SL Game Thread: Celtics at Magic Game 1 7/7

[Sketch5]

Melo will never be an NBA player 

Well actually he IS an NBA player. With an NBA contract and has NBA minutes and a few points.

Now to say that Melo will never be a GOOD NBA player is a little more debatable...


Now this is also showing the impatience of people. Melo has been playing ball for what? Around 8 years? Only the last 5 at a high level. The guy first had to grow into his body. Then when he did, it grew a little too much, so he had to get in shape. And then learn how to play with that new body.

You can see the wheels turning and see what hes about to do or wants to do. Which is part of the learning developing process. You can see he's getting to the right spots, and can get his hands on the ball too. Now that thinking needs to become reactionary and 2nd nature to play in the NBA on a nightly bases.

Will that happen? Who knows. He's much better then he was last year. It doesn't really say much, but he's not digressing.

On possessives OK looked solid. Nice shot, smart with the ball, and doesn't rush things.

Mitchell look really good. Nice shot, nice ups. Need to get rid of Lee and Crawford to make room for this guy. I know its early, but if we are in tank mode he's worth the gamble right now.

[Tr1boy]

Except for the bad defensive game by Olynyk.

His does not move his feet well.  He had six fouls, Nicholason took him to the hole a lot and easily.   I was not a big fan on Oly but offensively he looked steady and capable.   His D though was not solid.   It is to be expected the competition in Summer League he was guarding NBA guys who have made it into the league. Ojapido also took him to hole a few times.  His offense was excellent but he has some things to learn on defense.

There is going to be bumps and struggles along the way. What do you expect from him or anyone coming from college straight into the nba??

He did a good job on the guys he was guarding.

We all know though he is not going to be like a KG or Noel and save anyone else. So if anyone plans to use this as an excuse that Olynyk is bad on defense, you expect way too much

I also didn't see many other bigs trying to contest jump shots by permiter players. Olynyk did several times.

[Smitty77]

Except for the bad defensive game by Olynyk.

His does not move his feet well.  He had six fouls, Nicholason took him to the hole a lot and easily.   I was not a big fan on Oly but offensively he looked steady and capable.   His D though was not solid.   It is to be expected the competition in Summer League he was guarding NBA guys who have made it into the league. Ojapido also took him to hole a few times.  His offense was excellent but he has some things to learn on defense.

I totally disagree.  Ojapido scored on him on a fast break.  Not many guys will stop him on a fast break, period!!  The kids is going to be very good.  Also, Nicholson should have been called for three straight offensive fouls for lowering the shoulder into Oly and then into his jaw on that ONE play.  That was bull crap from the refs.  Kelly played above average defense IMHO today!!

Smitty77

[Sketch5]

Except for the bad defensive game by Olynyk.

His does not move his feet well.  He had six fouls, Nicholason took him to the hole a lot and easily.   I was not a big fan on Oly but offensively he looked steady and capable.   His D though was not solid.   It is to be expected the competition in Summer League he was guarding NBA guys who have made it into the league. Ojapido also took him to hole a few times.  His offense was excellent but he has some things to learn on defense.

I don't think he deserved all 6 fouls, couple were iffy. Nicholason at one point was pounding in and bumping KO and he didn't give round, but called for a bad foul because he didn't flop to get the foul for himself.

And of course Ojapido would take him to the hole, he would take a lot of guys to the hole including a lot of guards.

I think KO has a Dirk type game. Dirks D wasn't that great to start his career, still isn't elite. Team D will help a lot cover for weakness's . A couple times KO got to the weak side just a little too late. Just needs to anticipate that a little more. 

I think people are expecting a little much out of big men these days. You don't get many well rounded guys. I feel more better having KO and weaker D, than hav Jordan and Horrible offense, and can't play at the end of the game because of it.

[TheGreenMonster]

Dionte Christmas playing for Utah against Miami

[Tr1boy]

Except for the bad defensive game by Olynyk.

His does not move his feet well.  He had six fouls, Nicholason took him to the hole a lot and easily.   I was not a big fan on Oly but offensively he looked steady and capable.   His D though was not solid.   It is to be expected the competition in Summer League he was guarding NBA guys who have made it into the league. Ojapido also took him to hole a few times.  His offense was excellent but he has some things to learn on defense.

