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Boston Celtics: 3 bench players to watch if NBA season resumes

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 04: Semi Ojeleye #37 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after scoring during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 04, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 04: Semi Ojeleye #37 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after scoring during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 04, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics Semi Ojeleye (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Semi Ojeleye (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

Semi Ojeleye

As far as scoring goes, third-year forward Semi Ojeleye isn’t a player most Boston Celtics fans will point to for instant offense off the bench.

However, due to his versatility defensively, Ojeleye does get a lot of minutes off the bench.  Wouldn’t it be nice if he wasn’t a liability on the offensive end?

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Like Marcus Smart, Semi Ojeleye provides the team with a toughness and energy defensively that often times goes unmatched by the opposing team.  He also has established a three-point shot that if he can knock down consistently gives opposing defensive someone else to think about.

Prior to the NBA suspending the season, Ojeleye showed his offensive improvement with a career-high 22-point performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 112-106 victory for the undermanned Celtics.

While the offensive explosion was a shock (more of a suprise) to many who follow the Celtics, it wasn’t for the team, who recognized that sort of ability in Semi Ojeleye.

"“He’s the best,” Brad Stevens said following the game, via MassLive.com.  “He’s a great worker.  He’s a great teammate.  When everything is not going your way, he’s a guy you know is in everybody’s corner.”"

Though Ojeleye’s main contribution is on the defensive end, the fact that he has the ability to score more consistently makes him a bench player who could have the most impact going forward.

Next. Boston Celtics: 3 predictions for second half of 2019-20 NBA season. dark

To sum this all up, if the Boston Celtics have all their players fully healthy, they can go nine deeps with Romeo Langford, Enes Kanter and Semi Ojeleye joining Marcus Smart off the bench for valuable and impactful minutes.

Any of those players playing well gives Brad Stevens more to work with when it comes to matchups and lineup adjustments.

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