Olynyk 34pts. 13reb. 2 ass. in loss at buzzer to Venezuela.

[clover]

KO is a point-center. He could be the innovator. Just like Dirk essentially created the stretch-four.

Exactly. I think KO and the C's are still figuring out what they have in him, but Stevens talked last year about how hard working he is and how he wants to be great. It sure looks like he's come a long way in morphing into  a real NBA player since he was drafted two years ago.

[strokeracevt]

This is the best performance that we could have hoped for KO, right? He is a real playmaking big. They are not easy to find. You might call me crazy but I would rather have KO than someone like Andre Drummond. Drummond can only rebound and make putbacks. When most bigs get the ball more than 10 feet from the rim they panic and look to unload the ball. KO can make plays and shoot. KO can do it all including dribble. We might have something here.

[Rosco917]

Very confident and aggressive within the team structure, I even saw an actual jump shot in his game. Wouldn't it be nice to get this KO consistently this year.

[Big333223]

Should Stevens be trying to integrate Olynyk into the playmaking a little more this season?

[Jon]

So here's a question, if Olynyk is primed for a break out year, Sully is finally in shape, and Johnson and Lee come as advertised, does Tyler Zeller play more than spot minutes this year?  And what does that mean for a guy who some on this board are saying we should give a contract around 10 million a year to? 

[nickagneta]

Olynyk has been playing against vastly inferior competition and should have been dominating in this tournament from the start. That he finally had a dominating game against the unbelievably bad front line of Venezuela means exactly squat about how he will play next year. Its the equivalent of a top 2 pick in the NBA Draft having a good summer league game after playing bad to okay for a bunch of summer league games before that.

[SHAQATTACK]

Olynyk has been playing against vastly inferior competition and should have been dominating in this tournament from the start. That he finally had a dominating game against the unbelievably bad front line of Venezuela means exactly squat about how he will play next year. Its the equivalent of a top 2 pick in the NBA Draft having a good summer league game after playing bad to okay for a bunch of summer league games before that.

Well said .    .......KO and Wiggins should be destroying that lousy team EVERY quarter

[clover]

Olynyk has been playing against vastly inferior competition and should have been dominating in this tournament from the start. That he finally had a dominating game against the unbelievably bad front line of Venezuela means exactly squat about how he will play next year. Its the equivalent of a top 2 pick in the NBA Draft having a good summer league game after playing bad to okay for a bunch of summer league games before that.

What we most needed to see from KO was bulked up strength and bulked up confidence. Anyone watching that last Canada game saw just that.

[Monkhouse]

Don't know why its KO that's getting the blunt of harsh criticism when it should also be on Wiggins, and Staukas.

Those two were highly touted prospects with far higher ceiling than KO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=10&v=4bTFE_wrn4I

Watch the video and tell me KO doesn't look stronger and more fluid. I don't care if its inferior competition, blah, blah, blah. Hes still dropping thirty points which is no easy task.

Olynyk has been playing against vastly inferior competition and should have been dominating in this tournament from the start. That he finally had a dominating game against the unbelievably bad front line of Venezuela means exactly squat about how he will play next year. Its the equivalent of a top 2 pick in the NBA Draft having a good summer league game after playing bad to okay for a bunch of summer league games before that.

What we most needed to see from KO was bulked up strength and bulked up confidence. Anyone watching that last Canada game saw just that.

Thank you.

[crimson_stallion]

Olynyk has been playing against vastly inferior competition and should have been dominating in this tournament from the start. That he finally had a dominating game against the unbelievably bad front line of Venezuela means exactly squat about how he will play next year. Its the equivalent of a top 2 pick in the NBA Draft having a good summer league game after playing bad to okay for a bunch of summer league games before that.

How about Wiggins? 

Wiggins won Rookie of the Year and has been hailed as the next big star, yet from what I've seen Olynyk has easily outplayed him in this tournament.

Why is it that all of these criticisms that apply to Celtics players seem to never apply to opposing team's players? 

