Kelly Olynyk vs. Boris Diaw

[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.

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.

There are significant differences between them as players. You would never dream of using KO as a point guard, right?

[NorthernLightning]

I think you guys might be surprised at how good of a scorer KO can be out of the high post as well as a passer.

He can get his shot off just about at will, and as long as he's feeling confident and not hesitating, like after the all star break, he's going to be a real #1 or #2 scoring option as well as a facilitator.

This is part of why I want to draft Aaron Gordon, because I want KO and Sully to be on the court as much as possible, and that will only work if they get tons of help on defense and the boards from the SF position.

I hope KO comes into camp at 245-250, but we'll see.

[86MaxwellSmart]

why does it seem like Boris Diaw has been in the league for like 20 years already...?

[fitzhickey]

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

I read somewhere that Lebron said when Manu, Parker, Mills and Diaw are on the court it's like having to guard four PG's at the same time.

Don't think Kelly will ever be regarded as a point forward

[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.

There are significant differences between them as players. You would never dream of using KO as a point guard, right?

Yes, there are differences between Boris Diaw and Olynyk.  I started this thread because I've marveled at the play of Boris Diaw in these playoffs, and it got me to thinking that a multi-faceted, versatile, offensively skilled big man can be a really valuable weapon if used correctly.

And, I thought; hey, we've got a young guy who fits a lot of that description.  Like Boris Diaw, he's not very athletic, but he is very skilled.

I think Kelly Olynyk can be a valuable member of the future of the Celtics.  We shall see. 

[86MaxwellSmart]

I noticed that KO just needs to Play...and not think too much...he was Tentative early on---but,when he went with his BB instincts--he was pretty awesome.....Confidence.

[footey]

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

I read somewhere that Lebron said when Manu, Parker, Mills and Diaw are on the court it's like having to guard four PG's at the same time.

Don't think Kelly will ever be regarded as a point forward

Don't think you have watched Kelly play.  He is an excellent passer, has great court vision.

[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

I read somewhere that Lebron said when Manu, Parker, Mills and Diaw are on the court it's like having to guard four PG's at the same time.

Don't think Kelly will ever be regarded as a point forward

The way KO can dribble vs Diaw is diff. Diaw can dribble at all directons, hesitation, crossover, change speed. KO due to his size cant do all of this. Mainly straight line. But he is still good at passing on the drive and is a good passer from the perimeter bc he can see over ppl

But man diaw with those ridiculous around the body passes will get defenses running around everywhere

[SHAQATTACK]

Boris has very polished game and has had longer to master his craft .

Diaw ...is like most of the role players Pop gets,  he makes the most out of a players talents , as he puts together a team.

Diaw may not fair so well on poorly coached teams or on any other team than the Spurs , as often us he case when player leave from San Antonio for greener pastures .....they flop.

Unfair comparison given , the coaches, experience , and other factors that make the Celtics and Spurs different.

KO ...could be a star playing in place of splitter or Diaw ...just can't tell

[Celtics18]

Boris has very polished game and has had longer to master his craft .

Diaw ...is like most of the role players Pop gets,  he makes the most out of a players talents , as he puts together a team.

Diaw may not fair so well on poorly coached teams or on any other team than the Spurs , as often us he case when player leave from San Antonio for greener pastures .....they flop.

Unfair comparison given , the coaches, experience , and other factors that make the Celtics and Spurs different.

KO ...could be a star playing in place of splitter or Diaw ...just can't tell

It's not magic.  There's no reason Brad Stevens shouldn't be able to implement a system that utilizes Kelly Olynyk's skill set. 

[nzea]

why does it seem like Boris Diaw has been in the league for like 20 years already...?

It's because he's been around the league to a bunch of small market teams. IDK why but it has that effect.

[fitzhickey]

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

I read somewhere that Lebron said when Manu, Parker, Mills and Diaw are on the court it's like having to guard four PG's at the same time.

Don't think Kelly will ever be regarded as a point forward

Don't think you have watched Kelly play.  He is an excellent passer, has great court vision.

You tell me who regards KO as a point forward

[wahz]

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.

It's not just that Diaw is underrated by fans. He has been wildly underrated by various managements and coaches. And this has gone on for around a decade. He has also played 834 games in 11 season.  To me, he is a good example that there are a whole lot of talent evaluators who are really clueless

[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.

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.

There are significant differences between them as players. You would never dream of using KO as a point guard, right?

Yes, there are differences between Boris Diaw and Olynyk.  I started this thread because I've marveled at the play of Boris Diaw in these playoffs, and it got me to thinking that a multi-faceted, versatile, offensively skilled big man can be a really valuable weapon if used correctly.

And, I thought; hey, we've got a young guy who fits a lot of that description.  Like Boris Diaw, he's not very athletic, but he is very skilled.

Which is where the videos of young Diaw come in -- When Diaw was Olynyk's age, he was athletic.

I think Kelly Olynyk can be a valuable member of the future of the Celtics.  We shall see.

Fair enough. I'm in no rush to trade him.

[Celtics18]

Yes, there are differences between Boris Diaw and Olynyk.  I started this thread because I've marveled at the play of Boris Diaw in these playoffs, and it got me to thinking that a multi-faceted, versatile, offensively skilled big man can be a really valuable weapon if used correctly.

And, I thought; hey, we've got a young guy who fits a lot of that description.  Like Boris Diaw, he's not very athletic, but he is very skilled.

Which is where the videos of young Diaw come in -- When Diaw was Olynyk's age, he was athletic.

[/quote]

Athletic is a relative term here.  Sure, Boris was more athletic than Olynyk at age 22, but even then he wouldn't have been considered a top level athlete by NBA standards.  He also wasn't seven feet tall.

That said, I did look at some videos from Diaw's early days in the league, and my reaction was; it's too bad he never developed more of an outside shot and that he never was able to keep himself in optimal physical condition.  He could have been really special if he had done both of those things. 

Given Boris Diaw's talents, I would say that despite his solid career, he's probably underachieved.