I don't think he deserved all 6 fouls, couple were iffy. Nicholason at one point was pounding in and bumping KO and he didn't give round, but called for a bad foul because he didn't flop to get the foul for himself.

And of course Ojapido would take him to the hole, he would take a lot of guys to the hole including a lot of guards.

I think KO has a Dirk type game. Dirks D wasn't that great to start his career, still isn't elite. Team D will help a lot cover for weakness's . A couple times KO got to the weak side just a little too late. Just needs to anticipate that a little more. 

I think people are expecting a little much out of big men these days. You don't get many well rounded guys. I feel more better having KO and weaker D, than hav Jordan and Horrible offense, and can't play at the end of the game because of it.

Nice pts. Olynyk still has strengthening up to do.

Mos impressive about him today was how he jump started the offense by setting picks all over the court.

When he was on the court the celts were a plus to even team.

[sofutomygaha]

Yeah 9p, 8r, 1b, 3/5 shooting, +6, 0 turnovers and only 3 fouls in 27 min.  No hope whatsoever 

I only watched the 2nd and 4th quarters, but Melo looked absolutely terrible. Can someone who watched more of the game explain to me how he looked so feeble and yet managed to put up the best +/- on the team?

[Tr1boy]

Yeah 9p, 8r, 1b, 3/5 shooting, +6, 0 turnovers and only 3 fouls in 27 min.  No hope whatsoever 

I only watched the 2nd and 4th quarters, but Melo looked absolutely terrible. Can someone who watched more of the game explain to me how he looked so feeble and yet managed to put up the best +/- on the team?

No clue. Danny imo prob regrets picking him. Thank god we got sully though.

[sofutomygaha]

Now this is also showing the impatience of people. Melo has been playing ball for what? Around 8 years? Only the last 5 at a high level. The guy first had to grow into his body. Then when he did, it grew a little too much, so he had to get in shape. And then learn how to play with that new body.

No offense, but some day Fab Melo is going to be forty and we're going to still be posting on this board saying things like "Be reasonable- Melo has only been playing basketball for 25 years! Most guys his age have played ever since they were little kids!"

He's never going to get those years back!!! They're irrelevant now! He's coming into his physical prime. He needs to be able to play basketball very very soon if he's going to make it.

[hardlyyardley]

Did anyone notice that Fab's game picked up after Sullinger got in his face during a timeout after  he missed a rebound....Fab has a LOOOOONG way to go....but look at Perk back in 04

Olynyk was very very impressive....scored every which way

I actually liked Granger>Pressey

[hpantazo]

Did anyone notice that Fab's game picked up after Sullinger got in his face during a timeout after  he missed a rebound....Fab has a LOOOOONG way to go....but look at Perk back in 04

Olynyk was very very impressive....scored every which way

I actually liked Granger>Pressey

yep, don't give up on Fab yet, he's a long term project much like Perk was, and can be better than Perk imo.

[biggs]

Olynick was a guard before his growth spurt and his body will mature-

KO looked good, except for his lateral speed on defense. I know the scouting reports said he needs to "improve his athleticism" which sounds unattainable, however lateral speed is something that can be improved. 

 I had a massive growth spurt one summer and shot up 8 inches. I went from a guard to a forward and I remember my lateral speed was my biggest weakness, but as I matured my speed and coordination matured as well.  Clearly my experience doesn't mean much, but I can empathize with KO and feel optimistic that he will gain control his new frame and new position as his body matures.

[indeedproceed]

I watched just about the entire second half, and I'd describe Olynyk's defense as, "He played hard, and he tried to play smart, but it didn't really amount to much."

[Snakehead]

On Olynyk's defense, I think we saw a lot of the same issues and concerns with Sullinger and then saw him improve as the season went on.  Both had good footwork but worries about quickness.  A lot of it can just be picking up the speed of the NBA and getting in that shape.

I saw some encouraging things.  He was playing hard.  If he got there faster he could have had a nice charge take in the second for example, he was just a little late.  Sullinger was the same that way.

[BleedGreen1989]

Steve Bulpett: You wouldn't believe the number of text messages praising Olynyk I'm getting from coaches watching this game on TV. Twitter @SteveBHoop