I think olynyk at worse can avg 7 rb in the nba.
Based on what? Kelly averaged 7.3 rebounds per game in college, playing in a conference where a lot of teams are lucky to have a guy who is 6'8".
Rebounding is one of those things that translates well between college and the NBA. If you are a mediocre rebounder in college, than you will be in the NBA.
I think Kelly will be right in line with Bargnani on the boards.
Rebounding translates, Olynyk's rebounding was better by rate than totals due to his relatively low minutes total for a "star" at Gonzaga.
Offensive % 11.8
Defensive % 20.54
Sullinger's for comparison
Offensive % 12.42
Defensive % 23.89
I don't expect him to be a star rebounder, but he should be better than Bargs if it translates at all....
I agree that rebounds translate. However, there are exceptions, and I think Olynyk could be one...at least for his first few years. And that is for 1 reason. He won't be in the post.
At Gonzaga, he was able to play a lot of time in the post. He played Center, and played down low, and was able to, because he was facing college competition (and mid major competition). But, in the pros, he just isn't strong enough to play in the post, and his size isn't going to be the advantage it was in college.
As a 7 footer, who played inside a lot, he was still a mediocre college rebounder. In the pro's, he is going to not have the length advantage nearly as much, and I am willing to bet he will be spending most of his time away from the basket, both on offense, and defense. They will pair him with guys like Sully, who are better in the post defensively, and have him chasing around perimeter guys. It is going to pull him away from the basket, and make him an even worse rebounder, because he is not quick enough to chase down long rebounds consistently.
I think Olynyk could potentially put on more weight, and become more of a true center, spending more time down low, kind of in a Krstic mould. But, it would come at the cost of quickness, and I am not sure he can handle giving up too much more of that.
I think KO's best chance of success in the league, is really embracing the stretch 4 role, which has become very common in the NBA these last few years. And this is going to keep him from ever being much of a rebounder, or post player. But if he can perfect that 3-point shot, he could have a long career as kind of a rich man's Steve Novak.
Topic: Kelly Olynyk 2013-2014 predictions. (Read 45132 times)