Olynyk as a center?

[nickagneta]

Olynyk is going to play his offensive game the same no matter what position he plays and who is guarding him will be determined by the opposing team's coach. If its a center, I think Olynyk should succeed more than if an athletic PF is guarding him.

Defensively is the problem. He doesn't have the strength, length or initial leaping ability to properly defend down low centers in this league. He also doesn't have the hand speed, lateral movement, strength or foot speed to guard athletic PFs in the league.

So in all honesty, it doesn't really matter what position he plays, his game is going to be one of scoring whatever amount of points and probably giving up just as many on the other end, regardless of position. So the best scenario lies in finding a player that compliments him and allows him to minimize his deficiencies and maximize his proficiencies. If he is playing center then an Ibaka type player alongside him is key. If he is playing PF then a defensive minded center like Omer Asik, Tyson Chandler, Joakim Noah type is preferable to pair with him. Unfortunately, players like that are not on the current Boston Celtics roster.

[puskas54_10]

He is a PF.
When I visualize KO as a center, pictures of Andrea Bargnani trying to defend comes to my mind.

Not sure this is a fair comparison, given that Bargnani has long since stopped trying to defend. He's more apathetic than ineffective.

I think there will be times when KO can play a stretch-five role. Whether that's the norm or the exception remains to be seen.

Bargnani is not a bad player. He just can't defend the paint. On offense he can stretch the defense just like you envision with KO. I don't see the patroling the paint mentality in KO.

Yeeesh... I don't know if I could say that. As a stretch four his best fg% over the last three years 44% with 39% and 42% being his other years. And his 3 has been atrocious at  29%, 31%, and 27%.

He had a couple good scoring years with Toronto and the potential was once there. But I don't think he can redeem himself after the past few seasons he's played. He looks cashed out.

Ok, good is maybe too rich for Barg, but he's not awful. If you refer to his salary compared to his play, then you have a case. It's similar to Gerald Wallace. He's not worth his money, so people say he's worse than plague. You just need to use these guys as role players not cornerstones.

[Csfan1984]

I'd like to see him develop into a decent stretch 5 because can't see him guarding all the good PFs in the league. Center position seems an easier position to guard in today's NBA.