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

[PickNRoll]

Personally I think some people are way to optimistic on Semi. It is possible that he will end up being the steal of the draft and play a major role in the NBA, but I think it is highly unlikely. He had some good moments in the summer league, but he is far from NBA ready. I doubt that he will see much more than some garbage time minutes unless injuries force him into the lineup. We go through this every year, people latch onto some long shot in the hopes that he is the next IT or Draymond, I just don't see it. Don't get me wrong, I'll be ecstatic if Semi is as good as you all hope, but I would be totally shocked. I expect him to be a star, in the G-league.

I thought he was one of the most NBA-ready players I watched in the summer league, on any team.  He has 2 NBA caliber skills right now, 3 point shooting and defense, along with elite athleticism.  I'm buying Semi.

[bellerephon]

I think that puts way to much emphasis on what we see in summer league. Playing defense in the summer league is nothing like playing defense in the NBA, I would not at all say his defense is NBA ready just because he looked good in the summer. The same goes for 3 point shooting, but more so because most summer league teams don't play good team defense or defend the 3 point line very well. Being able to get shots off in the summer means exactly zero when attempting to predict if a guy can do it in the NBA. As I said, I'd be happy to be wrong, but at this point I think Semi's chances of being an impact player are very low.

[max215]

I have high hopes for Semi. I think he'll be a really solid NBA player. I'm less bullish on Yabu.

[nickagneta]

I thought our PF of the future was Jayson Tatum. Sure he is too skinny right now but he has the height, length and inside and midrange game to be a PF. I think going forward Brown will be the starting SG, Hayward the starting SF and Tatum the starting PF.

Yabusele and Ojeleye will be backups as long as they are on this team given the three players I mentioned being in front of them. Ojeleye the backup SF and Yabusele the backup PF.

[bellerephon]

I agree with this, Yabu and Semi are 10th or 11th on the roster right now, maybe lower. I just think people put way to much emphasis on summer league. IMHO training camp will much more important in determining who plays. Summer league will have no impact at all.

[PickNRoll]

I think that puts way to much emphasis on what we see in summer league. Playing defense in the summer league is nothing like playing defense in the NBA, I would not at all say his defense is NBA ready just because he looked good in the summer. The same goes for 3 point shooting, but more so because most summer league teams don't play good team defense or defend the 3 point line very well. Being able to get shots off in the summer means exactly zero when attempting to predict if a guy can do it in the NBA. As I said, I'd be happy to be wrong, but at this point I think Semi's chances of being an impact player are very low.

"I think what he’s doing translates.  His flexibility defensively is going to be enormous. I think that he will compete to be one of our better defenders right out the gate.”

Brad Stevens on Semi Ojeleye right after summer league.

[Kuberski33]

It's common practice on CelticsBlog to put new guys in the Hall of Fame before they've had a chance to prove anything and then demand that they be cut immediately following the first game in which they play poorly.

I think the plan for both is they'll need to earn their way into the rotation and whether either does, no one really knows.  Yabusele seems to have the higher ceiling based on his draft position - figure he'd have gone a bit higher in this past draft since he was stashed 2 years ago - so the answer for him is Yes - he definitely has the potential. 

It's likely to be a long time before we find out whether he's reached it but there's a spot in the rotation available for him this season if he can play well enough to earn one.  That said I don't see him getting a lot of minutes this season. 

I like Semi's potential as much as the next guy but he's another one I don't expect much from in the short term.

[Celtics4ever]

It's common practice on CelticsBlog to put new guys in the Hall of Fame before they've had a chance to prove anything and then demand that they be cut immediately following the first game in which they play poorly.

This one of the most honest things I ever read on the blog, TP.

[kozlodoev]

I think that puts way to much emphasis on what we see in summer league. Playing defense in the summer league is nothing like playing defense in the NBA, I would not at all say his defense is NBA ready just because he looked good in the summer. The same goes for 3 point shooting, but more so because most summer league teams don't play good team defense or defend the 3 point line very well. Being able to get shots off in the summer means exactly zero when attempting to predict if a guy can do it in the NBA. As I said, I'd be happy to be wrong, but at this point I think Semi's chances of being an impact player are very low.

"I think what he’s doing translates.  His flexibility defensively is going to be enormous. I think that he will compete to be one of our better defenders right out the gate.”

Brad Stevens on Semi Ojeleye right after summer league.

Glowing endorsement right there. He should get his participation trophy right away.

[PhoSita]

I'm not getting my hopes up that either is more than a fringe NBA player until I see them contribute in actual NBA games.

[hwangjini_1]

I'm not getting my hopes up that either is more than a fringe NBA player until I see them contribute in actual NBA games.

what??? no premature exclamations of greatness for the baby celtics? what's the fun in that??

 

[CelticsElite]

I'm not getting my hopes up that either is more than a fringe NBA player until I see them contribute in actual NBA games.

this is a great point. I keep seeing people say semi was a steal even though some mocks had him being drafted in the 40s. And he is a 2nd rounder at the end of the day. What percentage of 2nd rounders end up being players? I think it's less than 50%

[Alleyoopster]

It's common practice on CelticsBlog to put new guys in the Hall of Fame before they've had a chance to prove anything and then demand that they be cut immediately following the first game in which they play poorly.

This one of the most honest things I ever read on the blog, TP.

Ditto...

Probably one of the most accurate statements as well.

They may both prove to be okay, but they don't fill the need for a big. 

[PhoSita]

I'm not getting my hopes up that either is more than a fringe NBA player until I see them contribute in actual NBA games.

what??? no premature exclamations of greatness for the baby celtics? what's the fun in that??

 

I want to see another Draymond in ever 6'7''-6'9'' guy who is built like a linebacker and appears to have a three-point shot, too, but a lot of players with that profile just end up lacking the shooting consistency and the lateral quickness to hit open threes or defend at the NBA level.

I totally think it's worth taking chances on players like that in the draft, though.

The future of the NBA will feature a lot of players like Draymond / Marion / Diaw etc.

[PhoSita]

I'm not getting my hopes up that either is more than a fringe NBA player until I see them contribute in actual NBA games.

this is a great point. I keep seeing people say semi was a steal even though some mocks had him being drafted in the 40s. And he is a 2nd rounder at the end of the day. What percentage of 2nd rounders end up being players? I think it's less than 50%

When was the last time a 2nd rounder drafted by Ainge ended up contributing to the Celtics?


I think the answer is either E'Twaun Moore or Ryan Gomes.


Oof.

Why do we get attached to 2nd round picks at all?