Why is it that so many Celtics fans are so quick to dump on their own team and players, but then other teams can do no wrong?

Olynyk was a #13 pick, and half the people on here flamed DA when he made the pick.  Wiggins was a #1 pick who most people here would have been happy to give up half the team for.  Yet when they are playing on the same team, in the same tournament, against the same competition, it's own own KO who is the one stepping up and carrying the team. 

How about we just accept (and even embrace) the fact that our big man has some serious skills, and simply knows how to play.  How about we give some credit to the guy for being able to overcome his physical limitation with sheer skill, intelligence and hard work.

Olynyk has already put together two solid seasons as a good rotation player (which is more than you generally expect from somebody taken outside of the top 10).  He works hard off the court (he has seemingly improved his body every of-fseason thus far, if this tournament is anything to go off), he always plays with a team-first attitude,  and has already established himself as the "advanced stats" champion of this team. 

Yet people feel the need to constantly throw dirt on him. Why?

I don't want to hear silly "he's soft" arguments.  Kevin Durant is soft.  Pau gasol is soft.  Kevin Love is soft.  Half the people on this forum would droll over the thought of those guys (in their prime) being a Celtic.  The soft argument is invalid.

At the end of the day, it's quite simple.  People on this forum expect every single player Boston drafts or signs to become an All-Star, and if they don't then they are immediately labelled as "garbage" and thrown out on to the trading block.

Newsflash people: no team has ever had 12 All-Stars on it.  Yes, every team that has won a championship has had at least one guy on the team who made a significant impact despite not being an All-Star.
 
Basically every season Danny Ainge has drafted, he's managed to draft a player who actually contributed something to the team at some point in their rookie contract.  Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Tony Allen, E'Twaun Moore, Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, Marcus Smart, and the list goes on.  You'd be hard pressed to find many other GM's who you could say the same. 

[PhoSita]

So here's a question, if Olynyk is primed for a break out year, Sully is finally in shape, and Johnson and Lee come as advertised, does Tyler Zeller play more than spot minutes this year?  And what does that mean for a guy who some on this board are saying we should give a contract around 10 million a year to?

Well, first of all, it's unlikely that all of the guys you mention will be here beyond this season.   It may be that most of them will not.

Second of all, it's pretty unlikely all of the factors you mention will happen.   In any case, we will probably see Stevens utilize all 5 of those guys, and how many minutes any of them get will depend on matchups.   Zeller will probably get 10 minutes some nights and 25 other nights.   Same for Sullinger and Olynyk.   It's less than ideal, but this is the state of the roster.

[krumeto]

Olynyk has been playing against vastly inferior competition and should have been dominating in this tournament from the start. That he finally had a dominating game against the unbelievably bad front line of Venezuela means exactly squat about how he will play next year. Its the equivalent of a top 2 pick in the NBA Draft having a good summer league game after playing bad to okay for a bunch of summer league games before that.

How about Wiggins? 

Wiggins won Rookie of the Year and has been hailed as the next big star, yet from what I've seen Olynyk has easily outplayed him in this tournament.

Why is it that all of these criticisms that apply to Celtics players seem to never apply to opposing team's players? 

Why is it that so many Celtics fans are so quick to dump on their own team and players, but then other teams can do no wrong?

Olynyk was a #13 pick, and half the people on here flamed DA when he made the pick.  Wiggins was a #1 pick who most people here would have been happy to give up half the team for.  Yet when they are playing on the same team, in the same tournament, against the same competition, it's own own KO who is the one stepping up and carrying the team. 

How about we just accept (and even embrace) the fact that our big man has some serious skills, and simply knows how to play.  How about we give some credit to the guy for being able to overcome his physical limitation with sheer skill, intelligence and hard work.

Olynyk has already put together two solid seasons as a good rotation player (which is more than you generally expect from somebody taken outside of the top 10).  He works hard off the court (he has seemingly improved his body every of-fseason thus far, if this tournament is anything to go off), he always plays with a team-first attitude,  and has already established himself as the "advanced stats" champion of this team. 

