Can we talk about Olynyk? Is he an elite shooter? Can he be a go-to scorer?

[gpap]

No and no.

Olynyk is a good role player.

Do you mean off the bench?  What is a "role player"?  All players have a "role" on the team.  I know Danny has used this term too, but not sure what it really means.  That he is not going to be leading scorer on the team?  Well, I think we are seeing a guy who has the ability.  Not sure if he has the personality though, like Bird, for example, who from day one, you knew he was going to be the team leader.

Exactly. In my mind, Olynyk's ceiling is a useful 6th man who can give you some offense and decent rebounding.

IMO, he's not an elite shooter or go-to player.

[Asher77]

Oly appears to have a very measured personality as he seems to improve and learn slowly but at an amazingly steady rate. I think last year he began to open it up and got his shot blocked a few times. He now appears to be overly cautious but slowly dialing in the distance and aggressiveness he can have without creating a turnover for his team. I saw a lot of emotion from him in last nights game, they went away from him offensivly in the 4th and it seemed to p--- him off.
He has gotten better on offense and defense, learns from mistakes without repeating them. It is amazing where he is at in only his 2nd year.

He is an elite shooter, if you hit 60% you are elite, covered or not. A scorer he is not yet and a go to player in isolation, no. I think he can be both of these as he gains experience with the fall away and continues to perfect his fakes and loved him actually going up strong.

[clover]

No and no.

Olynyk is a good role player.

Do you mean off the bench?  What is a "role player"?  All players have a "role" on the team.  I know Danny has used this term too, but not sure what it really means.  That he is not going to be leading scorer on the team?  Well, I think we are seeing a guy who has the ability.  Not sure if he has the personality though, like Bird, for example, who from day one, you knew he was going to be the team leader.

Exactly. In my mind, Olynyk's ceiling is a useful 6th man who can give you some offense and decent rebounding.

IMO, he's not an elite shooter or go-to player.

On what do you base that assessment?

[D.o.s.]

His offense is ok, defensively is another matter.

Sounds like a prior skeptic.

How so? He's certainly not someone I'd feel comfortable sending out for his defensive prowess.

[DarkAzcura]

I don't think KO is elite but I do think he needs to shoot more.  would much rather see him putting up 15-18 shots a game than AB. 

he's a very good passer, best ball handler for a big man that I'm seeing in the league right now, has great hands and is really good at finishing around the basket.  What I'm not liking is his D (although to me it seems he's gotten a little better this year), rebounding seem soft (and he doesn't box out as well as he needs to) and he's far too tentative on offense.  looks to pass far more often than he should, especially when he's wide open for a shot.

If he gets more assertive in taking open shots, plays more in the post to vary his game and improves his D, I think he'll be a really good 6th man.  I don't think he'll get to the point where he'd be a better starter than Sully at PF though

If Olynyk was more assertive with his shot and improves his D, you are likely looking at a 20-22 PPG player. I'm not sure how that player only has potential to be a really good 6th man who isn't better than Sully as a starter. I like Sully a lot better than I did a couple years ago, but his offensive game is limited compared to Olynyk. Sully is probably always going to be the guy that explodes certain nights depending on match ups and the opponent's length. Olynyk is the guy who should be able to play his game against any team in the league and won't be as affected by lack of length as Sully currently is.

I think people here who are saying Olynyk is just a role player or a great 6th man one day are not understanding how insane 14.4 PPG on 70% TS is after going 12 PPG on 60% TS post all star break last year. At this point, his efficiency isn't a low sample size. If he was only a little more assertive you are probably looking at a 55-57% TS player who is putting down 18-20 PPG, which is really good. If you are averaging 12-14 PPG and people are telling you that you aren't shooting enough, you are not just a bench player with decent offensive potential. Sorry.

[timpiker]

He can't be a crunch time player because he can't create off the dribble.  He can do anything else....except bang with big bodies.

[DarkAzcura]

He can't be a crunch time player because he can't create off the dribble.  He can do anything else....except bang with big bodies.

First of all, what big men are expected to create off the dribble?

Second of all, are you serious? Olynyk probably has some of the best handles for a big man in the league. He's averaging close to 2 APG and is getting them off of dribble drives every now and then which is unheard for a bigman. It's funny that we have two of them honestly.

[Snakehead]

He can't be a crunch time player because he can't create off the dribble.  He can do anything else....except bang with big bodies.

