Burn for Semih Erden (In The First Preseason Game)

Preseason Game 1: Celtics 93, Sixers 65 [recap|box score]

I don't normally link to game recaps from other Celtics fan blogs, since I figure people who come here generally want my thoughts and know where to get others'. However, I can't watch the preseason games, whereas I think bloggers in Boston can. So if you're interested in the details of this meaningless game, check out these posts from Celtics Hub, Celtics Town, Red's Army, and Celtics Blog. Also, Celtics Life snagged some highlights from NBA.com.

Some of those posts focus on Semih Erden, as does this one, and I'm going to, too, because the one thing that struck me, looking at the box score before I read anything, was that the Turkish newcomer played nearly 24 minutes. That's an awful lot, and it got me thinking about the possible reasons why:

• Necessity. With Kendrick Perkins out until at least February and Jermaine O'Neal sitting due to a sore hamstring, Doc Rivers was a bit shorthanded last night. Given the mileage on and injury history of Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O'Neal, it makes sense to give Erden extended run.
• Evaluation. Erden's been overseas since Boston drafted him, so Doc hasn't had a lot of time with him. Watching him with the Turkish national team is one thing, and working with him in practice is another, but the best way to see what he's got is to get him in a game situation. But if that was Doc's objective, why not play some of the other unknown quantities fighting for roster spots, namely Von Wafer and Mario West, more than 12 and seven minutes, respectively?
• Precaution. The general consensus is that there isn't room for Erden in the rotation this year, and that he'll spend most of the season in Maine with the D-League Red Claws. And it's true, if JON, Shaq, KG, and Big Baby are healthy, there's no room for Erden in the rotation -- particularly when Perk gets back. But that group is old and injury prone, and if Erden is ready to contribute, he could be an insurance policy. Knowing whether he can play could also come in handy if we decide to make a personnel move at the trade deadline, the way we have the last two years; if he's ready, we could address an area other than the post.

My hunch is that it's the first reason, but the third on intrigues me.

A few other quick thoughts on the guys competing to make the roster. It appears that Wafer played the entire final quarter, scoring no points on a very un-Waferlike zero shots, amassing two turnovers as his only stats. The guy he's apparently competing with for the final roster spot, Mario West, played the final seven minutes. It appears from the box score that West, similarly, had no impact on the game. But Stephane Lasme, who entered the game with West, had 12 points and four boards in his playing time, going 6-for-7 from the free throw line. Like the recently cut Tony Gaffney, Lasme -- mostly a shotblocker and defender -- is a UMass product. I haven't heard any rumbling that Lasme has a shot at the roster this season, but if he keeps this up, he'll stay on Boston's radar, for sure.

Second preseason game is tonight against the Nets, and is being broadcast on NBATV, for those of you who get that channel. Tip's at 7 Eastern.