Safe to assume you're a bachelor?Hello. Big wingspan guy here. I've even got a full size Fathead of Wade Baldwin stretching from my living room to the bathroom down the hall.
Safe to assume you're a bachelor?Hello. Big wingspan guy here. I've even got a full size Fathead of Wade Baldwin stretching from my living room to the bathroom down the hall.
Nice! His Draft Express page shows he was measured at age 16 during a Reebok Breakout with a 8’5” standing reach while at 6’1.5” himself.Hello. Big wingspan guy here. I've even got a full size Fathead of Wade Baldwin stretching from my living room to the bathroom down the hall.
Too bad you aren't a NBA GM - as I presume Wade would have a NBA contract right now if you wee (as oppsed to his G league two-way contract).Hello. Big wingspan guy here. I've even got a full size Fathead of Wade Baldwin stretching from my living room to the bathroom down the hall.
I like what I see from him so far. I'll admit I was wrong if he keeps this up. Certainly a far better defender that I thought he'd be.How'd that work out for you? (Sorry, couldn't resist.)
In the pace & space era it's defensive quickness that matters and he has it to burn. I doubt he'll ever be anything more than a 3 & D guy (his handle makes Rookie Avery Bradley look like Marques Haynes in comparison), but he's going to give that in spades .
Not sure what you mean here.Now the 3s are falling. The idea this kid was going to be a washout was laughable.
Everyone knew he had a decent stroke. It's more important to see that he looks confident taking them, that his release is quick enough that he's not getting constantly run off the line, that defenders take him seriously enough that he can provide floor spacing, etc.Not sure what you mean here.
Many people admit being surprised at how well he has played so far. So who gets laughed at, anyone who doubted him? I have been impressed by him so far, but it is early.
Shooting well for 21 threes dispels all doubts?
Yeah - I don't think there were too many serious questions about his shooting. The questions were more whether he had the quickness to be good defensively on the perimeter.He was also 42% from 3 on 195 college attempts, and 79% on 237 FTs. I would have been much more surprised to find he couldn't shoot.
How do the combine drills provide (or not) provide evidence of that ability. I assume there is some measure of skill that indicates a capability and the remainder is willingness? OR?Yeah - I don't think there were too many serious questions about his shooting. The questions were more whether he had the quickness to be good defensively on the perimeter.
Semi had pretty remarkable combine numbers - third best agility score and standing vertical- that were particularly impressive for a guy at his weight. He did, however, have really poor steal and block rates in college (and relatedly, a poor DBPM for a 21 year old) that gave some draftniks cause for concern, even while most scouts that I read acknowledged that he excelled at staying in front of his man. I suspect it's less a matter of quickness with him, and more about his anticipation skills. But if he can still stay in front of wings in the pros (and early returns are promising), with his strength to keep guys from getting to their spots, he might be a case where he can add value on defense without putting up much in terms of steals/blocks. It'll be interesting to see his DBPM, which I suspect will never be great, compared to his DRPM once he gets substantial minutes under his belt. Fortunately, he had a rep in college as a really hard worker and it sounds like that's been the case in Boston so far too.How do the combine drills provide (or not) provide evidence of that ability. I assume there is some measure of skill that indicates a capability and the remainder is willingness? OR?
Yeah steal and block rates are well documented for translation. I was aware he had good combine results - but I was asking if there is any study on those (combine) results translating.Semi had pretty remarkable combine numbers - third best agility score and standing vertical- that were particularly impressive for a guy at his weight. He did, however, have really poor steal and block rates in college
There really isn't aside from watching the player. Guys can be explosive athletes in testing, and never show you a lick of it on the court. And you know what? The opposite can be true as well. Jodie Meeks, for example, should have been the next Jordan if the athletic numbers were to be believed. But despite the speed, quickness, and leaping ability, that just wasn't his game on either end of the floor (and he was my eye-opening moment, and the point where I began looking at all sorts of combine numbers and seeing how the results belied the game).How do the combine drills provide (or not) provide evidence of that ability. I assume there is some measure of skill that indicates a capability and the remainder is willingness? OR?
