The Read & React: the return of Kelly Olynyk

http://www.celticsblog.com/2016/11/10/13579954/the-read-react-the-return-of-kelly-olynyk




The Read & React: the return of Kelly Olynyk


Another blowout where the Celtics looked lifeless on the boards and on defense.



by CelticsBlog Staff  Nov 10, 2016, 8:00am EST



Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports




Kelly Olynyk effect (Bill Sy): He’s baaaaaaack. Maybe not all the way and maybe that’s a little dramatic, but KO is back. It wasn’t an earth shattering performance from the big fella (two points on 1-of-6 shooting, 6 rebounds, and an assist), but you can see signs of what Olynyk brings to the Celtics. That’s why he was only second to Isaiah Thomas in plus-minus (3.2) and first in NetRtg (5.2) last season.

His 40% shooting behind the arc last season is at the top of his resume, but there are so many little things that the Celtics’ best background actor does that go unnoticed.

https://gfycat.com/FelineCooperativeCaracal

This series is a microcosm of Olynyk’s game. He doesn’t rack up defensive counting stats like blocks and steals, but he’s usually in the right position defensively and his seven foot frame is enough to force a bad shot. He stays in front of the ultra-quick John Wall, retreats and rotates to a cutting Otto Porter, and gets back to Marcin Gortat and contests his shot. On the offensive end, he forces Marcus Thornton to respect his three pointer, puts the ball on the floor like a point guard, and drives and up fakes Jason Smith. He blows the layup, but that sequence shows the versatility that he brings to the floor.

https://gfycat.com/RawPowerfulCorydorascatfish

The defensive end has been a struggle for Boston this season. They’re now last in the league in DefRtg after finishing sixth last year. Sure, the Celtics miss Jae Crowder and Al Horford, but Olynyk’s IQ should help going forward. Of the rotation players last year, Olynyk lead the team with a 97.7 DefRtg. He doesn’t wag his finger like Mutombo or fit like a Glove, but KO is very good at reading offenses and protecting space.



bob



.

Although he had no stats to speak about in his first game of the season, it was good to see him out there and not hesitating in anything that he tried to do.

He has improved every year since being drafted and will improve again this year once he gets his feet on the ground.   This guy is under-rated too often for what he does add to his team.  He is never likely to be a super star type of player, but will have a more than ten year NBA career.

best 3 point shooter on this team last year and now.

one of the best 3 point shooting big men in the NBA.

when Horford comes back , he better be ready to do the dirty work inside that this team needs. ( not that I think he won't).

Game #2 featured this stat line:

30 mins, 6-11 FG, 3-5 on 3's, 4-4 FT's, 19 pts, 7 rebs, 3 asts, 1 stl, +25

THAT is a healthy Kelly O, with what we all see as below average D but Stevens praised to high heavens and stats at least show he is average at. 

I went into this season expecting 22-26 mins, 11-14 pts, 6-7 boards, 2-3 assists, 1 block, 1 steal, 55% FG shooting, 40% 3 point shooting and 85% FT shooting from Kelly O and last night showed that and more could be realistic as long as (knock on wood) he can stay healthy.