Olynyk = DPOY?

[ahonui06]

Defensive awards are a huge popularity contests so unfortunately no but KO has vastly improved his D.

[crimson_stallion]

KO, the advanced stats mystery machine

Pretty much sums it up.


Kelly single-handedly breaks advanced stats.  No idea what to make of it.

Honestly, he just does a lot of good stuff out there that doesn't go on your typical box scores.

Normally you see this and you think it's an error or something, but when you watch Kelly play (i mean REALLY watch him), he does so many small things out there.

Sets screens, draws charges, tips rebounds to other guys, plays great positional defense, runs out hard to contest every single perimeter shot that goes up, draws defense in on his drives (then kicks it out to open shooters).

I was watching the other day and I swear that Kelly Olynyk came in and had a hand in about 6 consecutive possessions that Boston won. 

On one end there was what looked like a certain layup on a drive to the basket and KO slid over  (arms up) on the perfect angle and forced the defender to put up an off-balance-while-falling-out-of-bounds shot.  Shot missed and Boston got the ball.  Then back on O he drew a defender out to the perimeter, pump faked (defender went up), drive to the basket (defense collapsed on him), then passed out to an open Jerebko in the corner for a three.

Now that whole sequence was a 5 point turnaround in Boston's favor, yet all Olynyk gets on the box sheet is 1 assist, and a +3.

If he does stuff like that on 4 straight possessions he might end up with 2 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound...but he'll be like +12. 

From memory he had about 5 or 6 straight possessions like that and we went from a tied game to a double digit lead in something like 3 minutes of game time.

The only other guys on the team who I see leading us on runs like that are Thomas (when he gets hot) and Turner (who does a similar thing to KO).

It's odd because Olynyk isn't that quick, he isn't that strong and he has the same wingspan as RJ Hunter...and yet he constantly gets stops against guys who should be physically (and talently) dominant players.

Oh and yes, I know 'talently' isn't a real word, but I couldn't think of one word that meant the same thing so I figured I'd just roll with it lol

[Tr1boy]

I wonder where the KO bashers are at now?

I knew he was going to become a solid player once he gains experience and builds a pro body.  But he could become even better

Alot of what he does on the court does not show on the boxscore

[KeepRondo]

I wonder where the KO bashers are at now?

I knew he was going to become a solid player once he gains experience and builds a pro body.  But he could become even better

Alot of what he does on the court does not show on the boxscore

His mid range game is really good.

[Snakehead]

He is not winning DPOY anytime but he is actually pretty good now I do think.  I have always liked him and thought he had potential on D but didn't expect him to look this good right now.  He does a great job moving his feet and being in the right place which is a lot of the battle.

He also is active in passing lanes for steals and so are a number of players on the team.  I think our bigs benefit off the defense of others (to their credit) and get steals.  Sullinger had 4 tonight himself.  Crowder is a guy who has grabbed a lot of steals too based on his defense but mostly jumping passes, stripping guys, and grabbing loose balls.  I think Turner is making a nice impact doing this too. I would love to see how many steals were based on another players deflection of a pass on the team.

Anyways it is a group effort although I think Smart has been our best defensive player for sure from my opinion watching the games.  Not sure exactly what the stats say but he did a great job chasing Korver the other night and I think he did good work on Westbrook tonight.  Two different players to cover too but he did well with both.

[Ogaju]

KO, the advanced stats mystery machine

Pretty much sums it up.


Kelly single-handedly breaks advanced stats.  No idea what to make of it.

Honestly, he just does a lot of good stuff out there that doesn't go on your typical box scores.

Normally you see this and you think it's an error or something, but when you watch Kelly play (i mean REALLY watch him), he does so many small things out there.

Sets screens, draws charges, tips rebounds to other guys, plays great positional defense, runs out hard to contest every single perimeter shot that goes up, draws defense in on his drives (then kicks it out to open shooters).

I was watching the other day and I swear that Kelly Olynyk came in and had a hand in about 6 consecutive possessions that Boston won. 

On one end there was what looked like a certain layup on a drive to the basket and KO slid over  (arms up) on the perfect angle and forced the defender to put up an off-balance-while-falling-out-of-bounds shot.  Shot missed and Boston got the ball.  Then back on O he drew a defender out to the perimeter, pump faked (defender went up), drive to the basket (defense collapsed on him), then passed out to an open Jerebko in the corner for a three.

Now that whole sequence was a 5 point turnaround in Boston's favor, yet all Olynyk gets on the box sheet is 1 assist, and a +3.

If he does stuff like that on 4 straight possessions he might end up with 2 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound...but he'll be like +12. 

From memory he had about 5 or 6 straight possessions like that and we went from a tied game to a double digit lead in something like 3 minutes of game time.

The only other guys on the team who I see leading us on runs like that are Thomas (when he gets hot) and Turner (who does a similar thing to KO).

It's odd because Olynyk isn't that quick, he isn't that strong and he has the same wingspan as RJ Hunter...and yet he constantly gets stops against guys who should be physically (and talently) dominant players.

Oh and yes, I know 'talently' isn't a real word, but I couldn't think of one word that meant the same thing so I figured I'd just roll with it lol

LOL I wonder how many of us you made read your post all over to look for where you used 'talently'. LOL!!!

[littleteapot]

Olynyk does a lot of stuff that doesn't show up on traditional box scores, such as:
-Letting Steven Adams get an easy offensive board.
-Getting completely ignored by the other team when he's in the paint on offense
-Rotating late and giving up lay ups
-Getting bailed out by his teammates

[Tr1boy]

Olynyk does a lot of stuff that doesn't show up on traditional box scores, such as:
-Letting Steven Adams get an easy offensive board.
-Getting completely ignored by the other team when he's in the paint on offense
-Rotating late and giving up lay ups
-Getting bailed out by his teammates

And he can do these things or get away with things because of his high bbiq. Something Adams is lacking

[JSD]

I mean, I've got him slotted for MVP.. but yeah, a case can be made for DPOY instead.

