Semi and defense

[rollie mass]

This is a legit question-I thought i noticed a change in Semi lately a little more aggression on box outs and offensive boards.A flat out" Marcus Dive",the drive on Ibaka.
How good is Semi on defense?-He is a rookie!,He gets considerable time including 4th quarters!He plays top NBA talent and switches fluidly on multiple positions!The Celtics have a number one defense!
Is it fair to say as a rookie that one would be tentative and foul prone and hold back using his physical strength and throwing himself around?A la Marcus Smart
Defense wins games and Semi has been an integral part of Celtics defense!
Did the four game road trip flip a switch with Semi as well a Jayson?They have played together since Hoops House, could Jayson be inspiring Semi or has coaching staff got him playing more physical for playoffs? Having to guard stars, as a rookie the refs are going to call against Semi but playoff time allows more physicality.
Obviously, there is little to be said for his offense but his defense must be special enough to override that and hopefully his shooting returns with some time and confidence.
Why does Brad keep using  him in critical games and in 4th quarters.He switches well against all positions .
 I quoted what Brad stated early in season but it only inspired derision
This is a defensive discussion-don't belabor the obvious offensive weaknesses
 

[RockinRyA]

Its not like Brad has a better option. We all know Brad doesnt like to play his guys too many minutes. With all the injuries we have, if he doesnt play Ojeleye, he will end up burning guys out. His only other option is to play Nader.

[Chris22]

I am more excited by Semi finally making a couple of shots.

[Surferdad]

The injury situation gave him a chance, and he took advantage.  I like his progress.

Brad said quite a while ago that he has NBA-level defensive talent.  Why was that derisive?

[rollie mass]

The injury situation gave him a chance, and he took advantage.  I like his progress.

Brad said quite a while ago that he has NBA-level defensive talent.  Why was that derisive?

The" bash brothers" crew----i once stated that Semi may eclipse Crowder and used Brads quote that he was near an elite defensive player.
The shot will fall at some point-he has been a good shooter
I think his major handicap is his wingspan and that hurts his rebounding ,his vertical tested elite  so maybe it is timing positioning and using his strength..

[SHAQATTACK]

Semi Tuff


has a gods body ,  needs the Draymond Green eye of the tiger attitude .

[Big333223]

I'm not sure if he's a good defender or not but I remember during the Charlotte game last month, there was a play wee Semi got switched onto Dwight Howard in the post and was able to dig in and not get pushed back by Dwight. That's the thing with Semi, he's strong enough to hold his own in the post against bigger guys but his feet are quick enough to switch onto guards and not get roasted.

As I said, I don't know if he's good on defense or not but I know that, physically, he has a rare versatility and I think that's what Stevens loves about him.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Semi truck.  Love this dude's defensive potential and ability to give us meaningful mins.  TP rollie, shemmy, and tar.

[tonydelk]

I will be more excited to see what Semi looks like next year.  He needs to work on his handles and his shot a tremendous amount.  I'd like to see what an NBA offseason can do for him.  It's not like he needs to be in a weight room.  He needs to be on a court developing there.  I think he will make a big jump going in to year two.

[Celtics4ever]

I think his confidence is what is hurting him on offense.   This guy literally has all the physical tools.  Some guys with confidence issues never find their shot but if he does look out.

[Alleyoopster]

I will be more excited to see what Semi looks like next year.  He needs to work on his handles and his shot a tremendous amount.  I'd like to see what an NBA offseason can do for him.  It's not like he needs to be in a weight room.  He needs to be on a court developing there.  I think he will make a big jump going in to year two.

Never thought one could improve on dribbling the ball all that much. But watching Terry, Marcus Smart and Jaylen this year has convinced me otherwise. If they can make the jump Semi might be able to as well.

[bellerephon]

I'm not really all that high on Semi. He's a good defender, not a great one. That's impressive for a second round draft pick, but he's not an all league defender. On offense he's terrible, he might improve, but I haven't seen any sign that he has so far. Right now his ceiling is end of bench defensive specialist. He's good to have on the roster as a guy who can step in and defend when a rotation guy goes down, but I don't see any reason to think he will be a regular. If the team is healthy he simply won't get any playing time.

[tstorey_97]

Semi is going to be just like Rozier. Year after next someone's gonna get knocked out and Semi's going to start 12 games and crush it.

His offense has a ways to go because he was playing freaking Louisiana Monroe and Arkansas Pine Bluff and Northern Iowa before taking on the Shockers and Temple and stuff last year remember? He was a Mustang, not a Semi...yet.

Shooting stats since January 1, 2018

1/6 through 1/31  10 games played

6 for 16 (1.6 FGA per game on 8.8 MPG)

2/2 through 2/28  9 games played

6 for 25 (2.78 FGA per game on 18.4 MPG)

3/5 through 3/31   12 games played

10 for 28  (2.33 FGA per game on 17.5 MPG)

Ok, Semi is not a chucker we got that. In the above 31 games with minutes logged Semi didn't bother to take a shot in 10 of them. This is not the Mustang who dropped 16.9 ppg with 7 rebounds against NCAA opponents after dumping that also ran hoops program at Duke.

He hit three shots in a row the other night and I'm thinking he will be just fine in 2020.

BTW...Semi is 6 for 8 in two games against the Jazz.

 

[ChillyWilly]

Semi is going to be just like Rozier. Year after next someone's gonna get knocked out and Semi's going to start 12 games and crush it.

His offense has a ways to go because he was playing freaking Louisiana Monroe and Arkansas Pine Bluff and Northern Iowa before taking on the Shockers and Temple and stuff last year remember? He was a Mustang, not a Semi...yet.

Shooting stats since January 1, 2018

1/6 through 1/31  10 games played

6 for 16 (1.6 FGA per game on 8.8 MPG)

2/2 through 2/28  9 games played

6 for 25 (2.78 FGA per game on 18.4 MPG)

3/5 through 3/31   12 games played

10 for 28  (2.33 FGA per game on 17.5 MPG)

Ok, Semi is not a chucker we got that. In the above 31 games with minutes logged Semi didn't bother to take a shot in 10 of them. This is not the Mustang who dropped 16.9 ppg with 7 rebounds against NCAA opponents after dumping that also ran hoops program at Duke.

He hit three shots in a row the other night and I'm thinking he will be just fine in 2020.

 

We'd be killing him if he was a chucker!!

That's what I like about Semi, he understands his roll and his strengths. I also think this is why of all the young guys Brad could be calling on Semi gets a large portion of it. He can be trusted on D and won't waste possessions trying to get his on the O.

He's raw on the offensive end. His stroke isn't bad looking but he looks unsure of putting the ball on the floor. I did notice one thing he's gotten much better at and almost mimicking Baynes is sealing his guy in the lane. I've never seen a Celtics player seal his guy to open up driving space like Baynes does.

[rollie mass]

It is now becoming obvious Semi is ratcheting up his game at end of season with Celts position locked in and playing some tanking teams.
I think part of his being tentative was guarding high profile NBA vets and stars and not wanting to draw fouls-his shooting followed suit hesitant and for an awful percentage including foul shots but he is a good 3 point shooter  and that would show in practice
.Semi is after all a rookie but his confidence needed this end of season situation  and just at the right time-
.it looks like the game is slowing down for him ,he can use his aggression and as his confidence returns so will his shooting..
Semi will get handed some difficult match ups but this is playoff basketball and the refs allow a more physical game which favors Semi.
These end of season games may be just the offensive boost he needs and semi is on a very team friendly four year contract