LakersSoul wrote:cl2117 wrote:The Celtics had 5 rookies play 112 minutes in total yesterday: Tatum (36), Ojeleye (28), Theis (20), Nader (20), Yabusele (8).
Kadeem Allen made it on the floor as the 6th rookie, but saw sub 1 minute. Plus they had a sophomore playing 34 mins in Jaylen Brown and Rozier, in his third year, playing 36 mins. It was a great day for anyone who loves when the kids get some run. They all played pretty well to boot.
Tatum had a good game (17 points). Ojeleye was strong on D and kept shooting after some early struggles to knock down 2 key threes. Theis is one of those really old rookies (25 years old), but he’s been really strong all season as depth off the bench and is INCREDIBLY cheap ($815k this year). Nader was solid off the bench and almost had a mammoth dunk. Yabusele knocked down a 3 and didn’t look totally lost.
It was just a really nice game to watch as someone who wishes there were more of an occasion to see the young guys from the end of the bench. Nothing to write home about, but definitely fun to watch.
I liked Ojeleye from the draft and was hoping the Laker would pick him up. How is Ojeleye doing overall? He was suppose to be a 3&D guy if I remember correctly. How is he progressing?
He's been a really bright spot from the draft. Tatum overshadows him naturally, but Semi is playing a legit role off the bench for Boston.
That role involves him sitting at the 3 point line the majority of the time on offense, but he's been a very solid and versatile defender thus far. The 3 ball was dropping for him all summer during SL and preseason, but he's been hot and cold all season. He's got a really good stroke and release though, so I think it'll come. He continues to shoot it with confidence even when it's not falling which I think is a great sign (last night he hit 2 down the stretch to keep Boston within striking distance).
If he can get that shot to fall consistently he's going to have a long career as a really good bench 3&D wing. He's already faced up against KD, LeBron, Giannis etc. defensively and held his own for stretches. He's the perfect kind of guy to throw out there with the starting unit. He hustles, plays really strong defense, can switch against a lot of guys, doesn't need the ball and can knock down an open 3.
He's a total steal as a 2nd round pick. I don't think he has the upside to be a starter on a good team, but he's a really good glue guy and I think he's got potential to be a 6th/7th guy for a title team once he matures.
