The line between opportunity and disaster is thinner than most would like to admit for most players playing on their rookie contract, with the exigencies of the team that drafts you often taking precedence over individual player development at the NBA level.
And that’s a reality faced by Boston Celtics forward Semi Ojeleye in the final season of his rookie deal, despite being one of the better players not on a max deal when defending the league’s burlier, mobile big men and shooting over 40% from beyond the arc. Even with all that on his resumé, it wasn’t a done deal he would return to the team this offseason until the lack of depth at the wing with Gordon Hayward’s exit required it.
Aaron Nesmith credits Jerry Stackhouse’s coaching learning Celtics’ defense https://t.co/Gx1tbo9v4z
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 9, 2020
Ojeleye spoke with team reporter Mark D’Amico this week ahead of the team’s start to their preseason on Dec. 15, sharing some of the things he’s been working on with his game in the abbreviated offseason.
“Just trying to make the game simple again,” replied the Kansas native.
“On the catch, if I’m open, shoot it. If not, drive it and best case scenario move it or try to get a good shot for somebody else. Not really hesitating, and like I said, keeping it simple is what we really tried to focus on mentally. And from there, we just got in a lot of reps and, and tried to make the game slow down even more.”
Offense has been the area of greatest concern for the Celtics and Ojeleye both, with the team desperately needing scoring and shooting off of the bench.
In 2019-20, the Celtic forward shot 40.8% from beyond the arc — but he continues to hone the shot even so — but how?
“Shooting the ball higher, focusing on getting more on my shot,” responded the SMU product.
“I’m just just trying to focus on one thing, and that was just holding my follow-through and understanding each shot and not think about anything else, not about misses or percentages, or the time on the clock. Just getting the shot up, and let the work speak for itself. And thank God, enough shots fell for me to shoot a good percentage.”
“I’m going to continue to keep working and hopefully that keeps improving and staying consistent,” he added.
If Ojeleye can become a reliable source of even a pair of treys off the bench a game, he’ll earn himself a respectable paycheck in this league.
But time is running out for him to stick with Boston, so fingers crossed his hard work pays off in 2020-21.
[jwplayer dtrZgH6K]
[lawrence-related id=44007,43657,43571,40476]
[listicle id=44145]