Kelly Olynyk vs. Boris Diaw

[Celtics18]

This is a spin on the thread entitled "Kyle Anderson vs. Boris Diaw."  I have long thought that Diaw might be the best comparison out there for our own Kelly Olynyk.

Watching Boris Diaw's contributions to this Spurs run has done nothing but confirm my desire to keep our big, skilled Canadian as a part of our future. 

Having a big man who can put the ball on the floor and pass the ball, if used well, is obviously a big plus.  I happen to think that in addition to bringing a lot of the skills that are similar to what Diaw brings to the table, Olynyk is a better scorer and outside shooter.

[Fafnir]

Diaw is much more skilled with the dribble and as a passer than Olynyk. Makes him a different sort of threat, but yes offensively that's the sort of role that'd make him a big time impact player.

[nzea]

This is a spin on the thread entitled "Kyle Anderson vs. Boris Diaw."  I have long thought that Diaw might be the best comparison out there for our own Kelly Olynyk.

Watching Boris Diaw's contributions to this Spurs run has done nothing but confirm my desire to keep our big, skilled Canadian as a part of our future. 

Having a big man who can put the ball on the floor and pass the ball, if used well, is obviously a big plus.  I happen to think that in addition to bringing a lot of the skills that are similar to what Diaw brings to the table, Olynyk is a better scorer and outside shooter.

He'd be a great third big off the bench for a contender. He can really exploit match ups which gives your lineup a lot more versatility.

[D.o.s.]

Diaw has also been criminally underrated for his entire career -- the guy got traded for Joe Johnson after Johnson had a season that made him look like a max contract player. Its not like he's a scrub: just not a guy who's going to do very much as your best player (as we saw in Charlotte).

[Celtics18]

Diaw is much more skilled with the dribble and as a passer than Olynyk. Makes him a different sort of threat, but yes offensively that's the sort of role that'd make him a big time impact player.

I call poppy cock on the notion that Diaw is much more skilled with the dribble and as a passer than Olynyk.  I don't think you were paying close enough attention to how skilled with the ball Kelly Olynyk is and what kind of vision he has. 

[Celtics18]

Diaw has also been criminally underrated for his entire career -- the guy got traded for Joe Johnson after Johnson had a season that made him look like a max contract player. Its not like he's a scrub: just not a guy who's going to do very much as your best player (as we saw in Charlotte).

I partially agree.  I think he's been underrated for his career, but I'm not sure it reaches the level of criminality. 

[CFAN38]

The are different players who are best served filling the same niche at on offense.

Diaw is a 4/3 where KO is a 4/5. They both are best suited as 3rd bigs in a rotation and give alot of intangibles on offense. Both a great passers at their position and create space on the floor for teammates. On the defensive end Diaw is currently fare superior to KO. But with strength and development I think KO will be serviceable guarding the post but he will never defend the perimeter anything like Diaw.

[Tr1boy]

Nice topic. KO def can bring some of the things Diaw can on the court. But it depends if Rondo is willing to share the ball distribution responsibilities

[pearljammer10]

Diaw has also been criminally underrated for his entire career -- the guy got traded for Joe Johnson after Johnson had a season that made him look like a max contract player. Its not like he's a scrub: just not a guy who's going to do very much as your best player (as we saw in Charlotte).

I partially agree.  I think he's been underrated for his career, but I'm not sure it reaches the level of criminality.

Criminally underrated. I'll never forget the days leading up to the Draft in 2013. There was a lot of talk that the Celtics would pick Boris and I was more than on board with it. He obviously never had what it takes to be a number one or two guy but his skill set and IQ is a perfect for for any contender.

Always been one of my favorite players, glad to see he has found his role to fit on the Spurs and he is finally getting recognition for simply playing his game.

And to address the OP I do like the comparison even if I think KO and Diaw have different skill sets. Olynyk can shoot the ball a bit better and make a better offensive contribution. Boris is a play maker and makes good things happen with the ball in his hands. KO is a great passer however, not sure if he sees the floor as well as Diaw.

[HomerSapien]

Is Olynyk more similar to Diaw or to a guy like Brad Miller?