This seems aggressive for a guy with an 8% usage (half of Crowder's!), and no real track record defensively.I was a doubter after his first couple Summer League games. He looked lost and couldn't stay in front of his man. He finished much better though and has carried it over to NBA games.
I thought his ceiling would be Jae Crowder. Semi is pretty much already at that level already. He's also 23 so he's a lot older than the other rookies we've been playing over the years. Maybe it shouldn't be too shocking he's further along than we all thought.
I find it weird that he has exactly 0 -- literally 0 -- blocked shots this year. Even Larkin has one. I marvel at Semi's ability to shuffle his feet and block off driving lanes, but he just doesn't interfere enough with shots; too many guys on offense go right up over him. Hopefully that will change.Opponents are actually shooting 2.0 percent better than expected on shots that Ojeleye contests. There is a small enough sample size not to be concerned about that just yet, but he also isn’t getting his hands on the ball very frequently. Ojeleye is averaging just 0.5 deflections, 0.3 steals, and 0.0 blocks per game.
Interesting article on Semi here. Also notes something that I've observed (in bold):
I find it weird that he has exactly 0 -- literally 0 -- blocked shots this year. Even Larkin has one. I marvel at Semi's ability to shuffle his feet and block off driving lanes, but he just doesn't interfere enough with shots; too many guys on offense go right up over him. Hopefully that will change.
He's also a bit undersized for a PF, and has an average to below average wingspan for his height. Didn't block many shots in college, either. Also, his contesting of shots seems a bit perfunctory. He puts his hand up, but without any real intent.That is weird. Maybe its just that he's a good defender, but not *so* good that he can be good both laterally and going toward the shooter.
Yeah, his standing reach is essentially the same as Gordon Hayward's. He's a longer/bouncier Jae Crowder, but I don't expect him to record many blocks ever.He's also a bit undersized for a PF, and has an average to below average wingspan for his height. Didn't block many shots in college, either. Also, his contesting of shots seems a bit perfunctory. He puts his hand up, but without any real intent.
He puts his hand up, but without any real intent.
Given the matchups he has had, and that he is a rookie, I'm not concerned that opponents are shooting 2% better than expected.Interesting article on Semi here. Also notes something that I've observed (in bold):
I find it weird that he has exactly 0 -- literally 0 -- blocked shots this year. Even Larkin has one. I marvel at Semi's ability to shuffle his feet and block off driving lanes, but he just doesn't interfere enough with shots; too many guys on offense go right up over him. Hopefully that will change.
Me either. He does seem to be most effective bodying up to force bad shots and less apt to block...but zero seems like an anomaly.Given the matchups he has had, and that he is a rookie, I'm not concerned that opponents are shooting 2% better than expected.
Semi tested out at 40.5 inches, which was 5th best at the combine last year. http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/article150305707.htmlSemi is not very tall and he's not particularly springy, either. Not exactly surprised that he doesn't have blocks.
I'm not sure that's what "springy" means. He might be able to jump high, but how often can he jump in a 5 second time span?Semi tested out at 40.5 inches, which was 5th best at the combine last year. http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/article150305707.html
He doesn't look springy because he doesn't go for many blocks (seemingly more focused on positional defense than trying to block shots) and doesn't attack the rim almost ever on offense.
But he can certainly jump.
Which type of defense did SMU primarily play last season, zone or man? I watched some SMU but mostly individual clips of Semi in preparing for the draft and don't recall the disparity but Jankovich made his mark coming up the ranks with his matchup and 3-2 zone defenses. I did notice that SMU opponents last year ranked 11th out of 352 in 3-point FGA which is typical of going up against a zone defense. If Semi is on the back line (or really anywhere in a zone) he wouldn't be expected to have a very high steal or block rate......while in limited minutes at Duke as a Freshman in a solely man-to-man defense his rates were over 3x greater.Semi has a pretty terrible steal rate too. I'm guessing his steal and block rates are why he dropped to the 2nd round.
