Kelly-Top Soph?

[The One]

So there's been a lot of talk about Rondo, Marcus, Avery, Sully, even Tyler...but I don't want to forget about our ponytailed wonder!   

I think Kelly, if given the minutes, could have the best stats from all of the draftees from 2013.  He looked particularly good in March and April of last year.  He also seemed very confident and comfortable in the Summer League, which isn't easy to do for a big.  We know that the SL is very heavy on guard play, which sometimes gets raggedy.

It won't be easy for Kelly to rise to the top of the sophs, as far as media perception, because he's not the highlight reel that Bennett, Oladipo, or Noel are so he might get lost in the shuffle.  But I am certain that he will have a good season showing a lot of progess and with the right situation - starter, fourth quarter closer, offense running through him some - he could be the TOP SOPH!

If that happens, I think the Celtics future will certainly look a lot brighter, with our 7-foot ponytailed wonder!

What do you guys think...can Kelly be the top soph in the 2014-15 NBA season?

Go Kelly!

[JBcat]

I expect to see improved play but tough to call him the best soph where he might not even start on our team.  I expect Oladipo, MCW, and the Greek freak to be up there.

[footey]

I liked him the first SL game, but became increasingly disappointed with his subsequent performance, although his stats were decent.  He just seemed completely clueless with the ball once he was in the key, and showed a lack of confidence once he stopped his dribble.

I worry that Kelly is destined to be primarily a stretch 4 off the bench when we are looking for some 3 point buckets in a hurry. Kind of like what Raef LaFrentz became for us, although Kelly is a better 3 point shooter. 

Hope I am wrong about this assessment.  Hope that he just kind of got bored in SL and is waiting to reveal a better inside game when the season starts.  I did not get to see the end of last season, except for a few highlights, and would be curious to learn whether his improved offense was primarily created from the outside, or was he able to create space with drives down the middle.

[D.o.s.]

I suspect Nerlens will have better numbers than Olynyk, since we're going by 'class of 2013'

[indeedproceed]

I suspect Nerlens will have better numbers than Olynyk, since we're going by 'class of 2013'

I doubt he's better than Oladipo, MCW, Giannis, Noel.

[slamtheking]

I'd be thrilled if that were the case but I think there will be several others who'll have better years.  If he can become more decisive on offense (which will hopefully translate into a more successful scorer) and better on D, I'd be satisfied with that much improvement

[coffee425]

it'll all depends on how long he stays on the floor.
he can't be the top soph if he's the 7th guy off of a bad team's bench :|

[Fred Roberts]

Dieng should post up some pretty good rebounding stats this season, in a rotation w/ Pekovic. MCW will be posting most of Philly's stats this year, and Noel will get tons of playing time as well.

I think Kelly has a chance to top 10 PPG, 6.5 RBS this season. He's unlikely to be the top SOPH, but if he continues on an upward trajectory, how can anyone complain? He's definitely not breaking 12 PPG, 8 RBS this season. My guess is that's his upside potential stat-wise this season.

[kozlodoev]

Is a kelly top something like a spaghetti top?

[aingeforthree]

I suspect Nerlens will have better numbers than Olynyk, since we're going by 'class of 2013'

I doubt he's better than Oladipo, MCW, Giannis, Noel.

Probably right about Oladipo & Noel.  I feel Kelly will be far better than the other 2.

[PaulAllen]

I think with the state of the team now his minutes will incrase to 30mpg.. In that light I look for him to put up 14ppg 8rpg 1.5spg

[coffee425]

I think with the state of the team now his minutes will incrase to 30mpg.. In that light I look for him to put up 14ppg 8rpg 1.5spg

if Sully keeps at his eating pace, kelly will definitely get 30 mins

[Boris Badenov]

Defense, defense, defense.

[86MaxwellSmart]

I noticed he played better in the Summer League, when he had his hair tied back.

He'll have a great year---if he avoids fouling out.

[LarBrd33]

I think we're going to see a lot of the 2013 Draft class redeem themselves this year.

Just in watching Summer league (yes I know it's only summer league), you can see a marked improvement in several players.   

Nerlens Noel is going to be a ROY candidate this year... so he alone will make that draft class look better in retrospect.

Otto Porter looked fantastic.  That kid never got an opportunity.

Anthony Bennett is in far better shape and showed real signs of the potential he was drafted for.

Ben McLemore will eventually start hitting shots.  His form is juicy and he's super athletic.  I think he'll show great improvement.

Oly was fantastic towards the end of last year... his shooting percentages over the last two months were great.  He could average 14-16 points on this lotto squad if he gets promoted to starter.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was was extremely aggressive and proved he's a natural scorer.  He was already getting minutes for his defense... it'll be interesting to see if his new coach gives him some offensive opportunities.

CJ McCollum looks great.  He was another guy who was injured early last year and didn't get a major opportunity.  Not sure where he'll get minutes behind Lillard, but that kid has game.

Shabazz Muhammad is a scorer.  Depending on what happens to K-Love, you could see him suddenly thrust into a key starting position on a rebuilding squad.

Greek Freak continues to show incredible potential.

I know everyone looks at that class as one big cesspool of busts, but most of those kids are still extremely young and have potential to show major improvement.