Or maybe he's kind of a combo of both.  At the end of the day these comparisons are semantics anyway, but KO is probably more agile and has better handles than Miller (who had no handles if I remember correctly), but he may never actually be able to be a primary ball handler and guard 3/4/5 like Boris can.

Either way, nice guy to have in the mix.

[Celtics18]

Nice topic. KO def can bring some of the things Diaw can on the court. But it depends if Rondo is willing to share the ball distribution responsibilities

I think that Rondo and Olynyk have games that will complement each other very nicely.  Rondo needs to get back to moving better off the ball.  Something that he has shown that he is very adept at.  I thought he got away from that a bit in the past couple of seasons, but if he can be surrounded by players who are good drivers and passers, and if coach Stevens can implement a system that relies on player and ball movement, I definitely think he can get back to showing his off the ball ability. 

[Celtics4ever]

I call poppy cock on the notion that Diaw is much more skilled with the dribble and as a passer than Olynyk.  I don't think you were paying close enough attention to how skilled with the ball Kelly Olynyk is and what kind of vision he has.

<<<<<PINCH>>>>>>  WAKE UP  YOUR ALL DREAMING>>>>>

Diaw is a much more athletic driver than Kelly.  He is quicker and creates better separation than Kelly.  Both have nice handles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6krSELkLfE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7c3xLuPddk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Ue4dFjOjA

Diaw can dunk better than Kelly and clearly is the better leaper and vertical.  Kelly does NOT bring that kind of athletic ability to the table.  They are bigs that can pass and dribble but they are very different players folks.

[Fafnir]

Diaw is much more skilled with the dribble and as a passer than Olynyk. Makes him a different sort of threat, but yes offensively that's the sort of role that'd make him a big time impact player.

I call poppy cock on the notion that Diaw is much more skilled with the dribble and as a passer than Olynyk.  I don't think you were paying close enough attention to how skilled with the ball Kelly Olynyk is and what kind of vision he has.

I watched Olynyk plenty, Diaw is more confident with the ball and just has a better handle. Olynyk is a good passer for a PF, but Diaw is talented enough with the ball that the Hawks tried to play him at PG/"Point" Forward when he was a rookie.

The Suns used to use him to run their offense when it wasn't pick and rolls with Nash too. Remember Diaw is shorter than Olynyk, its much easier to have a good dribble when you either have long arms or are lower to the ground.

[Celtics18]

Diaw is much more skilled with the dribble and as a passer than Olynyk. Makes him a different sort of threat, but yes offensively that's the sort of role that'd make him a big time impact player.

I call poppy cock on the notion that Diaw is much more skilled with the dribble and as a passer than Olynyk.  I don't think you were paying close enough attention to how skilled with the ball Kelly Olynyk is and what kind of vision he has.

I watched Olynyk plenty, Diaw is more confident with the ball and just has a better handle. Olynyk is a good passer for a PF, but Diaw is talented enough with the ball that the Hawks tried to play him at PG/"Point" Forward when he was a rookie.

The Suns used to use him to run their offense when it wasn't pick and rolls with Nash too. Remember Diaw is shorter than Olynyk, its much easier to have a good dribble when you either have long arms or are lower to the ground.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d36nVUG67pA

Here's a reminder. 

[Vox_Populi]

Diaw is much more skilled with the dribble and as a passer than Olynyk. Makes him a different sort of threat, but yes offensively that's the sort of role that'd make him a big time impact player.

I call poppy cock on the notion that Diaw is much more skilled with the dribble and as a passer than Olynyk.  I don't think you were paying close enough attention to how skilled with the ball Kelly Olynyk is and what kind of vision he has.

I watched Olynyk plenty, Diaw is more confident with the ball and just has a better handle. Olynyk is a good passer for a PF, but Diaw is talented enough with the ball that the Hawks tried to play him at PG/"Point" Forward when he was a rookie.

The Suns used to use him to run their offense when it wasn't pick and rolls with Nash too. Remember Diaw is shorter than Olynyk, its much easier to have a good dribble when you either have long arms or are lower to the ground.

Diaw doesn't have stroke like Olynyk, but he definitely has a better handle.