Semi Ojeleye scored a career high 22 point on 8-11 shooting in Boston’s win over the Cavaliers last night. Ojeleye’s development is something that can make or break the Celtics. We know what we’re getting from the front line guys of the Celtics. What we don’t know is what we’re getting from the bench unit. Outside of Marcus Smart, Boston doesn’t’ have a reliable player that comes off the bench. Semi Ojeleye could become a huge X-Factor for Boston down the stretch.
Ojeleye has always been a hard worker and great defender. He’s one of the few guys in the look that actually looks like Zion Williamson physically. 6-foot-6 and jacked. He is someone that can always be on the floor and guard the opponent’s best offensive player. The Celtics have a defensive rating of 106.2 overall. With Ojeleye on the floor, that number dips to 104.3. That unit would rank as the 2nd best defensive team in the NBA behind just Milwaukee.
As time goes on, Ojeleye is becoming a better scorer. Yes, he averages just 3.1 points per game. Yes, Ojeleye never really creates his own shot. He doesn’t have to either. What Ojeleye does is catch and shoot 3’s. The former SMU product is shotting 38.2 percent from deep. You can no longer just leave him open in the corner. That’s what Boston really needs.
Was the 22 point game an outlier or a sign of things to come? If Ojeleye can add a scoring element to his game, the Celtics become that much more dangerous. Boston needs a punch off the bench. Semi Ojeleye can be that guy. It’s something to monitor for Boston’s title hopes.
