Kelly Olynyk vs. Boris Diaw

[Celtics18]

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.

Yeah, it's Boris' athleticism and dunking ability that has made him so effective for the Spurs in these playoffs. 

[D.o.s.]

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.

I agree with you, but I'd say Diaw can play any position in the front court, a notion base on when he was with the Suns, playing a lot of center (esp. in the absence of Amar'e.)

[Rakulp]

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

Here's a reminder.

That was 4:12 of pure awesome there.  Sometimes it ain't pretty, but keep building that confidence and I believe KO will be VERY special for the Celtics.

Rak

[kozlodoev]

Diaw got drafted as a potential PG, and spent 2 years in Atlanta as a guard before he ended up in Phoenix. There isn't really much room for comparison with Olynyk -- Diaw just a completely different combination of skill, strength, and mobility.

[Fafnir]

Nothing like a highlight video to shut down a conversation.

[footey]

If the Spurs-Heat series has taught us anything, it's the importance of having 5 good passers on the floor at the same time.  The ball movement has been spectacular.

Also, it calls into question that you need 2-3 superstars to win a championship.  Of their original big 3, only Parker is playing at what I would call an all star level. Duncan and Ginobli have become good role players.  Leonard is a budding star, but not consistent enough to be put on that elite level. Green?  Come on, look at his resume. He was cut by Cleveland for cripe sakes. 

All of our excitement of getting Love makes me wonder if we are too hung up on checking the boxes on having 2-3 all stars in order to win a championship.  Maybe what we need to do is make sure that we have a coach and GM who uses the Spurs blue print for success, rather than that of the 2008 Celtics or the current Heat. 

The times they are a changin'.

[Celtics18]

Nothing like a highlight video to shut down a conversation.

I couldn't think of a better way to remind you of the ball skills that he possesses.  Sorry. 

I mean, c'mon, you guys have to admit that Kelly Olynyk's ball skills and passing skills are superb for a seven footer.  Maybe Boris is slightly better, but it's not by much.  And, I challenge any one to name five bigs currently playing in the league who have better ball handling skills than Kelly Olynyk. 

[Jailan34]

Nothing like a highlight video to shut down a conversation.

I couldn't think of a better way to remind you of the ball skills that he possesses.  Sorry. 

I mean, c'mon, you guys have to admit that Kelly Olynyk's ball skills and passing skills are superb for a seven footer.  Maybe Boris is slightly better, but it's not by much.  And, I challenge any one to name five bigs currently playing in the league who have better ball handling skills than Kelly Olynyk. 

Maybe eventually KO's ball handling skills will be better, but take a minute to appreciate what Diaw has been doing in the finals against the heat, not just in a bunch of regular season games where players may or may not be coasting.

[Celtics18]

Nothing like a highlight video to shut down a conversation.

I couldn't think of a better way to remind you of the ball skills that he possesses.  Sorry. 

I mean, c'mon, you guys have to admit that Kelly Olynyk's ball skills and passing skills are superb for a seven footer.  Maybe Boris is slightly better, but it's not by much.  And, I challenge any one to name five bigs currently playing in the league who have better ball handling skills than Kelly Olynyk. 

Maybe eventually KO's ball handling skills will be better, but take a minute to appreciate what Diaw has been doing in the finals against the heat, not just in a bunch of regular season games where players may or may not be coasting.

I absolutely appreciate what Boris Diaw is doing. 

[Tr1boy]

Diaw is better but ko is good for his size.

Diaw is a 6'9 fwd that can dribble/pass better than some guards, now can shoot the ball much better, smart defender and is a very good rebounder.

He has turned into an unathletic lebron james if you think about it. Or lebron james at 36 or 37 years old

Spurs are stacked with talent

[Section301]

Nothing like a highlight video to shut down a conversation.

I couldn't think of a better way to remind you of the ball skills that he possesses.  Sorry. 

I mean, c'mon, you guys have to admit that Kelly Olynyk's ball skills and passing skills are superb for a seven footer.  Maybe Boris is slightly better, but it's not by much.  And, I challenge any one to name five bigs currently playing in the league who have better ball handling skills than Kelly Olynyk.

"superb"? 

He has nice ball handling skills, even good, but superb seems a stretch at this time.  As far as five bigs with better handles, I can think of 3 without even leaving the teams that are still playing - LeBron, Duncan, and the aforementioned Diaw.  Off the top of my head, I'd say Joakim Noah , Garnett and Pau Gasol have better handles.  Dirk Nowitzki too.  Oh and Blake Griffin is pretty good driving to the rim, and David Lee doesn't suck....there.  you asked for 5, I gave you 8 without actually doing any research. 

KO is a nice little player.  He could be a solid sixth man some day.  Like Boris Diaw. 

[obnoxiousmime]

Besides the fact that they both can pass and KO may have a similarly high basketball IQ I don't see the comparison at all.

[Endless Paradise]

Nothing like a highlight video to shut down a conversation.

I couldn't think of a better way to remind you of the ball skills that he possesses.  Sorry. 

I mean, c'mon, you guys have to admit that Kelly Olynyk's ball skills and passing skills are superb for a seven footer.  Maybe Boris is slightly better, but it's not by much.  And, I challenge any one to name five bigs currently playing in the league who have better ball handling skills than Kelly Olynyk.

"superb"? 

He has nice ball handling skills, even good, but superb seems a stretch at this time.  As far as five bigs with better handles, I can think of 3 without even leaving the teams that are still playing - LeBron, Duncan, and the aforementioned Diaw.  Off the top of my head, I'd say Joakim Noah , Garnett and Pau Gasol have better handles.  Dirk Nowitzki too.  Oh and Blake Griffin is pretty good driving to the rim, and David Lee doesn't suck....there.  you asked for 5, I gave you 8 without actually doing any research. 

KO is a nice little player.  He could be a solid sixth man some day.  Like Boris Diaw.

TP

[Celtics4ever]

Yeah, it's Boris' athleticism and dunking ability that has made him so effective for the Spurs in these playoffs.

Athletic ability helps in every physical aspect of the game.  It creates space, allows you to move.   It is not the end all, technique helps a lot but your comparing apples and oranges in regards to KO and Diaw.   Diaw can also guard guys that KO can not.

Got to love the greenshaded world view of Celticsblog.   I think Humph is like Blake G because both are muscular and can dunk. JK But that is as silly as KO and Diaw.

[Rondo9]

Yeah, it's Boris' athleticism and dunking ability that has made him so effective for the Spurs in these playoffs.

Athletic ability helps in every physical aspect of the game.  It creates space, allows you to move.   It is not the end all, technique helps a lot but your comparing apples and oranges in regards to KO and Diaw.   Diaw can also guard guys that KO can not.

Got to love the greenshaded world view of Celticsblog.   I think Humph is like Blake G because both are muscular and can dunk. JK But that is as silly as KO and Diaw.

Diaw isn't the athlete he was, because of weight and age. The reason why the Spurs were effective with Diaw, was because of Diaw's passing abilities.