How to Find Peace Watching Kelly Olynyk

[CFAN38]

Ive never had the high ceiling hopes for KO that others on this site have. Since his rookie year and still to this day I view him as a player who will hit his ceiling as a 10-12 ppg 4-6rb per 3rd big who can give the offense a unique look because of his skill set and size. I also think he is one of the few bigs on this roster who will have a long term role with the team. 

[PhoSita]

I think the point you bring up misses the whole strength of his game: he is a center.  Especially this year he is playing defense and not giving up anything there, then having his skill against the opposing centers.  Even without a scorers mentality he makes an impact.  Having that space and passing on the floor makes a difference (numbers bear this out for him).

I believe that was my point.

He gives you small forward production at the center spot without killing your defense.  That's got value in an of itself because of how it adds skill and shooting at a position that normally doesn't feature those things.

If people learn to accept that that is what Kelly brings to this team, not the promise of a seven foot top scoring option, or anything resembling a traditional big man, they might feel less frustrated.

Then again, if like Koz suggests, you need your big men to rebound the ball and mix it up inside, you're gonna feel frustrated.


And by the way, yes, it's true that Kelly plays fewer minutes than some of the other guys listed.  Regardless, his production and role in the Celts' offense is similar to how those guys play.  If you look at the game logs for those players, I think  you'll find that they go through similar ups and downs in production.  That's what happens when you're a role player on the wing.


All of this makes sense, too.  Kelly was a smaller player through most of his time learning the game.  He didn't shoot up in height and start playing in the frontcourt until later on.  His mindset, skillset, and overall play style still mark him as a big guard or combo forward.  He just happens to play center.

[CelticGuardian]

I don't think anyone believed he would be more than a role player... he's not reliable enough even with all the matchup problems he causes, he doesn't have it in him

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

If Giannis was picked before KO then I don't think too many people would care but he wasn't so a lot of people haven't gotten over it. Not every player is going to become a star! Hit or miss game.

Side rambling...

I was thinking about how players are thought of regarding what they do/their pay and what We as fans expect from them. Fans want Danny to pay players average player money then they get mad when the player is an average player. Examples: Evan Turner gets paid 3m a year, [dang] near vet min money, yet when he plays like a vet min player we get mad. Avery Bradley gets paid good role player money, but he is blasted for not playing like an All-Star. We get mad at IT4 for not being great at everything when he gets paid like a role player.

I'll keep getting upset when players don't live up to my expectations and be very happy when they do, that's part of the fun of watching sports, but I'm going to try and be more aware that what I want may be a little/very out of touch with reality!

Initial reaction: "[dang] KO did you REALLY think you were about to be Dirk right there, that was dumb!"

Calm realization: While the attempt was dumb and I wish it hadn't happened, KO is not Dirk, I shouldn't be surprised when he doesn't do Dirk-like things! Then I'll be over it.

[PhoSita]

I don't think anyone believed he would be more than a role player... he's not reliable enough even with all the matchup problems he causes, he doesn't have it in him

Clearly plenty of people believed that, or else there wouldn't be so much angst over the fact that he hasn't developed into anything more than that.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I don't think anyone believed he would be more than a role player... he's not reliable enough even with all the matchup problems he causes, he doesn't have it in him

Clearly plenty of people believed that, or else there wouldn't be so much angst over the fact that he hasn't developed into anything more than that.

Amen Pho, he's already a role player, there would be no threads or people upset when he does what he does.

[PhoSita]

To your point above, Shak, I think that people will be more content to let role players be role players when the Celts have some reliable two way All-Star caliber players on the team. 

It's a lot easier to see the virtues instead of the flaws in your supporting cast when you've got some really good players carrying most of the load every game.

Then again, among fans who spend a lot of time scrutinizing every single player on the team, there will probably always be a tendency to get frustrated by how players fall short of their perceived potential, even if their value as role players is significant.

I guess you could say that's kind of what happened with Rondo.  At first it was just really exciting to see this young role player shine while surrounded by Hall of Fame stars.  Then the stars began to decline and Rondo's flaws became more and more apparent.  Fans increasingly saw the distance between the best-case-scenario (Playoff Rondo) and the player Rondo was on a regular basis.

Imagine how delirious people probably would be about Jae Crowder if he were having the season he's having now on a team with multiple All-Stars headed for 55+ wins.  I'd bet you anything people on here would be comparing him to Kawhi Leonard.

[CelticGuardian]

I don't think anyone believed he would be more than a role player... he's not reliable enough even with all the matchup problems he causes, he doesn't have it in him

Clearly plenty of people believed that, or else there wouldn't be so much angst over the fact that he hasn't developed into anything more than that.

I mean, Olynyk is a unique player but I believe DraftExpress mentioned that he projects as complimentary role player and in an underwhelming class, the only people that really thought he was going to light the league on fire was the team executives that traded for him at #13, and of course fans angst could just be drafters remorse...

[nickagneta]

For me it was always his reboundin and softness under the basket. I understand he puts up role player, SF like numbers but. I want my centers and tall power forwards to be able to rebound the ball and play aggressively under the basket. Then once they can do that if they can stretch the floor, it's icing on the cake.

[PhoSita]

For me it was always his reboundin and softness under the basket. I understand he puts up role player, SF like numbers but. I want my centers and tall power forwards to be able to rebound the ball and play aggressively under the basket. Then once they can do that if they can stretch the floor, it's icing on the cake.

I think those are valid and understandable gripes.  I guess my point is just that those are gripes that go to roster construction.  KO is who he is, and he's one of our best three big man options. 

If you'd rather have Taj Gibson or Mason Plumlee (or whoever meets your ideal description of a PF /C) in that spot, Danny is the real target of your complaints.

[The Oracle]

  I have said this a bunch of times LOL.  People are going to be shocked when Brad and Danny clear the agenda and start putting the ball in his hands in positions to be successful!  He is purposefully being highly underutilized.  I have long suspected as to why they are doing so but won't get into just yet.  He has every potential to be a 20 point scorer in this league and would likely have already been so on almost any other team.  Can't wait for the responses but I am not wrong about this.

[PhoSita]

I have long suspected as to why they are doing so but won't get into just yet.

Please tell me there's a Star Wars, Dark Side / Light Side tie-in here.

Danny Ainge is Darth Plagueis.

[The Oracle]

I have long suspected as to why they are doing so but won't get into just yet.

Please tell me there's a Star Wars, Dark Side / Light Side tie-in here.

Danny Ainge is Darth Plagueis.

My belief is that the gig is just about up and the hound will be unleashed very soon!  This forum will be an amazing read when it happens.

[GetLucky]

“He’s a really good complimentary player,” Ainge said Thursday night shortly after the selection. “He’s not a go-to guy, he’s not a star player, but he’s a really good teammate-type player – he compliments other guys.”

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/06/27/celtics-trade-with-mavs-draft-gonzaga-center-kelly-olynyk-13th-overall/

I've been at peace with Kelly ever since I saw this in 2013. I trust Danny's judgement, and it's looking like he was 100% right in his evaluation.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

“He’s a really good complimentary player,” Ainge said Thursday night shortly after the selection. “He’s not a go-to guy, he’s not a star player, but he’s a really good teammate-type player – he compliments other guys.”

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/06/27/celtics-trade-with-mavs-draft-gonzaga-center-kelly-olynyk-13th-overall/

I've been at peace with Kelly ever since I saw this in 2013. I trust Danny's judgement, and it's looking like he was 100% right in his evaluation.

LOL just goes to show it's our expectations that are the problem.