Semi Ojeleye

by **Rmbone** Fri Jun 23, 2017 12:28 am

I had moved this guy up to around the 10th best prospect in the draft a month ago, then moved him down to 17th best in the draft after I heard his defense against dribble drives was bottom 9%tile in D1. He crushed the NBA Combine, might be the best athlete in the draft. 240 lbs of chiseled muscle, like 5% body fat. Also 40" max vert reach, and one of the 3 or 4 fastest agility times at the Combine for ALL players.

Amazing shooter, 42% from 3, quick, confident, smooth release. Just a great jump shooter overall. Very much in the Jae Crowder mold. I believe Crowder also transferred colleges like Semi transfered from Duke to play under Larry Brown at SMU.

Extremely high intangibles, intelligence, work ethic. Volunteers at a homeless shelter in his spare time.

His defensive metrics aren't great, and he didn't get a lot of steals or blocks, but with his work ethic and under Brad Stevens he should really blossom on that end, because his quickness, agility, and strength are elite.

Jae Crowder was a 2nd round pick nobody before he came to Boston. Semi can be somewhat like Jae Crowder, and Jae Crowder was quite arguably our most valuable player this past year when you factor in defense and +/-.

Between Semi and Ojeleye (and Crowder and Jaylen), I really don't think we should be in a big panic to sign Gordon Hayward. SF is flat out our best position on the roster.

19ppg, over 6fta/game, 62% true shooting %, extremely efficient.

by **NYCelt** Fri Jun 23, 2017 12:33 am

Ojeleye was a small, 6' 7" PF. He can shoot. He'll go to the G League to see if he can become a SF. Might be a sleeper.

Tatum is the guy at SF from here forward. Look for him on the floor with the first five fast.

Crowder is probably the odd man out. Tatum with Brown behind him coming off the bench could be something.

We're probably shopping for bigs at this point.

by **gyso** Fri Jun 23, 2017 12:39 am

Least body fat in the NBA Combine. Mini-Yabusele?

by **gyso** Fri Jun 23, 2017 12:41 am

NYCelt wrote:Ojeleye was a small, 6' 7" PF. He can shoot. He'll go to the G League to see if he can become a SF. Might be a sleeper.

Tatum is the guy at SF from here forward. Look for him on the floor with the first five fast.

Crowder is probably the odd man out. Tatum with Brown behind him coming off the bench could be something.

We're probably shopping for bigs at this point.

We keep Olynyk at almost all costs and look for a free agent big. Griffin is my guess.

by **NYCelt** Fri Jun 23, 2017 12:42 am

gyso wrote:Least body fat in the NBA Combine. Mini-Yabusele?

Don't know, but you just reminded me I need to do an extra mile tomorrow after the chicken wings tonight. Least body fat, huh? I must've gotten his order of wings.

by **Rmbone** Fri Jun 23, 2017 12:48 am

NYCelt wrote:Ojeleye was a small, 6' 7" PF. He can shoot. He'll go to the G League to see if he can become a SF. Might be a sleeper.

Tatum is the guy at SF from here forward. Look for him on the floor with the first five fast.

Crowder is probably the odd man out. Tatum with Brown behind him coming off the bench could be something.

We're probably shopping for bigs at this point.

Ojeleye can play SF too. And Tatum won't likely be starting over Crowder for a while. Too much of a defensive liability.
The Celtics were better with Crowder on the court than with any single other player, by a long shot. IT distant second.

If Tatum ends up starting any time soon, it will be because Crowder traded or Crowder starting next to Tatum somehow.

by **Rmbone** Fri Jun 23, 2017 12:49 am

As of right now, Ojeleye is a distinctly better 3 point shooter than Tatum, and he's about 30 lbs stronger. Defensively they're extremely close, but Semi might have more upside because of his superior athleticism. Interestingly, they're both Duke products.

by **NYCelt** Fri Jun 23, 2017 12:54 am

Rmbone wrote:
NYCelt wrote:Ojeleye was a small, 6' 7" PF. He can shoot. He'll go to the G League to see if he can become a SF. Might be a sleeper.

Tatum is the guy at SF from here forward. Look for him on the floor with the first five fast.

Crowder is probably the odd man out. Tatum with Brown behind him coming off the bench could be something.

We're probably shopping for bigs at this point.

