Kelly growing up

[Sketch5]

He needs a hair cut.

He can't do that. It's where he gets his lift and hang time from. You take that away and he'll never get off the ground!

But the kid has been playing well, I've even notice him barking at players for not being in the right places or missing catch's on good passes. Last year he was the guy being barked at. He's really improved himself on the court. At summer league, I wasn't sure he got better, but the first hand full of games playing against some good bigs, he looks like he belongs. A world beater? No, but he's a great piece to have.

[Neurotic Guy]

Always have liked him, but still am not sure what he'll be in this league.  Games like last night are very encouraging.   The things that worry me have to do with things he may not be able to improve, like quickness/craftiness near the rim or on drives.  We've seen a couple of drives lately where his passing skills (threat of pass) have created space in the lane and I have notice more ball shifting in mid-leap, but he seems limited in what he can do to elude defenders once he leaves the ground -- his thrust is not exactly nuclear and his arms don't move quickly or have the length to sky over defenders. 

[Surferdad]

KO showed something last night. He is much more mobile than either Noah or Gasol and is not afraid to mix it up underneath. I really like to see him on the break where his PG skills are effective.  Oh, and he DOES have a low post game just didn't see it much last night. He can do an up-and-under move and a Dirk-like turnaround fadeaway.  You can see he hit the weight room this offseason as his guns are noticeably bigger.  He still needs to work on two things in the weight room: (1)more lower body strength so he can hold his own in the defensive low post and (2) more hand strength so he can hold onto loose balls and also not get stripped so much.

We were all just thinking the last few games that this team does better against weaker front lines (for example the Toronto game with both Valencunis and A.Johnson out) but that is not really true if Stevens does the matchups right.  He finally put KO with Zeller to match up with Noah/Gasol and it worked. I know this is a KO thread but don't you just love the Pressey-Zeller connections?  Tyler never seems to miss if he gets the ball near the rim. 

[JumpingJudkins]

All very encouraging. He just needs to take five more shots a game. He's our most efficient scorer, but too often he passes up open shots to give the ball to Marcus Smart, Phil Pressey, et al for lower percentage 3-pointers.

[Jailan34]

In just an extra 7 minutes per game KO has increased his ppg by 4.7 his rebounds by 2.1 and his steals by .5. Also, so far his shooting percentages are greatly improved. Hes taking more 3's and making more 3's. I think hes developing nicely and could be on track to be more than a "complementary guy".

[Tr1boy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGdcbMShwco

[blink]

KO is definitely the most unique player on the roster.  His shooting % have been out of this world at the start of the year.  I doubt those will last, but if he can be a real threat from the 3 point line all year it opens up things so much on O.  When he is hitting the 3 it creates so much space for him to fake the 3 and get to the basket, or use his passing skills to find the open man.

He is also setting much better picks this year.  I am super excited about his development.  The big picture is still muddy with him and sully and no rim protector, but I for one hope we don't trade KO or Sully this year and see how much each can improve.

[Snakehead]

He at times has not rose to the physical occasion but on offense he has been great.  I've been high on him but I think his rebounding is exceeding my expectations.  His defense definitely needs work but his strengths give our team a unique advantage.

I'd rather not bang inside with some of these teams because we just lose at that game.  We don't have the personnel.  Spreading the floor lets our guards and wings attack and our bigs shoot and they are doing that well so far.  Olynyk in particular.  And I think it is legit.

[Mr October]

Through 6 games, Kelly is shooting 60 percent from the field, and rebounding the heck out of the ball.

Based on the griping on this board you would think he is playing like Adam Morrison or something.

[Snakehead]

KO is definitely the most unique player on the roster.  His shooting % have been out of this world at the start of the year.  I doubt those will last, but if he can be a real threat from the 3 point line all year it opens up things so much on O.  When he is hitting the 3 it creates so much space for him to fake the 3 and get to the basket, or use his passing skills to find the open man.

He is also setting much better picks this year.  I am super excited about his development.  The big picture is still muddy with him and sully and no rim protector, but I for one hope we don't trade KO or Sully this year and see how much each can improve.

A lot of people talk about this and I understand.  But my point in response is unless the rim protector center we can get is top level (like say Marc Gasol) I like our current group.  Yes there are weaknesses inside but there are interesting strengths. 

If we have very good perimeter defense and rebounding from our guards we can overcome interior weaknesses some.  And our bigs open up the floor for the team and I think we see so far it's hard for a team to cover two big who can shoot threes.  They simply break down and won't get out to cover both at some point if you move the ball.

Everyone is trying to say teams are "this year's Suns" but I think we are actually pretty similar with how Frye opened up the floor.  Except overall I think Olynyk and Sullinger are both better players that have more to their game.  Not that Frye was or is a stiff.  They are providing the same type of strength to the team and doing well in an open offense.

I think both players have good potential and I would be happy letting them stay and start.  Not saying our team is close to title contention but they are a good combination that allows to run an offense that seems to be pretty effective.  And they both will improve.

[footey]

Bill Walton look.....needs beard ....more tuff ness

Yeah, too bad he can't grow one.

[mgent]

Olynyk is my second favorite Celtic.

[Celtics18]

Olynyk is my second favorite Celtic.

Mine too

[Granath]

Bill Walton look.....needs beard ....more tuff ness

Kelly has skills and nice balance for a 7 ft man, but some of the WNBA centers would push him around

He needs more big man attitude around the rim .   Call for the ball in the low post.  Catch and turn and dunk.  Stop with the little flips every time around the rim, that's guard play,  make their players understand ....respect me or I'll dunk on you. 

Noah has the mental tuff ness KO lacks and KO has the fine basketball touch NOAH lacks .

He's not a "dunk on you" player and he never will be. His game is a finesse game with touch, positioning, shooting ability and some nifty moves. There's nothing wrong with playing like that either because he's effective. If he tries to man up on bigger players, he's playing into their hands. I don't care if the opposing players respect him so long as he keeps putting up double doubles.

[LarBrd33]

Olynyk is my second favorite Celtic.

Mine too

I think I agree.  Or at least, he's the one I'm most intrigued with right now.  I don't want to jinx the dude, but he looks like an elite NBA shooter.  This is a collection of talent that really lacks elite skills.  Rondo is an elite passer.  Smart and maybe Bradley look like elite defensive guards.   Oly is potentially an elite shooter.  Beyond that, we have a lot of average talent.   

Since the all-star break last season, Oly has been lighting it up.  Last 26 games of the season:  51%/43%/82% ... 12 points, 6 boards in 22.5 minutes ... First 6 games of this season:  13 points, 7 rebounds, 61%/53%/83% in 27 minutes ... It's reason to be excited. 

Last week when I created that "rank the celtic talent" thread, 44 people responded and Kelly finished 5th.  I was one of only 3 people to rank Kelly as the 2nd best player on the team.  I realized it might be a reach, but I really don't know.  IF given the same amount of minutes and shot opportunities as Green, Bradley and Sullinger... why are we sure that Olynyk wouldn't outperform them?  Right now, Oly is averaging 8.5 shot attempts per game.  He takes less shots than Rondo (9.4), Sully (13.2), Bradley (13.5) and Green (16.2).   is that why his shooting percentage is so high??   I don't know.  But I'm curious to see what happens if Oly was getting 16 shot attempts per night like Green.  Also curious to see what would happen if he wasn't forced to play a position he clearly is not suited for.   I think in the debate between "keep Sully or Oly", it's a lot closer than people think.  Their per-36 points/rebounds numbers are about identical.  I'm really not sure which one will have a brighter long-term future, but right now I'm leaning towards Oly.