Semih Erden hit 3-of-3 shots and 7-of-8 free throws on his way to 13 points, five rebounds and two blocks in Wednesday's exhibition win over the Sixers.

The numbers were solid, but more importantly, he looked like a beast on the court. Just like Nikola Pekovic in Minnesota, Erden is going to have supporters who think he should be starting for the Celtics. It's not going to happen as long as the O'Neal brothers are healthy, but then again, when was the last time we could truly say that about them? Keep an eye on Erden from here on out, as most of those who saw him play were blown away tonight.

Center Semih Erden is expected to get big minutes in the preaseason due to Jermaine O'Neal and Kendrick Perkins being injured, but is also worth keeping an eye on once the season starts.

"We may need him (Semih)," Doc Rivers said. "To think that Jermaine and Shaq are going to be healthy all year...is just unrealistic." Erden is not someone we'd spend a draft pick on in most leagues, but he's a guy who should be on fantasy radar until further notice.

Celtics reserve center Semih Erden (18 pts, 12 rebs, 3 blks) and Bulls reserve center Omer Asik (17-13-2) both played very well for Turkey as they blistered China 87-40 on Thursday.

However, both teams benched most starters with spots in the second round already locked up, as Turkey's Ersan Ilyasova and China's Yi Jianlian didn't play. We were starting to like Erden in Boston when Kendrick Perkins was the only other center around, but the arrival of the O'Neal boys should render him useless. Asik also has some talent, and should get a little run for the Bulls.