Yeah, it's almost like KG is 08 at this point.

[DarkAzcura]

KO, the advanced stats mystery machine

Pretty much sums it up.


Kelly single-handedly breaks advanced stats.  No idea what to make of it.

He doesnt break any stat. His advanced numbers have always lined up with my eye test for the minutes he plays. He's never gonna be a guy who plays 35 MPG or whatever but when he plays, he will always make this team better on both ends. He has a better understanding of schemes than almost anyone on this team and is almost always in the right spot offensively and defensively. His rookie year, his defensive positioning was poor, but the improvement he showed in his second year in positioning was awesome. He never got enough credit for it. People would rather talk about hair and pump fakes than focus on the actual good things he does. He's just really smart out there, and it's almost constantly missed.

The real mystery is how Olynyk breaks most Celtics fans' eye test. :p

Honestly just spend 3 or 4 games watching Olynyk on every possession whether he has the ball or not, and you will probably start to notice it. He's always moving. Always setting screens. He's pretty much key to any play Stevens is running whether it be a pick and pop, screen, moving as a distraction, etc. KO follows it all to a T, and it reflects in his advanced numbers. Then watch other front court players on this team, and you will see no other big does as much as KO does off the ball (Amir is a close second in this department). That's why I think it is odd when people say KO is useless when he doesn't take shots. That couldn't be further from the truth. He is so involved in the offense whether he is shooting or not. His defensive positioning has improved a ton since his rookie year also. I was pretty shocked how much he improved in that area between his rookie and second year.

[Tr1boy]

KO, the advanced stats mystery machine

Pretty much sums it up.


Kelly single-handedly breaks advanced stats.  No idea what to make of it.

He doesnt break anything stat. His advanced numbers have always lined up with my eye test for the minutes he plays. He's never gonna be a guy who plays 35 MPG or whatever but when he plays, he will always make this team better on both ends. He has a better understanding of schemes than almost anyone on this team and is almost always in the right spot offensively and defensively. His rookie year, his defensive positioning was poor, but the improvement he showed in his second year in positioning was awesome. He never got enough credit for it. People would rather talk about hair and pump fakes than focus on the actual good things he does. He's just really smart out there, and it's almost constantly missed.

The real mystery is how Olynyk breaks most Celtics fans' eye test.

I disagree.  His defensive positioning was on point from the start.   It's just he was a step late or over helped.  In addition was outmuscled

right now he has built a strong body and should continue to get stronger. He is a step ahead on many occassions also if you watch him closely.   He will help out without getting burnt. 

With his size, IQ and now a pro body it is causing a havoc on the opposition. 

[DarkAzcura]

KO, the advanced stats mystery machine

Pretty much sums it up.


Kelly single-handedly breaks advanced stats.  No idea what to make of it.

He doesnt break anything stat. His advanced numbers have always lined up with my eye test for the minutes he plays. He's never gonna be a guy who plays 35 MPG or whatever but when he plays, he will always make this team better on both ends. He has a better understanding of schemes than almost anyone on this team and is almost always in the right spot offensively and defensively. His rookie year, his defensive positioning was poor, but the improvement he showed in his second year in positioning was awesome. He never got enough credit for it. People would rather talk about hair and pump fakes than focus on the actual good things he does. He's just really smart out there, and it's almost constantly missed.

The real mystery is how Olynyk breaks most Celtics fans' eye test.

I disagree.  His defensive positioning was on point from the start.   It's just he was a step late or over helped.  In addition was outmuscled

right now he has built a strong body and should continue to get stronger. He is a step ahead on many occassions also if you watch him closely.   He will help out without getting burnt. 

With his size, IQ and now a pro body it is causing a havoc on the opposition.

Do you really want to disagree with a fellow KO fan? We are already so few and far between. 

Honestly that's what I'm talking about. I consider being a step late poor positioning. To his credit he improved on this tremendously last season.

[Celtics18]

I get the comedic aspects of suggesting that Olynyk could win DPOY (apparently without a hint of irony or sarcasm); I also get the comedic aspects of Kelly Olynyk on the basketball court at times.

That said, his superb advanced +/- stats over last season and the beginning of this season aren't pure accident.  He brings a lot of skills on both ends, and Brad does a great job putting him in positions that protect his weaknesses and maximize his strengths defensively.

[tarheelsxxiii]

I get the comedic aspects of suggesting that Olynyk could win DPOY (apparently without a hint of irony or sarcasm); I also get the comedic aspects of Kelly Olynyk on the basketball court at times.

That said, his superb advanced +/- stats over last season and the beginning of this season aren't pure accident.  He brings a lot of skills on both ends, and Brad does a great job putting him in positions that protect his weaknesses and maximize his strengths defensively.

Hey, I was at least attempting some sarcasm ... just hard to convey via text. Very happy with his play this year, though

[Greyman]

An excellent example of what CBS can do for a player - help them to make the most of their strengths and limit the impact of their weaknesses. Credit must go to KO too obviously, he is Mr Perpetual Movement while on the court, judging his moves and getting things right.

The positive stats prove he has excellent game IQ and knows how to use his assets without over stretching. When you look at this squad and think, 'we aren't that far from being a real contender, just a player or two' and you think about who you would most easily give up in a trade and who you want to keep, KO is definitely one I don't want to lose. He keeps improving, doing good things and has to be a positive influence all round.

I don't want to see KO in another uniform any time soon.