I have no idea. I'm not a big watcher of the college game as it's too much hero ball for me. I was just looking at Semi's college stats and noticed the block and steal rates were pretty abysmal. Someone did a study last year in that regard to Jaylen Brown and while the Cal system did decrease block and steal rates, it didn't impact Jaylen's rates his first year in the NBA. Jaylen has also seen a significant jump in his steal rate this season and is at a respectable 1.9%, but he was also 20 in his rookie year, Semi is 23.Which type of defense did SMU primarily play last season, zone or man?
Semi is at .235 from 3 since I made my comment. He was .429 before. I take it back Semi!He was also 42% from 3 on 195 college attempts, and 79% on 237 FTs. I would have been much more surprised to find he couldn't shoot.
His shot seemed flat last night. Given his size, I would assume that the grind of the NBA season would be something he would need to get used to.Semi is at .235 from 3 since I made my comment. He was .429 before. I take it back Semi!
I agree with your point, but it's also important to remember the NBA 3 is farther out. It doesn't always translate. Daniel Theis is having a tough time of it as well.Semi is at .235 from 3 since I made my comment. He was .429 before. I take it back Semi!
It truly is amazing to me that nba.com has these stats available. What a world!Semi has drawn some tough defensive assignments this year. Lebron, Giannis, etc. I imagine those guys don't get their shots blocked all that often by anyone.
IIRC he looked much better offensively in the first 15 or so games of the season.His shot seemed flat last night. Given his size, I would assume that the grind of the NBA season would be something he would need to get used to.
Would be even better if they had the data on who has blocked his shots.It truly is amazing to me that nba.com has these stats available. What a world!
Giannis has had his shot blocked 25 times this year. Lebron 32 times.
For comparison, Dennis Schroder leads the league with 53 of his shots blocked. Kyrie leads the Celts with 29
Yep, similar to rebound rate, knowing whose shot you're blocking (and their % blocked) could contextualize raw totals that often aren't that meaningful.Would be even better if they had the data on who has blocked his shots.
I attribute this to adjusting to the quickness, length and athleticism of NBA defenses and the game not yet slowing down for them as opposed to distance. Theis clips showed that range is not a problem for him whereas he never had a Giannis closing out on him overseas last year.......while my recall is that Semi has been pretty good in knocking down wide open 3's. It's all about slowing the game down and finding your comfort zone as a shooter. Rushed mechanics for a 3-point shooter is a death knell which is why effectively closing out on shooters is a critical element of an NBA defense.I agree with your point, but it's also important to remember the NBA 3 is farther out. It doesn't always translate. Daniel Theis is having a tough time of it as well.
This makes a hell of a lot of sense.I attribute this to adjusting to the quickness, length and athleticism of NBA defenses and the game not yet slowing down for them as opposed to distance. Theis clips showed that range is not a problem for him whereas he never had a Giannis closing out on him overseas last year.......while my recall is that Semi has been pretty good in knocking down wide open 3's. It's all about slowing the game down and finding your comfort zone as a shooter. Rushed mechanics for a 3-point shooter is a death knell which is why effectively closing out on shooters is a critical element of an NBA defense.
Theis went into last night's game at 5-26 from three, which is abysmal. But, he went 2-2 from behind the stripe, include a slick step back three off the dribble (similar to the move Tatum has used to great effect recently). So maybe he is making the adjustments. Or maybe the old slow Cavs defense on the second game of a back to back is vulnerable to that sort of thing.I agree with your point, but it's also important to remember the NBA 3 is farther out. It doesn't always translate. Daniel Theis is having a tough time of it as well.
Live I thought it was clearly a foul but the replay showed he went perfectly straight up and there was minimal contact. Agree that gets whistled more often than not but it was a great playWas just coming here to post that - some context (from memory) -
Cs were short of bigs to guard Okafor - Horford out, Baynes in foul trouble, Theis not very effective. It seemed Semi had the strength to defend vs Okafor, size was obvs an issue. Overall Semi held his own. I think the Nets pulled Okafor because of conditioning, it looks like he's only capable of 7-8 minute stretches right now.
The defense on the Dinwiddie drive was textbook but I think it gets whistled if a player with a bigger rep is going to the basket
Definately a close one; Semi played it well enough to justify the non-call.Live I thought it was clearly a foul but the replay showed he went perfectly straight up and there was minimal contact. Agree that gets whistled more often than not but it was a great play