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Boston Celtics: Semi Ojeleye can still have an impact on defense

By Joshua Bateman

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 24: Semi Ojeleye #37 of the Boston Celtics rebounds the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 24: Semi Ojeleye #37 of the Boston Celtics rebounds the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Semi Ojeleye can still serve a particular purpose on defense for the Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics will be going into next season with a much more refined roster than we have seen for many years now. They are going to be true title contenders, with expectations to get nothing less than that.

The Celtics have their top end talent that they know will be able to take this team to the next level. The bench, however, has a lot more question marks. When it is all said and done, the Celtics could end up with the best bench in the NBA, we just have to wait and see how that bench is going to materialize.

Right now, you know Terry Rozier has a top spot off the bench, Daniel Theis should have a top secondary role and, if he is brought back, we know that Marcus Smart will be one of the best sixth men in the NBA.

The problem is that with three wings already starting, and two point guards sitting in the top three off their bench, front court depth might be had to come by. When you look at the pieces they have for the front court, it is clear that defense and size could become a concern.

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The Celtics may not want to bring Aron Baynes back, putting a lot more pressure on their versatile bigs to step things up when the wings are not able to hold it down. Semi Ojeleye, who is coming off a decent rookie season, has proven that he can be the defensive specialist they want coming off the bench.

Ojeley might always end up being a matchup play, but he can be incredibly valuable to a lot of matchups. After watching him have such a strong impact against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, you know he can be a force on defense.

He may not be able to stay with the quickest players, but that is not what they will need him for. Ojeleye will be able to go out there and settle things down when the smaller units are getting out of control.

He can be a strong rebounder himself. and the presence he can have will certainly alter the way teams think they can attack. Ojeleye will never have a chance to start, but there can be enough size in this league, that the Celtics will not be able to hold it together on defense without someone like Ojeleye.

Keep in mind, Theis will also be there to bring some extra size and defense off the bench, but Ojeleye can be used in different situations. Once again, strength is not Theis’ biggest advantage. The Celtics want to have a lineup that is versatile to handle everything, but sometimes that is not possible.

Teams are going to do a lot of things to try and make the Celtics adjust, and they cannot fall into the trap of being too stubborn with their lineup. Brad Stevens still loves to have options, and Ojeleye’s performance in the playoffs should not be forgotten.

Ojeleye would be the exact kind of specialist the Celtics could benefit from. He brings that additional size and strength that is lacking on the inside, but still has some of the versatility. Keep in mind, he wants to be a threat from three point range, and that would go a long ways in making sure he keeps on getting minutes.

The Celtics will need to figure out if they can get by without the raw traditional size of someone like Baynes. It is clear that they want to focus their assets in another direction, and Ojeleye is the one player who can help ease that part of the transition.

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Ojeleye gives Stevens another options in a front court that could take a lot of time to settle this season. Even if Ojeleye is in and out of the rotation, he possesses the kind of strength and interior presence that maybe no one else on the team has, and you have to expect that Stevens will find a way to get something out of him next season.

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