Yet people feel the need to constantly throw dirt on him. Why?

I don't want to hear silly "he's soft" arguments.  Kevin Durant is soft.  Pau gasol is soft.  Kevin Love is soft.  Half the people on this forum would droll over the thought of those guys (in their prime) being a Celtic.  The soft argument is invalid.

At the end of the day, it's quite simple.  People on this forum expect every single player Boston drafts or signs to become an All-Star, and if they don't then they are immediately labelled as "garbage" and thrown out on to the trading block.

Newsflash people: no team has ever had 12 All-Stars on it.  Yes, every team that has won a championship has had at least one guy on the team who made a significant impact despite not being an All-Star.
 
Basically every season Danny Ainge has drafted, he's managed to draft a player who actually contributed something to the team at some point in their rookie contract.  Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Tony Allen, E'Twaun Moore, Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, Marcus Smart, and the list goes on.  You'd be hard pressed to find many other GM's who you could say the same.

+ 1000

The grass is always greener ...

[Vermont Green]

This tournament has been great for Olynyk.  I remember he was  great in Summer League his rookie year too but he wasn't able to translate that to the NBA game, at least not consistently.  I think he is much more likely to be able to translate this though and carry it over into the season.

I hope they play Olynyk as the back up center primarily although big rotations will have him playing some PF too.  To do this, he will have to clearly pass Zeller on the depth chart (I am assuming Amir Johnson starts at Center).

I know a guy who went to Gonzaga and was a varsity athlete (not basketball) at the same time Olynyk was there.  He used to workout in the same facility as the basketball team and he would make fun of Olynyk's weight training, implied he didn't work out very hard.  I think Olynyk has experienced some physical maturing in the last couple of years.  This is the time for him to show what he can do.

[fairweatherfan]

Olynyk has been playing against vastly inferior competition and should have been dominating in this tournament from the start. That he finally had a dominating game against the unbelievably bad front line of Venezuela means exactly squat about how he will play next year. Its the equivalent of a top 2 pick in the NBA Draft having a good summer league game after playing bad to okay for a bunch of summer league games before that.

How about Wiggins? 

Wiggins won Rookie of the Year and has been hailed as the next big star, yet from what I've seen Olynyk has easily outplayed him in this tournament.

Why is it that all of these criticisms that apply to Celtics players seem to never apply to opposing team's players? 

Why is it that so many Celtics fans are so quick to dump on their own team and players, but then other teams can do no wrong?

Olynyk was a #13 pick, and half the people on here flamed DA when he made the pick.  Wiggins was a #1 pick who most people here would have been happy to give up half the team for.  Yet when they are playing on the same team, in the same tournament, against the same competition, it's own own KO who is the one stepping up and carrying the team. 

How about we just accept (and even embrace) the fact that our big man has some serious skills, and simply knows how to play.  How about we give some credit to the guy for being able to overcome his physical limitation with sheer skill, intelligence and hard work.

Olynyk has already put together two solid seasons as a good rotation player (which is more than you generally expect from somebody taken outside of the top 10).  He works hard off the court (he has seemingly improved his body every of-fseason thus far, if this tournament is anything to go off), he always plays with a team-first attitude,  and has already established himself as the "advanced stats" champion of this team. 

Yet people feel the need to constantly throw dirt on him. Why?

I don't want to hear silly "he's soft" arguments.  Kevin Durant is soft.  Pau gasol is soft.  Kevin Love is soft.  Half the people on this forum would droll over the thought of those guys (in their prime) being a Celtic.  The soft argument is invalid.

At the end of the day, it's quite simple.  People on this forum expect every single player Boston drafts or signs to become an All-Star, and if they don't then they are immediately labelled as "garbage" and thrown out on to the trading block.

