On defense, Semi Ojeleye gives the second unit everything they need
The statistic—offensive rating—measures how many points a player produced given their time on the floor. Semi Ojeleye had the 7th worst offensive rating of players who played over 15 minutes and 35 games.
Even though offensive rating is just one metric, this statistic is a good indicator of Ojeleye’s offensive performance. Still, the Boston Celtics should stick with him as he is a vital asset on a defensively deep team.
Ojeleye earned his minutes for his defensive versatility. His role in the playoffs was ambiguous. He played amazing individual defense against Giannis Antetokounmpo and earned over 18 minutes per game in this series.
Video: Kevin O’Connor
Ojeleye played more minutes against the Bucks than in the 76ers and Cavaliers series combined. His playing time dropped significantly because his inability to contribute offensively outweighed his defensive efforts. He became a target for notably poor defenders, such as Redick and Korver, who could hide on Ojeleye as he sat idle in the corner.
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It’s clear he struggled offensively. Placing sole judgment on his offensive game hurts his case. Stressing his defensive intangibles helps his case. Ojeleye has the build and archetype of many successful second-round swingmen, like Draymond Green, P.J. Tucker, and Jae Crowder, all of whom struggled offensively in their rookie season.
Amongst all draft picks last year who played over 35 games, Ojeleye ranked 7th in limiting fast break points, 13th in limiting second-chance points, and 16th in defensive win shares. While these stats might not scream defensive stopper, his switchability gave the Celtics another versatile defender who could take pressure off of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
After Daniel Theis was sidelined, Ojeleye saw his minutes increase significantly. With this added playing time, he stepped up his performance on both sides of the floor. Ojeleye gained Brad Stevens’s trust. In the playoffs, he found himself playing meaningful minutes in crunch time. He played for over 15 minutes in 39 of the 73 games which he saw action. This is a lot of action for a second-round rookie on a contending team.
Finally, while the shots did not fall last year, Ojeleye’s shot selection was extremely efficient by modern NBA standards. The midrange jump shot is known as an extremely inefficient shot. Ojeleye only took 10 all season. The majority, 47% of his shots, came from corner threes and in the paint-efficient shots. With more practice, he should convert on more of his corner three attempts.
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Even with the return of Theis and Gordon Hayward, Ojeleye should still see court time. He proved himself capable of defending elite offensive players for long stretches of time. For Ojeleye, the defense is paramount. The offense will follow, but his defensive versatility should keep him in the Celtic rotation.