Taking stock at mid-season: the Celtics’ veteran grades so far

With the midpoint of the 2019-20 NBA season in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to take stock of what the Boston Celtics’ veterans have done so far.

The Specialists

While they aren’t always a good fit because of who they are as players, sometimes, they are a good fit — for the same reasons. It’s no secret Enes Kanter is not the guy you want on the floor for a pick-and-roll heavy opponent, and if you need a bucket, Semi Ojeleye is the wrong guy to turn to.

But they also have indispensable skills that have been key at times for the team — how well have they played within their roles?

Enes Kanter

Once you come to terms with Kanter’s baked-in strengths and weaknesses, it’s clear you want him to generate offense on second-chance attempts and pull down boards at a high clip without costing you too much on the defensive end.

Much of his success depends on head coach Brad Stevens putting him in situations he can succeed in, and so far, he has. He’s had a few stinkers as most players have, and limits what Boston can do against certain elite bigs.

But it’s also not reasonable to judge him negatively for not doing jobs no one anticipated him to do well, and he’s mostly stuck to doing what he’s been asked to with little complaint despite getting fewer minutes than at any point in his career after his second season.

Semi Ojeleye

A literal wall of muscle who can help a wing-heavy offense quickly recover to defend both faster perimeter players and burly bigs when needed, Ojeleye was hoped to add to his offensive game as well this season, his third.

And, in some ways, he has — he’s currently shooting a career-high 37.7 % from deep. But that’s the only step forward he’s made on offense besides boosting his free throw percentage (up to 81.3 % from 61.5 %).

He’ll keep his high rotation role as long as he continues to be such a versatile defender, but he’ll never get a big-money contract as long as his ability to put points on the scoreboards continues to languish.

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