So this best passing big thing is a really interesting idea.
In the last 30 years, only 5 bigs (F-C) have averaged at least 5 assists a game.
Webber (twice)
Vlade
Schrempf
Jeff Ruland
And
Boris. Diaw.
http://bkref.com/tiny/fHGVb
I love saying the name Detlef Schrempf, and I loved watching him play, but he was no Big.
Yeah I was about to say. Definitely a SF.
Nice list though. Like I was saying, Olynyk reminds me of Vlade.
Vlade does come to mind, as does Scola, but so does Brad Miller. If he ends up more 5 than 4 he could end up being a rich man's Brad Miller...and that's really pretty good!
For Sullinger, West doesn't seem like a great comparison to me. In fact, Scola might be a better comparison for Sully than Kelly. Somebody mentioned post injury Chris Webber, and I think that might be a good comparison for Sullinger, too.
Yeah, I see Sully somewhere in the Scola mold. I don't see that with Olynyk though. I just think he is really skinny, and I don't see that much room on his frame to get much bigger.
One guy who comes to mind with Olynyk is Rashard Lewis. Younger Lewis was much more athletic, which made him a more dangerous player, but as he got older, I think he ended up right around where Kelly will be. Really a true stretch 4. Can do a little of everything, but his biggest weapon is his shot. He doesn't have the strength to play in the post regularly, but he has the skills to go down there against certain matchups and do some damage.
Right now, Olynyk's best skill is definitely passing and how well he moves on the floor. He can shoot too but if you aren't picking a comparison who is a great passer then you're missing out on his best aspect, to me.
Not that it's a big deal just saying. Hence my Vlade comparison.
And my Miller. Miller was a very good passer out of the high post, fairly good jump shooter, fairly good rebounder, average defender, could go low post from time to time, but seemed to have the (unfair) rep of being a bit soft when battling in the paint. Miller stood 6'11" and weighed in at 245 lb. I think Kelly matches up pretty well with everything Miller could do, plus he has much better handles and potentially a better 3 pt shot...hence my thought he could turn out to be a rich man's Brad Miller.
Hum, maybe you're right that does sound like Vlade, doesn't it? Fewer blocks, more points, though.
Miller was a BANGER though. He made his name in Sacramento as a passer from the high post, but what made him such an effective player was his physicality and his rebounding to go along with that midrange shot and passing ability.
I just don't see Olynyk ever being able to be that kind of physical presense.
Also, I would be shocked if he was a "rich man's" Brad Miller. That is VERY high expectations. I think people tend to forget that he was one of the best centers in the league for a number of years for Indy and Sacramento.
The Vlade comparison is interesting too, but again, he was such a strong player...at least older Vlade. Younger Vlade wasn't as strong, but he was also in an NBA that wasn't nearly as strong and athletic. A lot of his effectiveness came from how well he could hold his spot in the post, and then pass out of it.
I just think Olynyk is a much more mobile player than both of those guys...because he has to be. Those guys were able to be successful as relatively stationary offensive players. I just don't see that with Olynyk. He is something who I think you will see coming off screens, and working hard to get open, because he just won't be able to get the spot he wants otherwise.
