Why did Ainge downgrade Olynyk?

[The One]

I don't understand why he said the following:

“He’s just a really good complementary player. He’s not a go-to guy. He’s not a star player. He’s a really good teammate-type of player for those other guys.”

http://nesn.com/2013/06/kelly-olynyk-nice-piece-to-help-celtics-rebuilding-process-but-far-from-franchise-cornerstone/

Way to instill confidence in the kid, Daniel!

[Rondo2287]

I did wonder the same thing, but it probably is no more harmful than if he said we think he can be a star and then Kelly is overcome with the pressure of the fans and media

[Eja117]

You need to leave some sort of opening for fab mello

[kozlodoev]

You need to leave some sort of opening for fab mello

Better be a huge one, because otherwise he may walk into the frame. Sorry, couldn't resist. 

[saltlover]

Sounds like he's trying to set reasonable expectations.  After having traded KG and Pierce, he knows the fan base is looking for a savior, and doesn't want Olynyk to have to fill those shoes.

[Drucci]

It was obviously done on purpose by Ainge so that Olynyk feels disrespected and becomes an All-Star and All-NBA First team during his rookie season just to prove him wrong.

[Croc Hunter]

I think Kelly would be the first to admit he's no star.

He's a grounded kind of guy and realizes his strengths, weaknesses and limitations.

[The One]

I just find extremely awkward that his new employer is telling the world that he's good but he'll never be that good.

Way to set the bar low, Daniel.

This is more damaging than tanking.

[Moranis]

downgrade from what?

[kozlodoev]

downgrade from what?

I believe the original poster meant to say "degrade".

[clover]

I don't understand why he said the following:

“He’s just a really good complementary player. He’s not a go-to guy. He’s not a star player. He’s a really good teammate-type of player for those other guys.”

http://nesn.com/2013/06/kelly-olynyk-nice-piece-to-help-celtics-rebuilding-process-but-far-from-franchise-cornerstone/

Way to instill confidence in the kid, Daniel!

I've been curious about that in both pressers on the kid too.  May help to keep the pressure off and may set expectations for him to improve defensively and on little things first, but I agree.  You never want to plant into an athlete the idea that he's not a go-to, or pressure situation, guy--especially in the week he's drafted!

Danny's been in an incredibly sarcastic mood since back to his Doc presser, which may reflect his still stinging from the Doc mess.  But I remember last year his being kind of strangely sarcastic to the rooks in their introduction to the press as well.  Maybe just part of the jock rookie-hazing culture.

One more thought: It also in its own weird way may show how much he thinks of the kid, in the way that sometimes only high-potential people can be razzed.  He didn't do any putting down of Iverson.

Sorry, just one more thought: Danny also went out of his way to praise Olynyk's calmness under pressure.  Put that together with his strong shooting, and it was just a weird way for him to try to rein in expectations, I think.

[dreamgreen]

Have to agree, it already makes me feel like he's never going to be more than bench guy.

[paidthecost2betheboss]

I just find extremely awkward that his new employer is telling the world that he's good but he'll never be that good.

Way to set the bar low, Daniel.

This is more damaging than tanking.

He's got height but short arms and he doesn't escape gravity very well. He could be a pick and pop type player in the mold of Garnett. (I almost didn't type that it's not a direct comparison because that is stating the obvious but this is a forum...so...let me state the obvious)

The big IF is we do need somebody to live in the paint and make it theirs. Enter Colton. If all he is asked to do is take charges, set screens and grab whatever is in reach and punish folks on his way to putbacks which btw is his strenghts...then Olynyk can play to his strengths.

What about Fab?

Listen. If you have ever played Basketball or Football and watched folks struggle when you get into "reads" motion, formations and rotations stage of "O" and "D"... seen good athletes become limited by the part of the body that is inside the skull then you see Fab. I am not clowning in any way but I watched a lot of him and he is a bust if being a starter or even a solid bench player is how you see him which is the way Danny saw him.

How he is gone is perhaps being outplayed in Summer league. Maybe in a package is the lord is good to us but he will never be a Celtic and their 1st or 2nd option at 5.

It is Coltons to lose. I wouldn't be surprised if Colton shows his face in the 2nd unit early in the season while Sully eases in to a role he isn't best for anyway which is the 5 in a bruiser way. That time between Sully getting back and becoming a tandem with Olynyk is Colton's chance at the rest of his career and he is surely aware of that.

Make a name in Boston and sign a contract elsewhere for loot based on what you do here now. This is showtime for that kid. Olynyk is a 1st with intentionally downgraded expectations...Colton is a bought 2nd with barely and downside if he fails and a windfall for everybody if he doesn't.

[clover]

I just find extremely awkward that his new employer is telling the world that he's good but he'll never be that good.

Way to set the bar low, Daniel.

This is more damaging than tanking.

He's got height but short arms and he doesn't escape gravity very well. He could be a pick and pop type player in the mold of Garnett. (I almost didn't type that it's not a direct comparison because that is stating the obvious but this is a forum...so...let me state the obvious)

The big IF is we do need somebody to live in the paint and make it theirs. Enter Colton. If all he is asked to do is take charges, set screens and grab whatever is in reach and punish folks on his way to putbacks which btw is his strenghts...then Olynyk can play to his strengths.

What about Fab?

Listen. If you have ever played Basketball or Football and watched folks struggle when you get into "reads" motion, formations and rotations stage of "O" and "D"... seen good athletes become limited by the part of the body that is inside the skull then you see Fab. I am not clowning in any way but I watched a lot of him and he is a bust if being a starter or even a solid bench player is how you see him which is the way Danny saw him.

How he is gone is perhaps being outplayed in Summer league. Maybe in a package is the lord is good to us but he will never be a Celtic and their 1st or 2nd option at 5.

It is Coltons to lose. I wouldn't be surprised if Colton shows his face in the 2nd unit early in the season while Sully eases in to a role he isn't best for anyway which is the 5 in a bruiser way. That time between Sully getting back and becoming a tandem with Olynyk is Colton's chance at the rest of his career and he is surely aware of that.

Make a name in Boston and sign a contract elsewhere for loot based on what you do here now. This is showtime for that kid. Olynyk is a 1st with intentionally downgraded expectations...Colton is a bought 2nd with barely and downside if he fails and a windfall for everybody if he doesn't.

I agree.  Iverson, though just a late 2nd round pick, does IMO have the potential to really blossom in that pairing.  Will be interesting to see.

[LooseCannon]

Take a look at the full quote:

“Kelly was a guy we think complements [Rajon] Rondo and Avery [Bradley] and Jeff ,” Ainge said. “He’s just a really good complementary player. He’s not a go-to guy. He’s not a star player. He’s a really good teammate-type of player for those other guys.”

On the one hand, Ainge is saying that Olynyk isn't going to be a better player than Rondo, which I don't think is a big deal.  On the other hand, I can see some fans freaking out because they interpret that as Ainge saying Bradley can be a star player.