Is Semi Ojeyele the Celtics' secret weapon vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks?

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Is Semi Ojeyele the Celtics' secret weapon vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks?



By Darren Hartwell April 24, 2019 2:20 PM




The Milwaukee Bucks boast an NBA MVP favorite in star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. But the Boston Celtics might have his kryptonite in ... a guy who played 29 seconds in the first round?

That's the case NBC Sports' Tom Haberstroh makes in his latest "Big Number" segment: that Semi Ojeleye, of all people, could be the key to containing the Greek Freak.

Here's the evidence: The Bucks have a 109.6 offensive rating over the least two seasons. But on possessions when Ojeleye guards Antetokounmpo, that number drops to 104.3.


As Haberstroh points out, Ojeleye hasn't exactly kept Antetokounmpo off the score sheet. The superstar forward has shot 59 percent from the floor while averaging 34 points per 100 possessions when defended by Ojeleye over the last two seasons.

But Milwaukee's offense still suffers as a whole when Ojeleye locks up Giannis, which is why head coach Brad Stevens has started the little-used swingman in five of Boston's last six matchups with the Bucks.

Stevens has raved about Ojeleye's defensive prowess, so with Marcus Smart sidelined, we could be seeing a lot more muscle on the court during Round 2.



bob
MY NOTE:  Al Horford and Semi are our two best defenders on Giannis.  Horford has the length, and still has enough foot speed, to stay in front of Giannis while still staying close enough to challenge his shots.  Semi lacks the length but he is built like a brick shithouse and is strong as an ox.  Giannis can shoot over him but he isn't going to post him up easily.


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I’m expecting big minutes for him from Semi, he can cover Giannis as well as anyone on this roster, nobody is going to stop him, hopefully we can limit all the others.

Semi is much quicker than AH. But he cannot stop the freak.

Ah cannot check the freak. As a matter of fact no one in the NBA has managed to check the Freak.

Interesting. Didn't remember Semih starting against the Bucks.

He started in game last year during the playoff.

I do not recall him starting multiple times

I'd like to see Semi on Giannis a lot; if he plays outstanding defense, he won't need much offense to be a net plus. Hawk

Worth a try.

Semi Ojeyele came off the bench in Games 1-4 in last seasons Round 1 matchup vs. the Bucks.  He started in games 5, 6 and 7.

His minutes, in order, games 1 - 7:  
13:49, 1:00, 12:51, 17:05, 31:04, 21:39 and 29:20.  

Giannis Antetokounmpo points scored per game, in order, games 1-7:
35, 30, 19, 27, 16, 31 and 22

Results for Boston, in order, games 1 - 7:
W, W, L, L, W, L and W

BTW, Semi scored a total of 15 points in the entire series.

I did not research the results of the regular season games earlier this season, but it seems like starting Semi against the Bucks during the playoffs contributed to team success later in the series.

gyso