04/16/24
October 27, 2017
SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
It was a fantastic game. I thought Giannis was going to ruin the Celtics' night but then Coach/ President Brad Stevens put in Semi Ojeleye and that was the end of that. Not to say they love the rookie's defense or anything . . .
Rookie chores: According to Synergy data about half of Semi Ojeleye's defended possessions have come against LeBron, Giannis, or Porzingis." Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) October 27, 2017
posted by yerfatma at 01:19 PM on October 27, 2017
This also happened at the game Celtics/Bucks last night. Greatest NBA night ever?
posted by NoMich at 01:31 PM on October 27, 2017
Kyrie Irving might not have loved the floor, but 24 points, 3 boards, and 7 assists speaks for itself. Putting Ojeleye on Antetokoumpo was a reaction to the loss to the Bucks last week. The key is to keep him from the spots where he is more effective with his shots, and most importantly to keep him from driving to the hoop.
What has never ceased to bother me is that defense in the NBA does not require great ability. It does require great athleticism, quickness, a lot of work, and the ability to move one's feet in order to get position. That said, my whole point is that if defense does not require one to be a superstar, why are so relatively few NBA stars noted for their defense?
posted by Howard_T at 01:39 PM on October 27, 2017
This also happened at the game Celtics/Bucks last night. Greatest NBA night ever?
I was home alone, going up to get another beer when I saw that kid out of the corner of my eye. Shook my head and said, "Nah, probably just me seeing things."
why are so relatively few NBA stars noted for their defense?
I think advanced metrics are starting to do that. Also, I cannot think of an adjective for Semi other than "stout". Between he and Yabusele, they have some serious bookends.
posted by yerfatma at 02:44 PM on October 27, 2017
This happened last night in Milwaukee