While we all celebrated the return of basketball demigod Marcus Smart, Brad Stevens was preparing to blow our minds with another wild adjustment.
Starting Semi Ojeleye.
Statistically, Semi is among the league’s worst offensive players. While I fully believe in his offensive skills eventually blooming, the fact remains that he has not been great on that end.
He has, though, displayed a solid defensive acumen with the foot speed to hang with quicker wing players and the combat muscles to stand his ground against charging bulls.
The latter vindicated Stevens’ gambit as Ojeleye flashed enough solid defense to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo moderately at bay whenever they matched up.