Turkey - Celtics realize value of Euro
Semih Erden was in attendance for practice yesterday, but the proper transfer of paperwork prevented him from officially joining his summer league teammates with the Celtics [team stats]. He should be hanging around for the “winter league,” as well. The Celts are in the process of signing the 7-footer to a one-year deal with an option for a second season.
From news.bostonherald.com
Download source here
Semih Erden was in attendance for practice yesterday, but the proper transfer of paperwork prevented him from officially joining his summer league teammates with the Celtics [team stats]. He should be hanging around for the “winter league,” as well.
The Celts are in the process of signing the 7-footer to a one-year deal with an option for a second season.
Erden was the team’s second-round draft pick in 2008, the 60th and last selection overall. He’s continued to play in his native Turkey, and once he saw his chance to take a shot in the NBA, the soon-to-be 24-year-old was eager to make the move.
Erden’s agent and translator, Tolga Tugsavul, said, “(Erden) said he didn’t come two years ago because he was under contract (in Turkey). His only option was this year to come here.
“He preferred to come two years before. But it still is not late for him. He still is young. He said, ‘I am very happy to be here. I’m very comfortable right now.’ ”
Erden will sign a minimum contract, which comes out to $473,604 for a player with no NBA experience.
But money is not the issue.
“First of all, he lost a lot of money right now,” Tugsavul said. “He has a big contract in Europe, but he gave it up to play in the NBA.
“He really wants to come here and play, to get the opportunity.”
That opportunity is expected to come soon. It is assumed the release papers will be in order in time for Erden to play when the Celts opener their Orlando league schedule tomorrow night.
Erden has been a professional for six seasons. He averaged 8.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in 21 minutes for Fenerbahce Ulker in the Turkish League this past season. In 10 Euroleague games, Erden went for 6.2 points and 5.4 boards in an average of 22 minutes in 10 games.
The Celtics hope to take a long-term approach with the player known as the “Great Wall of Turkey.”
“Semih is a very aggressive 7-foot kid that has good pro experience,” general manager Danny Ainge said. “He’s played well the last couple of years for Fenerbahce. They were the Turkish national champions this year. He’ll play a significant role for the Turkish national team this year in the world championships in Istanbul.
“We watched him play this year, and the game over there is so different than ours, so there will be an adjustment. It’s just a slower game. They don’t have the athletes over there than you do over here, so it’s always unpredictable to know how it translates with different players. But we like his aggressiveness. We like his size, his intensity.”
As for the difference between the Erden of today and the one the Celtics drafted two years ago, Ainge said, “I think he’s just more experienced. He’s developed. He’s gotten a chance to play. He’s put on some weight. But more than anything, he’s got some really good pro experience.
“We’re just hoping he’s a player that we can develop into a contributing player.”