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

[SHAQATTACK]

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?

Kinda like Charlie Brown and Sally holding the football ........we always hope 

[nickagneta]

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?

Big Baby. His first three years he was a rotational player. I don't think Moore ever broke into the rotation under Doc. Gomes was drafted a few years before Davis.

[GratefulCs]

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?

Big Baby. His first three years he was a rotational player. I don't think Moore ever broke into the rotation under Doc. Gomes was drafted a few years before Davis.

also we haven't really had roster spots for 2nd rounders the past few years

[Sophomore]

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?

Big Baby. His first three years he was a rotational player. I don't think Moore ever broke into the rotation under Doc. Gomes was drafted a few years before Davis.

also we haven't really had roster spots for 2nd rounders the past few years

Something like Jae Crowder's production from Semi seems possible a few years from now, once he learns NBA defense. Anything but guaranteed, but not crazy to hope..

And for what it's worth, Jae was also drafted in the second round.

[Emmette Bryant]

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?

Hey we're Celtics fans, we love these guys despite their flaws. 

I think that the last serious contribution from a Celtic rookie was Leon Powe in game 2 of the 2008 NBA finals. One great game in the NBA finals and Leon is immortal.

[Celtics4ever]

Something like Jae Crowder's production from Semi seems possible a few years from now, once he learns NBA defense. Anything but guaranteed, but not crazy to hope..

He is a way better athlete than Crowder but Jae was a lot stronger than people realize.

[ThePaintedArea]

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.

Elsewhere he mentioned Semi's strength and leverage, enabling him to guard bigger players. His D is pretty special for a rookie: great laterals, stays vertical, great balance, tracks his man like a tango dancer. Speed to check smaller guys, strength to check bigger ones.

Look at the player, not the draft number.

[ThePaintedArea]

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.

Would just add his finishing around the rim; and he'll get to the line.

Obviously his excellent FT shooting translates.

[ThePaintedArea]

Something like Jae Crowder's production from Semi seems possible a few years from now, once he learns NBA defense. Anything but guaranteed, but not crazy to hope..

He is a way better athlete than Crowder but Jae was a lot stronger than people realize.

The loss of Crowder stung - but Semi might be better.

[konkmv]

let's hope Tatum becomes a Durant stretch four first

[GreenEnvy]

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.

If you can defend in this league and knock down open shots, you'll find PT in the NBA. I believe Semi can defend. I believe he will be able to knock down open shots. He's athletic and a good FT shooter.

He will earn minutes this season IMO.

[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?

Big Baby. His first three years he was a rotational player. I don't think Moore ever broke into the rotation under Doc. Gomes was drafted a few years before Davis.

That's right. I forgot about Glen Davis.

Anyway, Ainge is batting way less than .500 on recent second round picks. Which is interesting because the team was rebuilding for a couple years.

Powe was undrafted.

[byennie]

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?

Big Baby. His first three years he was a rotational player. I don't think Moore ever broke into the rotation under Doc. Gomes was drafted a few years before Davis.

That's right. I forgot about Glen Davis.

Anyway, Ainge is batting way less than .500 on recent second round picks. Which is interesting because the team was rebuilding for a couple years.

Powe was undrafted.

Powe was selected 49th overall in 2006 (trade via Denver).

"Under 50%" is an understatment. Try 10%. Most years the entire 2nd round produces maybe 1-3 NBA starters, and a star player a couple times a decade. On top of that, probably half of those good players are in the 31-40 picks, i.e. practically a 1st rounder, a Euro stash, etc.

If Semi develops into even a rotation guy on a good team, that would be fantastic, but don't hold your breath. Total crap shoot at this point.

[Granath]

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%

And some mock drafts had him in the low 20s. So he averaged out about where he should have been drafted. And you're right, the odds are against him.

But Semi is a weird case. He didn't play under the greatest college basketball coach ever - Mike K. That's an incredible red flag because Coach K doesn't waste talent and Semi was supposed to be top recruit - #38 in his class. It boosted Duke's haul that year. But Semi stays on the bench and leaves after two years. He goes to SMU and redshirts for a full year instead of half a season.

Those are massive red flags.

But he re-works his game - and by all reports he really works hard - learns to shoot the 3 and plays for SMU, who just lost coach Larry Brown. After a 3-3 start, that team went 25-1. Semi seemed to get better as the year went on and carried that team. 19 points, 7 boards for the year but with some great shooting percentages - 49% from the field, 42% from 3 point land and 62% eFG (good for 20th in the NBA).

Then he goes to the combine and blows the doors off. 40.5 vertical (5th). 8th in sprinting. 5th in agility. Scores in double digits on both 5-on-5 games. If this were the NFL he'd have been a 1st round pick on that alone. But conversely, Semi has classic "tweener" size. That, and his age, work against him and he falls in the draft to #37.

As I said, Semi is a bit of an odd case. I think this is a kid who got by on natural ability in high school and couldn't make the transition at Duke. He was away from the game for a year and I think he realized he really missed it. Sometimes, when you find that you've lost something you loved and you work to get it back you're more determined than ever to not lose it again. That may have happened with Semi. So he put in the hard work to re-shape his body and his game and it showed at SMU and the combine. He has the work ethic and the natural athleticism to play in the NBA.

There's a better-than-average chance that he becomes one of those stories a few years down the road of "why didn't this guy get selected sooner"? When it comes to Semi and Yabusele, there are two dogs there with one bone. It will be interesting to see which one comes away with it. 

[Celtics4ever]

But Semi is a weird case. He didn't play under the greatest college basketball coach ever - Mike K. That's an incredible red flag because Coach K doesn't waste talent and Semi was supposed to be top recruit - #38 in his class. It boosted Duke's haul that year. But Semi stays on the bench and leaves after two years. He goes to SMU and redshirts for a full year instead of half a season.

The best college coach is John Wooden.   Coach K is very good but I suggest you look up Wooden and Coach K.  Geno Auriemma is almost as good on he woman's side as Wooden.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Division_I_Men's_Basketball_Tournament_records#Multiple_championship_coaches


Larry Brown was a NBA coach so that bodes well for Semi.  I thought he was very passive the first game of summer league.  I think he can make the team but I don't think that he will come in and dominate.

Then he goes to the combine and blows the doors off. 40.5 vertical (5th). 8th in sprinting. 5th in agility.

His athletic ability is impressive.

Semi has classic "tweener" size. That, and his age, work against him and he falls in the draft to #37.

Tweener is right.   But every year there are guys who fall through the cracks.   So did Draymond Green, IT.   It happens,  I do not think that  Semi will be as good as those guys but I hope he proves me wrong.