Ojeleye can play SF too. And Tatum won't likely be starting over Crowder for a while. Too much of a defensive liability.
The Celtics were better with Crowder on the court than with any single other player, by a long shot. IT distant second.

If Tatum ends up starting any time soon, it will be because Crowder traded or Crowder starting next to Tatum somehow.

My guess is Crowder is trade bait at this point. With Tatum aboard his future here is limited. Looks like Bradley stays, and he may have been the most attractive trading chip. Crowder has built his reputation as a hard working lunch-bucket type. Good defensively, and has some appeal around the league. Might be a good addition in building a deal package.

by **Rmbone** Fri Jun 23, 2017 12:56 am

NYCelt wrote:
Rmbone wrote:
NYCelt wrote:Ojeleye was a small, 6' 7" PF. He can shoot. He'll go to the G League to see if he can become a SF. Might be a sleeper.

Tatum is the guy at SF from here forward. Look for him on the floor with the first five fast.

Crowder is probably the odd man out. Tatum with Brown behind him coming off the bench could be something.

We're probably shopping for bigs at this point.

Ojeleye can play SF too. And Tatum won't likely be starting over Crowder for a while. Too much of a defensive liability.
The Celtics were better with Crowder on the court than with any single other player, by a long shot. IT distant second.

If Tatum ends up starting any time soon, it will be because Crowder traded or Crowder starting next to Tatum somehow.

My guess is Crowder is trade bait at this point. With Tatum aboard his future here is limited. Looks like Bradley stays, and he may have been the most attractive trading chip. Crowder has built his reputation as a hard working lunch-bucket type. Good defensively, and has some appeal around the league. Might be a good addition in building a deal package.

You forgot the part where Crowder shot 40% from 3 and has improved every year. He's also on a very cheap contract. Most/all the guys you think are better than him actually aren't, including Hayward (garbage defense) Paul George (defense plummeted this year) Melo (same, defense), and rookie Tatum (defense).

Crowder is much more valuable and impactful than Avery. Better 3 point shooter now, better defender, also plays a more valuable position. I can't wait to upgrade from Bradley, whose lack of impact really shows up in the advanced metrics.

by **Rmbone** Fri Jun 23, 2017 1:10 am

The great thing about drafting Tatum and Semi is that Brad now has the option of playing Jaylen at shooting guard full time if he wanted to. I'd really like to see Jaylen start at SG, where he shot 40% from 3 in 20ish games as a starter.

by **gyso** Fri Jun 23, 2017 1:22 am

Rmbone wrote:The great thing about drafting Tatum and Semi is that Brad now has the option of playing Jaylen at shooting guard full time if he wanted to. I'd really like to see Jaylen start at SG, where he shot 40% from 3 in 20ish games as a starter.

With Thomas, Smart and Rozier sharing minutes at the one, and only Bradley at the two, there may be minutes for Brown at the two. I guess that it will be off the bench and not so much as a starter.

With Crowder, Tatum and Brown sharing minutes at the 3, Crowder plays some small ball 4 and Brown plays some big ball 2.

Brad has some nice toys at the 1, 2 and 3.

by **Rmbone** Fri Jun 23, 2017 1:32 am

gyso wrote:
Rmbone wrote:The great thing about drafting Tatum and Semi is that Brad now has the option of playing Jaylen at shooting guard full time if he wanted to. I'd really like to see Jaylen start at SG, where he shot 40% from 3 in 20ish games as a starter.

With Thomas, Smart and Rozier sharing minutes at the one, and only Bradley at the two, there may be minutes for Brown at the two. I guess that it will be off the bench and not so much as a starter.

With Crowder, Tatum and Brown sharing minutes at the 3, Crowder plays some small ball 4 and Brown plays some big ball 2.

Brad has some nice toys at the 1, 2 and 3.

And Semi being an inch taller and more athletic than Crowder should get him some opportunities at PF. I like him more than Yabusele. Much better shooter, more athletic, more proven too. Same height, only edge Yabusele has is strength/weight.

by **Rmbone** Fri Jun 23, 2017 1:34 am

Another thing about Ojeleye is he's one of the best prospects in this draft for having a decent chance to at least put a body on LeBron. Physically and Athletically, he's basically a shorter LeBron. And that has a lot of value in the East. Tatum is years away from being an even passable defender against LeBron.

by **red16russ11** Fri Jun 23, 2017 1:37 am

This probably spells the end of Nader,
It Thiess playing in summer league?

by **gyso** Fri Jun 23, 2017 1:48 am

red16russ11 wrote:This probably spells the end of Nader,
It Thiess playing in summer league?

