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In defense of Semi Ojeleye...

Player Comparison: James Posey (2000-01) vs. Semi Ojeleye (2018-19) vs. Jerome Kersey (1985-86) vs. Scottie Pippen (1988-89) vs. Jonas Jerebko (2011-12) vs. Jae Crowder (2013-14)

A recent post asked to defend Semi Ojeleye.

Will Ojeleye ever be an all-star? Most likely not. His per-game stats do not hold up well against some similar players.

If you take into account that Ojeleye is the 11th man on a stacked team and competes with minutes with Jason Tatum, Gordon Hayward, Marcus Smart, Marcus Morris and Al Horford-- his averaging only 11 minutes a game is completely understandable. His per-36 minutes average is better.

Kersey....................19.9
Pippen.....................15.6
Jerebko...................13.6
Ojeleye....................11.7
Posey.......................10.6
Crowder....................10.2

When it comes to just watching Ojeleye play-- he does does seem to be a loose part in the Celtics offense. But part of that has to do with how Brad Steven's runs his offense. A. Doxy takes a look at Brad Stevens offense beginning in 2017. If you watch both videos-- one of the keys to Stevens's offense is to have a player hang out in on the corner baseline. Just being there creates spacing in the middle.

Highlights- Pelicans

Well the Pelicans are not the best defense to test an offense-- you can see the good and the bad of Ojeleye's game in these highlight. His offensive game is kind of clunky. But-- when he is on the court with three of Hayward, Irving, Horford, Rozier, Tatum and to a lessor extent Brown-- the Celtics do not need him to be a stud. He just needs to hang in the corner and keep defenses honest.

Finally-- Semi Ojeleye Defense Against Giannis Antetokounmpo - Game 5 Celtics vs. Bucks. He does not have a single steal or block in the entire highlights. What he does do-- is have enough lateral quickness to be between Giannias and the rim on every possession and the strength to keep the freak from getting the position he wants with his back to the basket.

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