabu can do, but I think both will be important players down the track. Watching a few games of Yabu's, one of the things that really stands out is his fluidity and athleticism for someone that size. Combining that with his outside jumper and you have a tantalising prospect.

Semi is just a beast. Super strong and super athletic who can shoot and defend well. Need I say more?

[Neurotic Guy]

I don't know what to expect, but I am very curious whether the Cavs would have accepted any of the C's young salaries (Yabu, Zizic, Semi or Nader) to make the deal work and Danny elected to go with Ante.

[Atzar]

I don't know much about Yabu.  He looks athletic for his build, but I'm not willing to say anything else.  Need to see something more than a highlight reel to say anything about his skillset.

I think of Semi more as a 3 than a 4.  He has the physical tools to be a good defender at a few positions.  Strong build, solid length, good athleticism.  I still don't understand what I'm missing with him.  Guys with his size, athleticism, and shooting ability don't drop into the second round for no reason.  I understand that he's already 22, his defense is more "could be" than "is" right now, and he doesn't have much shot-creating ability.  But it's too easy to see him as a useful NBA player for him to drop to 37.  He just has to be the defender that his tools suggest he could be and hit the shots that he hit in college. 

[Bostoncelticsforlife7]

I really really like Yabusele. I've never seen a player so quick and explosive for his size. He's just a really interesting prospect. He is as big as Sully, but has no body fat and is a great athlete, hopefully he won't be too big for today's NBA.

[ThePaintedArea]

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.

I'll take that bet, too.

Strength and leverage to guard bigger players, great laterals and hops, has the instinct to "dance" with the man he's guarding... Big repertoire of finishing moves around the basket is another sign of his remarkable work ethic.

I heard that he had the most efficient pick and pop game in the NCAA last year.

I agree, good chance he becomes a starter in the league.

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.

Several posters are saying he's 270 - I see him listed at 260; ten pounds can make a big difference for knees and feet. I'm not aware of those "signs" you're pointing to.

He's unique, maybe remarkable, maybe he could be unguardable.  I thought that in SL 2016 he was pretty much clueless on defense, and it's not clear to me that he can rebound at the next level - though given his size and footwork he could surely be at least adequate at those things. If he really could back up the 5 he's got a very, very interesting future.

[ThePaintedArea]

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.

Physically similar - yes, but Semi has the better body.

DPOY? Maybe not, but he'll be one of the top defenders in the league.

Lead a team in assists? Maybe not, but like Draymond, he'll have offense being run through him.

Another dissimilarity - Semi is the better shooter.

A similarity - they are both versatile players on both ends.

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.

Good point about his versatility.

Looks like he "can knock down 3's and slide his feet".

[ThePaintedArea]

I don't know what to expect, but I am very curious whether the Cavs would have accepted any of the C's young salaries (Yabu, Zizic, Semi or Nader) to make the deal work and Danny elected to go with Ante.

I think that Ainge made the right choice of young prospect - meaning that, of those four, Zizic has got the least upside, and especially in Boston's movement-oriented offense he's the worst fit.

[KG Living Legend]

I don't know what to expect, but I am very curious whether the Cavs would have accepted any of the C's young salaries (Yabu, Zizic, Semi or Nader) to make the deal work and Danny elected to go with Ante.

 Safe to say they wanted Zizic. He got high praise recently, people think he would have been a top 10 pick this year. I don't think so. Top 15 Sure.