Not so sure on the first. Loyalty counts, I hope, with Danny.

Pretty much for sure on the second.

by **Rmbone** Fri Jun 23, 2017 4:46 am

by **fierce** Fri Jun 23, 2017 6:47 am

gyso wrote:
NYCelt wrote:Ojeleye was a small, 6' 7" PF. He can shoot. He'll go to the G League to see if he can become a SF. Might be a sleeper.

Tatum is the guy at SF from here forward. Look for him on the floor with the first five fast.

Crowder is probably the odd man out. Tatum with Brown behind him coming off the bench could be something.

We're probably shopping for bigs at this point.

We keep Olynyk at almost all costs and look for a free agent big. Griffin is my guess.

It's now a must that the Celts trade Bradley or Crowder for the Celts to have a chance at keeping Olynyk and still be able to sign a max player like Griffin.

Reason for that is the salary cap went down from the initial projection of 101m to 99m.

Right now the Celts still have work to do to clear cap space for a max free-agent.

Here's what Ainge said:

Bill Doyle: Danny Ainge said the lower salary cap will “sting.” He said, “We’re in foul trouble a little bit, but we’ll be back.” 6 hours ago – via Twitter BillDoyle15
Danny Ainge, Salary cap, Boston Celtics

by **NYCelt** Fri Jun 23, 2017 7:50 am

fierce wrote:
gyso wrote:
NYCelt wrote:Ojeleye was a small, 6' 7" PF. He can shoot. He'll go to the G League to see if he can become a SF. Might be a sleeper.

Tatum is the guy at SF from here forward. Look for him on the floor with the first five fast.

Crowder is probably the odd man out. Tatum with Brown behind him coming off the bench could be something.

We're probably shopping for bigs at this point.

We keep Olynyk at almost all costs and look for a free agent big. Griffin is my guess.

It's now a must that the Celts trade Bradley or Crowder for the Celts to have a chance at keeping Olynyk and still be able to sign a max player like Griffin.

Reason for that is the salary cap went down from the initial projection of 101m to 99m.

Right now the Celts still have work to do to clear cap space for a max free-agent.

Here's what Ainge said:

Bill Doyle: Danny Ainge said the lower salary cap will “sting.” He said, “We’re in foul trouble a little bit, but we’ll be back.” 6 hours ago – via Twitter BillDoyle15
Danny Ainge, Salary cap, Boston Celtics

fierce,

I think you're right, but among the two it's Crowder that goes. We didn't take Tatum to have him sit or be a reserve for long, if at all. Interesting aside; if not for the 76ers being desperate to sign a point-guard, Tatum would have been the #1 pick in the draft.

Since we had no desire to take Fultz or Ball, two of the best combo guard possibilities in a long time, one would guess we keep Bradley, along with Thomas, and most likely Smart and Rozier.

Ojeleye is probably a really good selection for #37, but will need to develop several aspects of his game and may be G-League bound for most of 2017-2018. He could bounce back and forth to Boston if he shows he can adjust to a combo forward type role. He was strictly a PF at SMU, and wasn't going to get on the floor for Duke before transferring, so he's got some work to do. He's physically gifted, but too short to guard NBA PFs and doesn't have that quick first step he'll need to handle NBA wings. At least not yet. Overall he's not much of a defender, so I'm sure they'll be working on that. Smart kid, however, which will help him in this transition. He probably does spell the end for Nader and Yabusele, but there's probably not room for him on the roster due to his need to learn new skills, roster numbers at each position, and the need to have roster spots for bigs.

I think you're also on the money when it comes to retaining Olynyk while looking for a FA big. On the likely chance that Johnson and Zeller are going, we've got some holes to fill. I expect the rest of the summer to be a search for bigs.

Regards

by **kdp59** Fri Jun 23, 2017 7:55 am

Interesting that some here think Semi will make the roster over Yabusele.

is that because of Yabusele's injury or because you think Semi is the better player?

