Milwaukee Bucks: 3 fitting goals for Semi Ojeleye during 2021-22 season
By Dalton Sell
Goal No. 3 – Semi Ojeleye must fill the void left behind by P.J. Tucker with Milwaukee Bucks in 2021-22
Immediately after the Bucks signed Ojeleye in free agency, the comparisons to P.J. Tucker started flooding in, and understandably so.
Tucker was a key piece in Milwaukee’s title run due to his defensive stature and found himself in the starting lineup after Donte DiVincenzo suffered a season-ending injury. It was a luxury for the Bucks to be able to throw Tucker at the likes of Kevin Durant, and they likely do not win this title without him in the fold. With Tucker’s abrupt exit in free agency that saw him sign a deal with the Miami Heat, the team needs a replacement, and Ojeleye is the top candidate.
While Ojeleye is not anywhere near the reputable defender that Tucker is, the comparisons are feasible. Both are sturdy, strong forwards that can take on defenders much bigger than them. At 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, Ojeleye is a player very similar in physical stature as well. When the team needs a brawny defender to match up with someone like LeBron James, Ojeleye will likely get the call off the bench at various points.
Once again, he is not Tucker, but the team is baking on the notion that he could try and replicate that defensive prowess. Ojeleye is known for his defense, and if he can turn some heads with his efforts on that side of the ball, he will carve out a role for himself fairly quickly on his new team.
Ojeleye is one of the more intriguing new additions for the Bucks, and he is someone that seems like he could play a big role for the reigning champs.