Newsflash people: no team has ever had 12 All-Stars on it.  Yes, every team that has won a championship has had at least one guy on the team who made a significant impact despite not being an All-Star.
 
Basically every season Danny Ainge has drafted, he's managed to draft a player who actually contributed something to the team at some point in their rookie contract.  Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Tony Allen, E'Twaun Moore, Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, Marcus Smart, and the list goes on.  You'd be hard pressed to find many other GM's who you could say the same.

I was with you til the strawman argument about "what the forum expects".  The forum's developed strongly positive opinions of players with no All-Star potential before - Perk and Leon Powe spring easily to mind. 

Outside of that, I agree - Olynyk is a flawed player (who isn't?) but has shown legit big man skills in this league.  He's one of our more promising young players, and advanced stats indicate he's a clear though modest positive, but he's the kind of guy who is very noticeable when he's playing badly and often contributes more subtly when he's doing well.  Plus, it can't be discounted that he plays in a way that appears awkward and occasionally lost.  Add in frequent inconsistency, some injury issues, and the audacity to not be Giannis, and people get frustrated.  But he's perhaps our single most skilled big outside of Lee, and gets severely underrated here.

The reason Wiggins doesn't get the same scrutiny is simple though - he's not a Celtic.  The same reason people care more about Rozier's summer league performance than Towns'.  It would be nice to see people look at those kinds of guys for a little perspective, but ultimately they aren't relevant to the team.

3 weeks til preseason!   

[nickagneta]

Olynyk has been playing against vastly inferior competition and should have been dominating in this tournament from the start. That he finally had a dominating game against the unbelievably bad front line of Venezuela means exactly squat about how he will play next year. Its the equivalent of a top 2 pick in the NBA Draft having a good summer league game after playing bad to okay for a bunch of summer league games before that.

How about Wiggins? 

Wiggins won Rookie of the Year and has been hailed as the next big star, yet from what I've seen Olynyk has easily outplayed him in this tournament.

Why is it that all of these criticisms that apply to Celtics players seem to never apply to opposing team's players? 

Why is it that so many Celtics fans are so quick to dump on their own team and players, but then other teams can do no wrong?

Olynyk was a #13 pick, and half the people on here flamed DA when he made the pick.  Wiggins was a #1 pick who most people here would have been happy to give up half the team for.  Yet when they are playing on the same team, in the same tournament, against the same competition, it's own own KO who is the one stepping up and carrying the team. 

How about we just accept (and even embrace) the fact that our big man has some serious skills, and simply knows how to play.  How about we give some credit to the guy for being able to overcome his physical limitation with sheer skill, intelligence and hard work.

Olynyk has already put together two solid seasons as a good rotation player (which is more than you generally expect from somebody taken outside of the top 10).  He works hard off the court (he has seemingly improved his body every of-fseason thus far, if this tournament is anything to go off), he always plays with a team-first attitude,  and has already established himself as the "advanced stats" champion of this team. 

Yet people feel the need to constantly throw dirt on him. Why?

I don't want to hear silly "he's soft" arguments.  Kevin Durant is soft.  Pau gasol is soft.  Kevin Love is soft.  Half the people on this forum would droll over the thought of those guys (in their prime) being a Celtic.  The soft argument is invalid.

At the end of the day, it's quite simple.  People on this forum expect every single player Boston drafts or signs to become an All-Star, and if they don't then they are immediately labelled as "garbage" and thrown out on to the trading block.

Newsflash people: no team has ever had 12 All-Stars on it.  Yes, every team that has won a championship has had at least one guy on the team who made a significant impact despite not being an All-Star.
 
Basically every season Danny Ainge has drafted, he's managed to draft a player who actually contributed something to the team at some point in their rookie contract.  Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Tony Allen, E'Twaun Moore, Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, Marcus Smart, and the list goes on.  You'd be hard pressed to find many other GM's who you could say the same.

I am sorry but I didn't know this thread was about Wiggins. I am also sorry but I just don't view Olynyk like you do.