First of all, what big men are expected to create off the dribble?

Second of all, are you serious? Olynyk probably has some of the best handles for a big man in the league. He's averaging close to 2 APG and is getting them off of dribble drives every now and then which is unheard for a bigman. It's funny that we have two of them honestly.

I think he has clearly shown an ability to attack the rim after pump faking (which he gets people to bite on) and either pass or shoot which is impressive for a guy his size as well.  He is doing pass fakes to freeze defenders.   He has a spin move off the dribble.  That's high level for a 7 foot player.

I personally think he's been outstanding offensively the only question is consistency over a longer period.  He also needs to get his fouls down.  And stay aggressive.

[DarkAzcura]

He can't be a crunch time player because he can't create off the dribble.  He can do anything else....except bang with big bodies.

First of all, what big men are expected to create off the dribble?

Second of all, are you serious? Olynyk probably has some of the best handles for a big man in the league. He's averaging close to 2 APG and is getting them off of dribble drives every now and then which is unheard for a bigman. It's funny that we have two of them honestly.

I think he has clearly shown an ability to attack the rim after pump faking (which he gets people to bite on) and either pass or shoot which is impressive for a guy his size as well.  He is doing pass fakes to freeze defenders.  That's high level for a 7 foot player.

Exactly. I am so confused by that post. If there is one thing Olynyk has shown he can do, it's create off the dribble. Reminds me of a buddy of mine who was surprised when Olynyk hit a 3 in pre-season. It seems there are a few people who are letting KO go under the radar for some reason in terms of his skill set. It's really odd because then on the other side of the token, I see people falling in love with Sully for skills he has not been to produce consistently whatsoever.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Is it safe to say that Kelly is a poor mans Pau Gasol with not to much defense?

His skill set for a big man is great, he can shoot and extend the defense and he's got good feel for the game. Defense still needs work of course, but offensively, he can contribute in so many ways.

I don't mind having a poor man's Pau.

[Snakehead]

Olynyk is also having good games against some of the best big man defenders in the league lately.  That also should be said.

Indiana, OKC, Bulls.  Not bad.

[GetLucky]

Is it safe to say that Kelly is a poor mans Pau Gasol with not to much defense?

His skill set for a big man is great, he can shoot and extend the defense and he's got good feel for the game. Defense still needs work of course, but offensively, he can contribute in so many ways.

I don't mind having a poor man's Pau.

I see where you're going, but I'd be ecstatic if Olynyk ever developed three quarters of the post game that Gasol has.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Is it safe to say that Kelly is a poor mans Pau Gasol with not to much defense?

His skill set for a big man is great, he can shoot and extend the defense and he's got good feel for the game. Defense still needs work of course, but offensively, he can contribute in so many ways.

I don't mind having a poor man's Pau.

I see where you're going, but I'd be ecstatic if Olynyk ever developed three quarters of the post game that Gasol has.

I mean he's not as graceful as Pau, but you can see the skill set there. Soft touch around the rim, good footwork, court vision and ball handling for a big.

He will never be as good a shot blocker as Pau with his short arms, but offensively, i mean if he's not close, he's there.

[Snakehead]

Is it safe to say that Kelly is a poor mans Pau Gasol with not to much defense?

His skill set for a big man is great, he can shoot and extend the defense and he's got good feel for the game. Defense still needs work of course, but offensively, he can contribute in so many ways.

I don't mind having a poor man's Pau.

I see where you're going, but I'd be ecstatic if Olynyk ever developed three quarters of the post game that Gasol has.

I mean he's not as graceful as Pau, but you can see the skill set there. Soft touch around the rim, good footwork, court vision and ball handling for a big.

He will never be as good a shot blocker as Pau with his short arms, but offensively, i mean if he's not close, he's there.

He doesn't have the low post ability of Pau at this point but Pau doesn't have three point range which Olynyk has.  It's a big weapon in his game and it's what opens up the floor for him to do other things (like drive).  Because he isn't quick enough to drive otherwise but his shot is what opens it all up.

[footey]

His offense is ok, defensively is another matter.

Sounds like a prior skeptic.

How so? He's certainly not someone I'd feel comfortable sending out for his defensive prowess.

His scoring efficiency is more than "ok".  That is like Obama saying the Republicans had a good night. And I'm a Democrat.