I really liked Olek Balcerowski in Summer League:

[liam]

I really enjoyed watching Balcerowski in Summer League. I liked the way he moved, his screens, and his court awareness. He seems like a promising young big. I also think he'd be much better with better talent around him.


https://celticswire.usatoday.com/2023/07/17/nba-boston-celtics-olek/

[W8ting2McHale]

I really enjoyed watching Balcerowski in Summer League. I liked the way he moved, his screens, and his court awareness. He seems like a promising young big. I also think he'd be much better with better talent around him.


https://celticswire.usatoday.com/2023/07/17/nba-boston-celtics-olek/

I didn't watch any of the games, but when viewing Walsh and Davison highlight clips Olek stood out to me for the reasons you mentioned.

It's difficult to judge bigs in summer league but other than 3 point shooting he looks like a solid prospect and moves better than expected. Or at least better than the other summer league bigs, like the Celtics or Lakers ran out.

His foul frequency was a bit high, but that just might be summer league officials.

[Celtics4ever]

For just 10 cents a day, you could help Liam get glasses JK

I did not care for him, unathletic, plays below the rim. Not a good rebounder for his size.  The kid does know how to set a screen though, but is not ready for the NBA by any means

[gouki88]

I liked parts of his game. Screen-setting & positioning on rebounds and offence were good. His defence and athleticism got exploited a bit though - can rim protect okay, but isn't good laterally.

Don't think he'll make it in the immediate future, but he was alright.

[tonydelk]

Olek had moments but that's about it.  He had a lot of plays where he just put his arms up and really didn't alter or defend the shot.  He has good movement skills could be a deep bench player if he had time in the G league.  If he wants to play in the NBA I think he needs to be around NBA coaching. 

I wanted to see Bodon play and was surprised he only got run during the last game.  He had some bad turnovers but his other moments he looked just as good if not better then anyone not named Walsh or Scrubb.

[SHAQATTACK]

I hear he likes Liam too. 

[footey]

Pass.

[liam]

Olek had moments but that's about it.  He had a lot of plays where he just put his arms up and really didn't alter or defend the shot.  He has good movement skills could be a deep bench player if he had time in the G league.  If he wants to play in the NBA I think he needs to be around NBA coaching. 

I wanted to see Bodon play and was surprised he only got run during the last game.  He had some bad turnovers but his other moments he looked just as good if not better then anyone not named Walsh or Scrubb.

I wish we got to see a lot more of Valerio-Bodon. He looked interesting.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

His interior defense was pretty bad. The size and mobility are definitely interesting, but it wasn't translating to solid contests, cutting off drives, blocks, etc.

[liam]

His interior defense was pretty bad. The size and mobility are definitely interesting, but it wasn't translating to solid contests, cutting off drives, blocks, etc.

I don't disagree. I think he'll improve and I think he'd function better in a team defense. I'm not saying he was NBA ready. I just thought that he showed a lot of very good abilities for a 3rd string center. That 3 point shot would have to be respectable for him to have a chance. 

[A Future of Stevens]

I too am a sucker for 7+ footers who are fluid movers. But if Ayton taught me anything, it's that there is a lot more to basketball haha.

[smokeablount]

Sure, invite him to Camp. He did some good things, and we have a 2 way left.

I also saw enough from Justin Bean to invite him to camp. I thought his skills as a shooter, cutter, connector and surprisingly playing some solid D can translate to the pros, albeit in a deep bench role.

I like others also thought the Valerio-Vodon guy was interesting in his one game and I’d bring him to Camp too.

Let those guys (and anyone else) battle it out for the last 2 way.

[Roy H.]

As a roster cut to be sent to Maine?  Sure.  I didn't see any great NBA potential, but I've got no problem populating the Maine team with quasi-prospects.

[radiohead]

If i read it right, Olek has a live contract with his European club. Any team that wants to bring him in would need to buy his contract out. 

[liam]

If i read it right, Olek has a live contract with his European club. Any team that wants to bring him in would need to buy his contract out.

He's probably a year or two away anyway. I thought he was a total stiff coming in but was pleasantly surprised. He's still a 22 year old big man.