Is Kelly turning the corner?

[tarheelsxxiii]

Is Kelly O turning the corner right now? In 3 of his last 4 games, he has put up some beautiful numbers in 24 mpg:

Chicago: 20 mins, 15, 4, 2, 1, 1 (45% shooting, 40% from 3)
NO: 27 mins, 21, 3, 3, 2, 2 (62% shooting, 40% from 3)
[stinkbomb against SA]
SAC: 25 mins, 21, 4, 4 (75% shooting, 60% from 3)

It was looking like we could be in for a long night tonight until KO starting to tee off from 3.

Also: In wins this season, KO is averaging 11, 2.5, 1, 1; In losses this season, KO is averaging 4, 2.5, .5, .5

His ups and downs are surely frustrating, but the talent is there and his impact seems apparent. I don't recall him having a stretch like this before (I could be wrong), but sure hope it reflects improved consistency. We shall see.

[MJohnnyboy]

If he is turning the corner, then that makes the Celtics' potential all the scarier.

If that's the case, then I hope that when Smart returns, he starts to turn the corner too. My goodness, this team is performing beyond my wildest dreams this year.

[oldtype]

I think his shooting is just regressing to the mean. He was shooting unreasonably badly earlier in the season. (Half our team was, really)

[tarheelsxxiii]

If he is turning the corner, then that makes the Celtics' potential all the scarier.

If that's the case, then I hope that when Smart returns, he starts to turn the corner too. My goodness, this team is performing beyond my wildest dreams this year.

I'm pleasantly surprised, too. The team seems to be becoming more consistent, in general. IT, AB, and team defense have all been solid these past 4. No shame in that lost to SA... we played well. Also looked poised against CHI tonight. Felt like a playoff game.

Agree re: Smart. I hope he returns to bench... we could learn something about how he responds to that. Will he respond like AB? Or continue to struggle?

[tarheelsxxiii]

I think his shooting is just regressing to the mean. He was shooting unreasonably badly earlier in the season. (Half our team was, really)

Good point, he has been a flamethrower during this stretch. But, just looking at tonight, he was stepping into shots and showing much less hesitation than usual. I wonder if he may be finding his comfort zone out there. Am I seeing less of his "deer in headlights" look lately, or am I blinded by optimism?

[moiso]

I think his shooting is just regressing to the mean. He was shooting unreasonably badly earlier in the season. (Half our team was, really)

Progressing to the mean

[BitterJim]

If I had to guess, I'd say he's just having another one of his stretches where he looks like everything we've ever imagined, and within a couple weeks will have a bad stretch and some people will want to cut him.

I hope I'm wrong, but he's be inconsistent for his entire (short) NBA career, and I think that's still the case

[tarheelsxxiii]

If I had to guess, I'd say he's just having another one of his stretches where he looks like everything we've ever imagined, and within a couple weeks will have a bad stretch and some people will want to cut him.

I hope I'm wrong, but he's be inconsistent for his entire (short) NBA career, and I think that's still the case

You're probably right. After a quick search, I saw that he had 30, 21, 15 in 3 consecutive games around this time last year. He did play more minutes at that time, though (30+ in two of the games). Interestingly, though, again all 3 were wins... congruent with the stats above suggesting that he plays significantly better in wins than losses.

Is it that the team significantly benefits when Kelly plays well? Or Kelly plays well when the team is clicking? Perhaps a bit of both.

[crimson_stallion]

Kelly has been a guy who has gone through stretches of outstanding play before, so nothing new here.  I'm a big fan of his game, but three games is way too small a sample size to start drawing any serious conclusions.

At the same time he always seems to start seasons off slow, then take a huge leap in play as we approach the All-Star break. 

If he does keep playing this way, I'll be very happy (and Sully will probably be very gone). 

[tarheelsxxiii]

Kelly has been a guy who has gone through stretches of outstanding play before, so nothing new here.  I'm a big fan of his game, but three games is way too small a sample size to start drawing any serious conclusions.

At the same time he always seems to start seasons off slow, then take a huge leap in play as we approach the All-Star break. 

If he does keep playing this way, I'll be very happy (and Sully will probably be very gone).

Followed up just above that he actually had a similar run around this time last year (as you're alluding to), just in a bit more PT. Also noticed a similar pattern of ~3 successful games with some stinkbombs intermixed over the years. But I guess one can hope.

I am interested in the question of whether he plays better when the team is playing well, or if the team significantly benefits when he is playing well, though. I'm not sure that question can be answered.

[Future Celtics Owner]

If he does turn the corner or gets better then trade him. Indy needs help badly and Myles Turner would be great to get in a deal for KO plus another.

[LGC88]

KO is a rare type of player that fit modern nba play.
His set of skills are long to develop.
He's getting better on both end of the floor.
I expect him to be a very valuable piece on our way to contention.
Can't replace a 7 footer like that easily nowadays.
Definitely a keeper.

[TA9]

Michael Jordan must be crying at the moment. Unbelieveable how he opted for Kaminsky when he could have asked Ainge for Olynyk in exchange for the 10th pick. Oh well

[LilRip]

he's consistently inconsistent, if that means anything. KO is a role player and role players are usually inconsistent. I'm glad he's coming off the bench though. I think CBS has done a terrific job putting players in situations where they can most succeed.

[Celtics18]

Consistency always seems to be an issue for Celtics players. 

Why do we always end up with such inconsistent players?  Why can't we have players like those on other teams, who never have some good games and some bad games, but play exactly the same  every time they step on the court?