Will Semi "eclipse" Crowder

[rollie mass]

Crowder it is being said has lost his ability to keep up with guards-the reason those two ankle injuries and relegated to 2nd unit

Now we have Ojeleye a big ,strong guy with elite lane agility and a proven 3 pt shooter

A ROOKIE, that has been tasked already with stopping some superstars and up and coming stars and now is looking quite comfortable shooting the three.

The use of "eclipse" has some poetic licence as it could be temporary or minimizing the loss/memory of Crowder .Brad and press are giving glowing reviews to his defense and now he is hitting his threes-was over 40% in college.-He really can shoot
So has his potential and early season raised or altered opinions?.This guy was a 2nd round draft choice and has forced his way into rotation.
He doesn't growl like Crowder but i have not seen a rookie hold his stance and move with that kind of silent athletic intensity for a long time..
Have i exaggerated or is it the FAN in me reacting to some early  tests.
Remember he is a rookie

[Alleyoopster]

Crowder it is being said has lost his ability to keep up with guards-the reason those two ankle injuries and relegated to 2nd unit

Now we have Ojeleye a big ,strong guy with elite lane agility and a proven 3 pt shooter

A ROOKIE, that has been tasked already with stopping some superstars and up and coming stars and now is looking quite comfortable shooting the three.

The use of "eclipse" has some poetic licence as it could be temporary or minimizing the loss/memory of Crowder .Brad and press are giving glowing reviews to his defense and now he is hitting his threes-was over 40% in college.-He really can shoot
So has his potential and early season raised or altered opinions?.This guy was a 2nd round draft choice and has forced his way into rotation.
He doesn't growl like Crowder but i have not seen a rookie hold his stance and move with that kind of silent athletic intensity for a long time..
Have i exaggerated or is it the FAN in me reacting to some early  tests.
Remember he is a rookie

Definitely a lot better than I thought he'd be....wasn't very high on him during Summer League. Could prove to be a better player than Jae. And, I really like Crowder. So, this comparison is encouraging. 

[Androslav]

I don't know if Semi will make it in the league, in a sense to become a 10-year vet and such. He also easily could due to his 3&D potential.
However, I am 100% sure that he moves extremely fast laterally. Check 2:30 - 2:38, that's a hot stepper in my book.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWM6Ewi7MXk

His shot will come along I think (it did last night, hurray!). He seems as a more natural shooter than Crowder, who shot well above expectations last year. Semi will get those same, wide open, two feet on the ground attempts from downtown.

[Green-18]

He definitely could but we may never truly know for as long as he is a Celtic.  Semi is able to guard   many different positions and his 3 point shot is solid.  The major difference is that I don't envision a scenario where Semi is ever playing similar minutes to Jae.  Semi is in an ideal situation to contribute and expand his game at the same time.

Jae deserves a lot of credit for his contributions during his tenure in Boston.  He was thrown into the fire and helped us win right away.  He lost a step last season but that doesn't diminish what he was able to accomplish as a full time starter.  Semi has a higher ceiling for 2 reasons.  #1 is his superior athleticism.  #2 is the fact that he is playing for Brad Steven's as a rookie. 

[Roy H.]

Seven games, 3.0 points, 33.3% FG%, 31.3% 3PT%, worst DRtg of any rotation player.

Crowder was an above-average starter last year. Let’s keep some perspective.

[slamtheking]

If he could GET to Crowder's level, that would be optimistic.  right now I'd just be happy with him having a positive affect when he's on the court. 

[Smitty77]

Seven games, 3.0 points, 33.3% FG%, 31.3% 3PT%, worst DRtg of any rotation player.

Crowder was an above-average starter last year. Let’s keep some perspective.

Jae Crowder has an 8.1 PER THIS YEAR and is shooting 37.5% overall and 28.1% from three and 69% at the FT line!!

Not sure what his defensive rating is, but he is OUT of the starting line-up and plays for a 3-5 team!!!

I will take our Semi and his 31.3% three point shooting and 80% FT shooting.  His overall FG % will come.  He is also 22 and is probably 30% more athletic than Jae at this point!!  And, your DRtg is simply inaccurate and utter crap.  Roy, can you honestly WATCH Semi defend and believe that?  Sometimes you simply cannot trust early season stats.  Trust your eyes!!

Smitty77

[ederson]

The question though  is whether he can eclipse the Celtic J. Crowder. We are looking to replace that Crowder , one of the best contracts in the league and not this seasons JC

[Androslav]

Seven games, 3.0 points, 33.3% FG%, 31.3% 3PT%, worst DRtg of any rotation player.

Crowder was an above-average starter last year. Let’s keep some perspective.

That was Crowdys career peak. That very probably won't ever be topped again. His Mt Everest.
Semi barely played 7 pro games and is 5 years younger with good ankles.
I much rather have Crowder this year but it could change within months/year if Semi proves he is a longterm 3&D specialist. If he is checking LBJ and Durant, with good/acceptable results, he could become something Crowder never did. Even though we fans wished, hoped - but never saw it on the court, especially in the playoffs.
On the other end, he is career 40 fg% and 32% 3pt% for a career as a 4th team option, spot up guy with legs planted. Providing no penetration.

[jambr380]

Seven games, 3.0 points, 33.3% FG%, 31.3% 3PT%, worst DRtg of any rotation player.

Crowder was an above-average starter last year. Let’s keep some perspective.

Jae Crowder has an 8.1 PER THIS YEAR and is shooting 37.5% overall and 28.1% from three and 69% at the FT line!!

Not sure what his defensive rating is, but he is OUT of the starting line-up and plays for a 3-5 team!!!

I will take our Semi and his 31.3% three point shooting and 80% FT shooting.  His overall FG % will come.  He is also 22 and is probably 30% more athletic than Jae at this point!!  And, your DRtg is simply inaccurate and utter crap.  Roy, can you honestly WATCH Semi defend and believe that?  Sometimes you simply cannot trust early season stats.  Trust your eyes!!

Smitty77

Crowder wasn't exactly a world-beater to start his career either. In 2.5 seasons with Dallas to start his career, he averaged 4.6 PPG on 41% shooting overall. That is mediocrity over a much longer span.

I am not here to say Semi will be better than Crowder, but with Brown, Tatum, and Hayward on the team, he won't need to be. He will only need to be a 3&D bench role player and he seems to at least be displaying that eventual potential.

[Green-18]

The question though  is whether he can eclipse the Celtic J. Crowder. We are looking to replace that Crowder , one of the best contracts in the league and not this seasons JC

Agreed.  As I mentioned earlier we will probably never know.  If we find out then that means something went terribly wrong with our team lol. 

Imagine Crowder from 2 years ago as a bench player with this current group. 

[wdleehi]

Does he need to to be a successful player?



Solid D and a trusty outside shot this year and I will be very happy.

[KGBirdBias]

Yes, I do believe Semi will be better than Crowder. He's a better athlete and will eventually be an elite defender.

[SHAQATTACK]

i expect Crowder feels like he has been tossed into the " dung heap"

[cltc5]

I already like him better than crowder