Since Yabusele was drafted at #16 last year, one would think HE is the better player.

by **dboss** Fri Jun 23, 2017 8:33 am

Rmbone wrote:I had moved this guy up to around the 10th best prospect in the draft a month ago, then moved him down to 17th best in the draft after I heard his defense against dribble drives was bottom 9%tile in D1. He crushed the NBA Combine, might be the best athlete in the draft. 240 lbs of chiseled muscle, like 5% body fat. Also 40" max vert reach, and one of the 3 or 4 fastest agility times at the Combine for ALL players.

Amazing shooter, 42% from 3, quick, confident, smooth release. Just a great jump shooter overall. Very much in the Jae Crowder mold. I believe Crowder also transferred colleges like Semi transfered from Duke to play under Larry Brown at SMU.

Extremely high intangibles, intelligence, work ethic. Volunteers at a homeless shelter in his spare time.

His defensive metrics aren't great, and he didn't get a lot of steals or blocks, but with his work ethic and under Brad Stevens he should really blossom on that end, because his quickness, agility, and strength are elite.

Jae Crowder was a 2nd round pick nobody before he came to Boston. Semi can be somewhat like Jae Crowder, and Jae Crowder was quite arguably our most valuable player this past year when you factor in defense and +/-.

Between Semi and Ojeleye (and Crowder and Jaylen), I really don't think we should be in a big panic to sign Gordon Hayward. SF is flat out our best position on the roster.

19ppg, over 6fta/game, 62% true shooting %, extremely efficient.

Kept waiting for his name to be called in the 1st round.

Steal of the draft. I am extremely happy with this selection.

dboss

by **worcester** Fri Jun 23, 2017 8:57 am

What the hell is the G-League?

by **kdp59** Fri Jun 23, 2017 9:01 am

Gatorade League

they bought the naming rights to the D-league.

increasing salary and having joint type contracts on some players to keep more players in the US for a better minor league system.

If I remember right, NBA teams will be allowed to have 2 joint type contracts with players. adding up to 60 players with better salary, I suppose.

by **dboss** Fri Jun 23, 2017 9:07 am

kdp59 wrote:Interesting that some here think Semi will make the roster over Yabusele.

is that because of Yabusele's injury or because you think Semi is the better player?

Since Yabusele was drafted at #16 last year, one would think HE is the better player.

I think that both of them will make the roster.

by **bobheckler** Fri Jun 23, 2017 9:16 am

Rmbone,

First of all, thanks for pulling together the info on this kid on short notice.

I listened to Danny's presser last night. He said whether Yabusele is with the team "is still under discussion". Zizic is a lock, almost for sure, with our dearth of bigs.

Which brings me my rant. I don't care how freaking good this kid, unless he IS the second coming of LeBron, we need bigs! Danny, at this kid's #37, passed on Thomas Bryant of Indiana and Hartenstein of Germany. They might not be what we'd like, but they would be 2nd rounders and that provides contract flexibility and value, and we desperately need bigs.

Horford
Zizic
Kelly (maybe)
Mickey (more of a swing than a big)

That's going to be all of our bigs because we will not be resigning Amir or Jonas, whose combined cap holds would be >$15.5M.

Zeller's $8M becomes guaranteed on 7/2. That means Danny has 9 days to make a deal that includes Zeller (who can be kept by the new team, or waived to clear cap space). If that doesn't happen then Zeller has to be guaranteed or left go for nothing. I'm happy to just let him go, but Danny doesn't like, nor want, to do that. He'll want to squeeze him into a deal. He could be used, for example, as part of a Paul George deal. Indy waives Zeller and saves $8M in salary. It would take more than Zeller but $8M is a nice chunk towards George's $18M and it doesn't cost us anybody or anything that we really want to keep.

I have no idea what Danny is thinking/planning. I said that, clearly, on the Draft Prediction thread but we need more than Al Horford, 20 year old rookie Ante Zizic and Kelly Olynyk (IF he is back).

bob

.

by **KyleCleric** Fri Jun 23, 2017 9:31 am

Bird and Allen probably going to two-way contracts, 16th and 17th roster spots.

Yesterday looks to me like them manufacturing depth at the wing positions in case of a trade involving Crowder and/or Bradley.

by Sponsored content

Semi Ojeleye

Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye

Re: Semi Ojeleye