Might we have a Semi-charmed kind of life?

[NomarsFool]

Obviously it was one game. Certainly with a boost from that career game, his 3P% is now up to 38%, which is pretty darn good from what you'd expect from a 3&D guy. I would also add that Semi's offensive game other than 3PT shooting has been less useless this season than it has been earlier in his career. Meaning, he has shown the ability, once in awhile, to score some buckets driving or cutting to the basket.

Is he getting good enough to be a rotation player? This is his 4th season, so the Celtics will have a decision to make at the end of this year (or more accurately, Semi will have a decision to make at the end of this year as he will be a UFA. The Celtics do have his Bird rights, so that could make it a little easier to sign him - if they want to go that route.

From a roster construction perspective, it does seem that Grant Williams and Semi do sort of fill almost the same role. Yes, GW can play a small ball 5 whereas Semi can't, and Semi can play the 3 better than GW can. But, I do think they are close - physically strong defenders (referring to strength here, not ability) who are reasonable catch and shoot 3 point threats. Neither is great doing much else offensively (although both have made progress here, with GW ahead of Semi). GW is obviously younger and has more years of team control.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Depends what you mean by rotation player. I'd argue he's a rotation player already and is fine in his role.

I don't think he's good enough to play 30 minutes a game. Far too inconsistent and he goes invisible for long stretches.

I also think he might be really cheap to re-sign and Brad seems to like him so I wouldn't be too shocked if he's back. I also wouldn't care if he was gone.

He's a guy that you can live with but is easily upgradeable and replaceable.

edit: Between Grant and Semi, Grant is probably the guy to go with. 4 years younger and under control longer. Semi is what he is, with maybe some minor improvements. Grant is young enough to theoretically take a leap.

 

[Kliq]

Semi has worked his way into being a very serviceable NBA player and deserves a lot of credit for his hard work, and the Celtics coaching and player devo. staff also deserve a lot of praise for molding a rough second-round pick into a component NBA player. He is in a good role right now as a sizable wing is making threes at a good clip.

I agree that his skills attacking closeouts have been improved over the past year. His numbers in a vacuum are not particularly impressive, but he is showing a big jump in his field goal percentage at the rim and assists; he feels more like a basketball player and less like a robot programmed to just stand in the corner.

 

[Light-Tower-Power]

I liked Semi in the starting lineup last night. It gave them a little more size than if it were Smart and provided some decent floor spacing. In a perfect, perfect world I think that Smart/Brown/Tatum/Ojeleye/Theis might be our best starting/closing lineup, but I doubt Brad doesn't have Kemba out there to close. In an even more perfect world, a Harrison Barnes type will be replacing Ojeleye in that lineup at some point in the not so distant future.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Wow, semi-tough crowd here.

Actually, I agree with everything said here. I think his development has been held back by his preference to not make mistakes rather than expand his game. He had more of an offensive game at SMU than just taking jump shots on offense. Hopefully as he continues to grow confidence, he'll get a chance to expand his game.

Also, he also rarely takes chances. Which is why he has few blocks or steals but also few TOs and PFs.

I mentioned this before in another thread but it will be interesting to see what he gets next seasons in terms of salary. I'm sure there are more than a few teams that need a wing of his caliber in the rotation. TOR for one could use him I think.

 

[NomarsFool]

Depends what you mean by rotation player. I'd argue he's a rotation player already and is fine in his role.

He's been averaging 18 minutes a night with some real lows (6) and last night's high (30). To me, the question is can he handle a more substantial role (call it 25+ minutes) a game?

 

[HomeRunBaker]

He's been averaging 18 minutes a night with some real lows (6) and last night's high (30). To me, the question is can he handle a more substantial role (call it 25+ minutes) a game?

We are also actively looking to upgrade his position. If we continue to see these many minutes from Semi post-trade deadline I’m going to need some else to get me through this.

 

[chilidawg]

We are also actively looking to upgrade his position. If we continue to see these many minutes from Semi post-trade deadline I’m going to need some else to get me through this.

I'm holding, I can help you out.