2013 Draft: 5 of top 6 picks were big men, Kelly Olynyk outplayed them all

[slamtheking]

a little early to be running comparisons and proclaiming a steal in the draft.  wait until 5 years after the draft and see if he still looks like a steal.  Personally, I think he'll end up being better than his draft position relative to the other players drafted but not by many spots. 

[PaulAllen]

bad teams play their rookies more ..

[Chief Macho]

He just doesn't have the elite athleticism to be a top player in the league.   I'm not even sure he's a starter on a good team.

[NorthernLightning]

He just doesn't have the elite athleticism to be a top player in the league.   I'm not even sure he's a starter on a good team.

He's a 7 footer, silly. He can get his shot off against everybody with his handles, savvy, ambidexterity, and wide variety of moves.

7 footers with ball handling ability and high iq can get their shot off at will.

[PaulAllen]

He just doesn't have the elite athleticism to be a top player in the league.   I'm not even sure he's a starter on a good team.

You dont need elite athleticism to be a great player.. look at Dirk.. no he cant do 360 dunks but he runs the floor really well for a big man, can pass, and has an outside jumper.. those are qualities that are really hard to find..  He has a bright future ahead..

[incoherent]

KO solidifies my faith in Danny being able to find talent outside the top 10 and pick guys that other teams never should have passed on

[Chris22]

I keep saying I don't wanna include Olynyk in a trade for love but people seem to think I'm crazy.

I don't want Love at all.
In six years he couldn't lead the Wolves to the playoffs once.
He isn't worth max money.

[Chief Macho]

He just doesn't have the elite athleticism to be a top player in the league.   I'm not even sure he's a starter on a good team.

You dont need elite athleticism to be a great player.. look at Dirk.. no he cant do 360 dunks but he runs the floor really well for a big man, can pass, and has an outside jumper.. those are qualities that are really hard to find..  He has a bright future ahead..

The thing that separates guys in the nba is athleticism in my opinion.  After equal skills.  Some dudes have athleticism but don't get the skills.  And vice versa.  KO and Dirk aren't in the same league athletically.    If you're comparing KO to a nearing 40 Dirk maybe.   But not when Dirk was young.    I like KO but his slow feet and lanky movement  will always govern his ceiling.   

[Chief Macho]

He just doesn't have the elite athleticism to be a top player in the league.   I'm not even sure he's a starter on a good team.

He's a 7 footer, silly. He can get his shot off against everybody with his handles, savvy, ambidexterity, and wide variety of moves.

7 footers with ball handling ability and high iq can get their shot off at will.

I never said he couldn't get his shot off. But there is more to basketball than getting your shots.  He is just never going to be more than a good player.   You can trade good players. 

[NorthernLightning]

A great scorer is a great player. Ask James Harden.

Who knows to what extent KO will dominate as a scorer in the future, but he absolutely has the skills and the IQ, and both will only improve in the future.

The only thing that could stop KO from being a great scorer is his own confidence or lack thereof.

This is part of why I like Aaron Gordon with our 6th pick, and likely why Brad Stevens said we need to draft defenders.

KO is going to continue to blossom as a scorer, and a more fit Sully will also put up plenty of points from his natural PF position. Both of these guys need max minutes, and their defensive shortcomings can be somewhat covered up with great defense 1-3.

KO can fill that Paul Pierce role to a surprisingly effective degree, especially against slower centers who can't handle him off the dribble from the high post or perimeter.

We really only need a shotblocker off the bench/situational starter.

[GreenWarrior]

you don't need elite athleticism to be a good nba player. that's ridiculous! if that were true  Gerald green would've been an all star for the last 10 yrs. you need brains more than anything.

if you're the last player down the court on every play. no matter how smart you are you won't last. 

[Snakehead]

you don't need elite athleticism to be a good nba player. that's ridiculous! if that were true  Gerald green would've been an all star for the last 10 yrs. you need brains more than anything.

if you're the last player down the court on every play. no matter how smart you are you won't last.

Technically he said "top player" in the league, but I'm trying to understand why Olynyk has to be top player or he's a bust.

Personally I believe in him and think he will be a guy that probably makes an All Star team or two in his career and has a good long career.  He is very skilled for a 7 foot player and his shooting is a big asset.

[crimson_stallion]

There have been plenty of players in the league who have been outstanding despite lack of elite athleticism.

Tim Duncan
Paul Pierce
Larry Bird
Marc Gasol
Zach Randolf
Andre Miller
Steve Nash
Chris Mullen
Steve Smith
Kevin Love
Carmello Anthony


Just to name a few, many others out there.

Olynyk doesn't to become a superstar or an all time great.   If he can be a good starter (say, a 18/9/3 guy)  then Danny should be worshipped for picking him up so low.   Honestly,  I think he has the potential to put up those type of numbers without much trouble.

[boscel33]

I keep saying I don't wanna include Olynyk in a trade for love but people seem to think I'm crazy.

I don't want Love at all.
In six years he couldn't lead the Wolves to the playoffs once.
He isn't worth max money.

I'm saying this about Sully too.  My point is, in a couple of years, I think Sully will be Love.  Since Stevens was signed to a long term deal, nuke it and rebuild.  Sorry, but I'm dealing Rondo as well.

[boscel33]

There have been plenty of players in the league who have been outstanding despite lack of elite athleticism.

Tim Duncan
Paul Pierce
Larry Bird
Marc Gasol
Zach Randolf
Andre Miller
Steve Nash
Chris Mullen
Steve Smith
Kevin Love
Carmello Anthony


Just to name a few, many others out there.

Olynyk doesn't to become a superstar or an all time great.   If he can be a good starter (say, a 18/9/3 guy)  then Danny should be worshipped for picking him up so low.   Honestly,  I think he has the potential to put up those type of numbers without much trouble.

He did 8/5 last year as a rook, who admittedly, at times looked completely lost.