Semi Ojeleye's minutes on the rise - now a key cog in the rotation

Semi Ojeleye's minutes keep increasing, and he averages 24 MPG over the past four contests, effectively playing half of the game. Over that same span, his plus/minus ranks 27th in the NBA at +37. He is hitting his field goals, 3-pointers and free throws, while starting to become a factor on the boards.

Semi Ojeleye is shooting a career-high 37 percent from 3. Some on/off splits since Hayward's injury:
Celtics' D with Ojeleye on court: 97 points allowed per 100 poss (1st on team)
Celtics' D with Ojeleye off court: 106 points allowed per 100 poss. https://t.co/Wq63vJc9mo
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) December 6, 2019

Semi has hit 5-of-11 field goals and 4-of-9 treys in that 4-game span. He also garnered 16 rebounds and five steals. His defense never wavers from superb, but his other production is earning him a solid role in the Celtics system. It took a while, but Ojeleye hung in there and Brad Stevens never gave up on him. Hell, no - Semi was too valuable to sit for extended periods.

We can never factor out the possibility of Danny Ainge showcasing Semi for an impending trade, but I doubt that. His $1.6 million for this season doesn't come close to his value to the team, and with Danny having a club option for next season on Semi's contract (only $1.8 million), expect The Ox to stay where he is. In the end, his low salary would mean little for dollar-matching in any deal. He is on the right team.

Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel, @CausewayStreet and Facebook

Comments

The Elm Street Nightmare

A true-and-suspenseful horror tale of haunting, homicides and the hunt for triple-murderer, Daniel Laplante - as told by the cops that were there By Lt. Thomas Lane (Ret.) Daniel Laplante - cold, calm, clever, calculating- Photo: YouTube Elm Street surfaces on six (6) occasions in the Laplante saga: 1.) He resided on Elm Street in Townsend, Massachusetts 2.) He kidnapped a woman at gunpoint on Elm Street, Pepperell , Massachusetts 3.) That kidnapped woman fled to the Gillogly residence on Elm Street after escaping from the armed fugitive, Laplante. 4.) He was arrested and transported to Massachusetts State Police Barracks on Elm Street in Concord . 5.) He was tried, convicted and sentenced for the murders at Superior Court , corner of Elm Stree t and Gorham Street, Lowell, Massachusetts. 6.) The author, Thomas Lane, lived on Elm Steet, Pepperell, Massachusetts while a police Sgt./Lt. for the town police force. When evil and cleverness reside in the same mind, the st

In defense of Marcus Smart

Let me make it clear first of all that I am totally against making a threat of any kind that even hints at harming, or certainly killing, another human being. Marcus Smart was wrong in doing so in the Celtics loss to the tanking Oklahoma City Thunder , and he deserved the one-game suspension. But to be honest, part of me loved that it occurred. . This type of thing can happen when a player gets to a point "beyond frustration" and is having a bad game. Marcus and his teammates have been under-performing generally - were in the process of losing to a pathetic-and-tanking Thunder team - and Smart was having a bad game . And he let loose verbally at the closest target - an NBA official. Wilt Chamberlain did a similar act versus referee, Earl Strom when Wilt was having his usual tortuous time at the free throw line (per Chicago Tribune's Sam Smith): ''He was in one of those 1-for-13s,'' recalls referee Earl Strom. ''Nothing was getting close. S

Did the Celtics Kevin McHale really have a wingspan of 8-feet?

According to many sources, the Celtics Kevin McHale did indeed have an estimated wingspan of 8-feet. One of those sources is Wikipedia, as seen below: Kevin McHale American basketball player DescriptionKevin Edward McHale is an American retired basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Boston Celtics. He is a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and is regarded as one of the best power forwards of all time. He was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. Wikipedia Born: December 19, 1957 (age 61 years), Hibbing, MN Wingspan: 8′ 0″ Height: 6′ 10″ Spouse: Lynn McHale (m. 1982) NBA draft: 1980, Boston Celtics (Round: 1 / Pick: 3) Hall of fame induction: 1999 Number: 32 (Boston Celtics / Power forward, Center) Kevin was listed at 6'10" tall when he was drafted with the 3rd pick in the 1980 draft. Red Auerbach, in yet another heist, brought in both McHale and center Robert Parish (via trade) prior to the Celtics' 1980-81 Champion

Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

Search This Blog