Scal says KO should play the three.

[Celtics18]

When Mike asked him if he thought Kelly needed to get stronger, Scal responded that he thought Kelly should play small forward.

Does anyone agree with this?

For a while, I've thought this might be an interesting notion.  I think the biggest issue would be defensively, but I feel like it might be worth seeing in small stretches.

On the other hand, it might make more sense to just have him be a "point four" going forward.  The power forward position probably is the spot that gives him the best opportunity to exploit mismatches and not get exploited himself on the other end. 

Either way, I don't think his skills are those of a typical big.  He's more than just a "stretch four" in my opinion.  Kelly Olynyk is a serious threat penetrating off the dribble.  He needs to continue to hone his driving and creating skills to maximize his potential. 

[Rondo9]

Kelly's too slow to play the three.

[Chris22]

Scal has had too many concussions.

Young and Crowder should play the three.

[footey]

Yeah, I agree.  I always thought that Olynyk has a similar skill set as Larry Bird, who was played small forward.  Now I am not saying he is nearly as good as Bird, but he is similar in terms of his ball handling and passing skills, and outside shooting, looks to find the open player. I think it's a good observation by Scal. I thought he said Kelly should take more 3's, not play the 3. LOL

[PickNRoll]

SCal should know.  They're kinda similar players. 

I think the risk is that you don't have enough ball handlers or facilitators.  Zeller, Sully, and KO really labor putting the ball on the floor.  If you run out a lineup of Smart, Bradley, KO, Sully and Zeller you would have zero playmakers.

It also feels like KO would get torched by quick 3's, but on this point alone I'd be willing to experiment.  You just never know how things like this play out.  They're all smart players.  Maybe KO finds a way to use his length against 3's?

[Celtics18]

Kelly's too slow to play the three.

Possibly.  His lateral movement trying to stay in front of perimeter players is probably his biggest weakness right now.

I'd like to see him given more opportunity to work on improving that skill. 

[GreenWarrior]

it doesn't really matter where olynyk plays, he can't defend at any position. but scal is right he needs to be the facilitator and a focal point on offense. it's the only way to justify playing him at all.

[Celtics18]

SCal should know.  They're kinda similar players. 

I think the risk is that you don't have enough ball handlers or facilitators.  Zeller, Sully, and KO really labor putting the ball on the floor.  If you run out a lineup of Smart, Bradley, KO, Sully and Zeller you would have zero playmakers.

It also feels like KO would get torched by quick 3's, but on this point alone I'd be willing to experiment.  You just never know how things like this play out.  They're all smart players.  Maybe KO finds a way to use his length against 3's?

I would argue that Kelly is currently one of the top two ball handlers on the team. 

[Beat LA]

Yeah, I agree.  I always thought that Olynyk has a similar skill set as Larry Bird, who was played small forward.  Now I am not saying he is nearly as good as Bird, but he is similar in terms of his ball handling and passing skills, and outside shooting, looks to find the open player. I think it's a good observation by Scal. I thought he said Kelly should take more 3's, not play the 3. LOL

[PickNRoll]

SCal should know.  They're kinda similar players. 

I think the risk is that you don't have enough ball handlers or facilitators.  Zeller, Sully, and KO really labor putting the ball on the floor.  If you run out a lineup of Smart, Bradley, KO, Sully and Zeller you would have zero playmakers.

It also feels like KO would get torched by quick 3's, but on this point alone I'd be willing to experiment.  You just never know how things like this play out.  They're all smart players.  Maybe KO finds a way to use his length against 3's?

I would argue that Kelly is currently one of the top two ball handlers on the team.

Nelson, Turner, Smart are all twice as good.

[Beat LA]

Kelly's too slow to play the three.

Possibly.  His lateral movement trying to stay in front of perimeter players is probably his biggest weakness right now.

I'd like to see him given more opportunity to work on improving that skill.

Lateral quickness isn't like shooting where you get better through practice, it's either you have it or you don't, and dat billy goat just doesn't have it, imo.  I mean, sure, he can continue to work out, watch film, and improve his stamina, etc., but there's only so much you can do.  Plus, his severe lack of lateral quickness wouldn't be the only thing that prevents him from being able to guard 3s - it's his lack of a wingspan, so now, not only can he not move his feet to stay with a guy off of a switch or whatever, but his t-rex arms won't make anyone think twice about driving around him or just shooting it because Olynyk is not a shot blocker.  What a great pick by Ainge (sarcasm).   The only way that you can possibly make up for a being as slow as he is is if he had lightning quick hands like Chris Mullin, or, to a lesser extent, Scott Wedman, but he doesn't have that, either.  Meanwhile, I'm still waiting to see these supposed 'world-beating' post moves that he has, and no, fadeaways don't count.  I mean real moves with his back to the basket.  How in the world did he ever end up with 23 points tonight, anyway, lol?   Sigh.

Btw, if Scal really said that (because I must have missed it), then I'm not taking anything he says even the least bit seriously from now on, lol.   I think his phrase of the night was, "build out to shooters," lol.   Ugh.

[PickNRoll]

SCal should know.  They're kinda similar players. 

I think the risk is that you don't have enough ball handlers or facilitators.  Zeller, Sully, and KO really labor putting the ball on the floor.  If you run out a lineup of Smart, Bradley, KO, Sully and Zeller you would have zero playmakers.

It also feels like KO would get torched by quick 3's, but on this point alone I'd be willing to experiment.  You just never know how things like this play out.  They're all smart players.  Maybe KO finds a way to use his length against 3's?

I would argue that Kelly is currently one of the top two ball handlers on the team.

Some guys, like Zeller, dare not take more than 1 dribble on the perimeter.  KO has similar problems (not as bad) because he's so slow.  It's not necessarily that his handle is bad.  It's pretty good for a 7 footer.  It's just that he's becomes kinda stationary with the ball.  Sometimes he pump fakes at the 3 point line and takes a dribble into a nice shot, but I don't think of him as a facilitator or ball handler or a guy who can really create.  A guy like Pierce on the other hand didn't have a great handle but was exceptional at driving -- he just had a knack for creating space and gaining an advantage.

[Beat LA]

it doesn't really matter where olynyk plays, he can't defend at any position. but scal is right he needs to be the facilitator and a focal point on offense. it's the only way to justify playing him at all.

He really is this generation's version of Michael Smith.  Ugh.

[Beat LA]

SCal should know.  They're kinda similar players. 

I think the risk is that you don't have enough ball handlers or facilitators.  Zeller, Sully, and KO really labor putting the ball on the floor.  If you run out a lineup of Smart, Bradley, KO, Sully and Zeller you would have zero playmakers.

It also feels like KO would get torched by quick 3's, but on this point alone I'd be willing to experiment.  You just never know how things like this play out.  They're all smart players.  Maybe KO finds a way to use his length against 3's?

I would argue that Kelly is currently one of the top two ball handlers on the team.

Some guys, like Zeller, dare not take more than 1 dribble on the perimeter.  KO has similar problems (not as bad) because he's so slow.  It's not necessarily that his handle is bad.  It's pretty good for a 7 footer.  It's just that he's becomes kinda stationary with the ball.  Sometimes he pump fakes at the 3 point line and takes a dribble into a nice shot, but I don't think of him as a facilitator or ball handler or a guy who can really create.  A guy like Pierce on the other hand didn't have a great handle but was exceptional at driving -- he just had a knack for creating space and gaining an advantage.

He also had, and still has, the best footwork in the league.  That's got to count for something, lol.

[PickNRoll]

I'm trying to think if there's any precedent for a guy with these sort of physical limitations blossoming into a solid starter.  Drawing a blank thus far.