Kelly Olynyk vs. Boris Diaw

[cman88]

Diaw is a much better defender too...remember he can defend 3's as well as 4s. I dont see Olynyk as much of a defender at all.

[Fafnir]

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. 

There are highlight videos of guys who are terrible NBA players though, just not a useful tool. Besides those of us at work can't even watch them typically unless I pull it up on my phone. Really just ends the conversation for me typically.

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.

He does have a good handle/passing for a 7 footer, but they aren't special. Not something that you can build an offense around. Off the top of my head the following guys are better:

Tim Duncan
Al Horford
Boris Diaw
Dirk Nowitzki
Anthony Davis
Blake Griffin
Paul Millsap
Joakim Noah

You could add more on taste of course these are just the "big" big names.

[LilRip]

Diaw can play guard, forward, or center and you can actually run an offense through him. I can kinda see the similarities but KO has a long way to go before he reaches the level of Diaw. I mean, we might as well nickname Avery Bradley as "the Glove" since him and Payton are practically the same player.

[LilRip]

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.

no love for Chris Bosh?  maybe we could even throw Rashard Lewis in there, who pretty much plays the 4 now (or 5 in small lineups).

[D.o.s.]

I mean, we might as well nickname Avery Bradley as "the Glove" since him and Payton are practically the same player.

Hahahahaha

[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. 

There are highlight videos of guys who are terrible NBA players though, just not a useful tool. Besides those of us at work can't even watch them typically unless I pull it up on my phone. Really just ends the conversation for me typically.

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.

He does have a good handle/passing for a 7 footer, but they aren't special. Not something that you can build an offense around. Off the top of my head the following guys are better:

Tim Duncan
Al Horford
Boris Diaw
Dirk Nowitzki
Anthony Davis
Blake Griffin
Paul Millsap
Joakim Noah

You could add more on taste of course these are just the "big" big names.

I never said "build an offense around."  I do think he can be an integral part of an offense, though.

Have the Spurs built their offense around Boris Diaw?

Anyway, I disagree with most of the names on your list, but I don't see how we can prove or disprove that either way. 

[Celtics18]

Rookie Boris Diaw averaged 4.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, .447 FG% in 25.3 MPG for the 28 and 54 Atlanta Hawks.

Rookie Kelly Olynyk averaged 8.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.6 APG, .466 FG% in 20 MPG for the 25 and 57 Boston Celtics. 

[D.o.s.]

Rookie Boris Diaw averaged 4.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, .447 FG% in 25.3 MPG for the 28 and 54 Atlanta Hawks.

Rookie Kelly Olynyk averaged 8.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.6 APG, .466 FG% in 20 MPG for the 25 and 57 Boston Celtics.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2004.html

Diaw was also, basically, playing point guard for that team, so you'd expect his RPG to be deflated.

[Celtics18]

Diaw is a much better defender too...remember he can defend 3's as well as 4s. I dont see Olynyk as much of a defender at all.

I'm pretty sure Boris Diaw was considered a poor defender for the early part of his career.  It's only recently that he's come to be thought of as a decent defender. 

[Celtics18]

Rookie Boris Diaw averaged 4.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, .447 FG% in 25.3 MPG for the 28 and 54 Atlanta Hawks.

Rookie Kelly Olynyk averaged 8.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.6 APG, .466 FG% in 20 MPG for the 25 and 57 Boston Celtics.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2004.html

Diaw was also, basically, playing point guard for that team, so you'd expect his RPG to be deflated.

Boris Diaw is averaging 5.8 rebounds per 36 minutes for his career.  Kelly's already a better rebounder after his rookie season. 

[D.o.s.]

^Probably. Diaw's never been particularly gifted on the boards.

He's getting to be an overrated defender, too, actually -- he can defend 3-5, but he's a smart defender, not a particularly gifted one.

The thing that Diaw is that Olynyk is not (at this point) is a three position mismatch, because he can post up defenders smaller than him, draw larger ones out to the three point line, and pass the ball well enough from either position to be an effective member of the offense from 25ft in.

On the flip side, it's unclear if Kelly can guard anyone, if he can actually make the three, or if his post game will improve to the point that its considered a weapon. Oly could be Diaw 2.0, though, for sure -- and it would be awesome if he was.

here's a good read on Diaw that went up today on NBA.com
http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2014/06/11/diaw-finally-finds-comfort-zone/

[Celtics18]

^Probably. Diaw's never been particularly gifted on the boards.

He's getting to be an overrated defender, too, actually -- he can defend 3-5, but he's a smart defender, not a particularly gifted one.

The thing that Diaw is that Olynyk is not (at this point) is a three position mismatch, because he can post up defenders smaller than him, draw larger ones out to the three point line, and pass the ball well enough from either position to be an effective member of the offense from 25ft in.

On the flip side, it's unclear if Kelly can guard anyone, if he can actually make the three, or if his post game will improve to the point that its considered a weapon. Oly could be Diaw 2.0, though, for sure -- and it would be awesome if he was.

That's what I've been saying. 

And, he already looks like a better shooter and rebounder than Diaw, which is an added bonus. 

[LooseCannon]

Trying to match numbers seems a bit silly to me.

The question to me is: if Olynyk can function as a point forward who works out of the high post and, if so, what kind of role could that sort of player have under Brad Stevens?  Can he be a secondary facilitator of offense next to Rondo in the same way that Paul Pierce was?  The ability to do so at his size is what makes Diaw relatively unique.  If Olynyk can do the same, that is more important than whether or not he is a better defender and rebounder.

[D.o.s.]

Trying to match numbers seems a bit silly to me.

The question to me is: if Olynyk can function as a point forward who works out of the high post and, if so, what kind of role could that sort of player have under Brad Stevens?  Can he be a secondary facilitator of offense next to Rondo in the same way that Paul Pierce was?  The ability to do so at his size is what makes Diaw relatively unique.  If Olynyk can do the same, that is more important than whether or not he is a better defender and rebounder.

Agreed.

[Celtics18]

Trying to match numbers seems a bit silly to me.

The question to me is: if Olynyk can function as a point forward who works out of the high post and, if so, what kind of role could that sort of player have under Brad Stevens? Can he be a secondary facilitator of offense next to Rondo in the same way that Paul Pierce was?  The ability to do so at his size is what makes Diaw relatively unique.  If Olynyk can do the same, that is more important than whether or not he is a better defender and rebounder.

I think he can.  I only started comparing numbers, because I got so many replies indicating that comparing Olynyk to Diaw was way off the mark.