More Love for Olynyk

[DefenseWinsChamps]

There was already love for Olynyk based on the +- stat last night, but I thought his defense deserved a separate post. This guy continues to become a better and better defender. Last night, we was elite.

Last night, players attacked him at the rim 10 times, but they only scored 4. The eye test shows that was not just luck, but that was Olynyk legit defending the rim time after time. That 40% DFG at the rim is elite. He is averaging 50% for the year, which is above average and bordering on good.

Opponents also had a 49% eFG% (well below average), and a whopping 19.3 turnover rate when he was guarding them! All the while, he held players he was guarding (including Zaza) to a 17.4% rebounding rate, which is really good, especially on a night when Zaza was dominating Sully and Johnson on the boards.

He had 1 steal and 2 blocks.

He shot 5 for 6 from three, and he was the only big man during the entire game that opened the court consistently for Thomas, Smart, Bradley, and Crowder. He had a Korver-esque gravitational pull that was constantly pulling defenders his direction and opening the court for other Celtics.

He is no MVP candidate or anything like that, but we need to recognize growth and solid two-way play. This game was his best two-way game as a Celtic.

[Celtics18]

Agree.  For the most part his defense was great last night.

It was very unfortunate that he gave up the offensive rebound to Zaza's which led to Dirk's four point play late in the game.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Agree.  For the most part his defense was great last night.

It was very unfortunate that he gave up the offensive rebound to Zaza's which led to Dirk's four point play late in the game.

That was a bummer, but I'm still angry with how many times Zaza got away with moving screens and defensive 3 seconds.

[Chris22]

Agree.  For the most part his defense was great last night.

It was very unfortunate that he gave up the offensive rebound to Zaza's which led to Dirk's four point play late in the game.

That was a bummer, but I'm still angry with how many times Zaza got away with moving screens and defensive 3 seconds.

The refs were atrocious.

[CelticPride2016]

It's tough to watch a game and feel that the refs are influencing the outcome.

Olynyk is a paradox. He looks both awkward and graceful.

I also think people have memories. We can become trapped by them. We judge such and such a player to the point of screaming out loud final proclamations.

James Young is that kind of player. We just don't know.

In hindsight, Fab Melo never had a chance. But how are we to know in real time?

Olynyk has been outed as my binky. I love his long hair. I like how he is an old-school player stubbornly true to his aim of playing it the right way.

Kelly Olynyk, like Marcus Smart, has had a million things on the table to master.

He has turned into one of Danny's best assets.

This is on Brad Stevens. He stuck with Lee too long. He was pitiful. We needed to go with Amir, Sully, Kelly, and Zeller.

Too much experimenting has led to a .500 record, so far.

Kelly should be playing a minimum of 30 minutes every game. Sully should too, but if I was in power I'd bench him until he lost most of his body fat.

Or trade him. Problem solved. Kelly is going nowhere unless there is a major deal, KG 2008 styled.