[llperez]

Okay, maybe im drinking the kool aid here, I did pick gonzaga to win it all. But I can assure you I am in no way a fan of there’s and this isn’t bias. I just absolutely love what i see from the big man. He has great touch from the perimeter, but doesn’t settle. He will attack the paint and absorb contact. He has a great lower body with thick legs and can’t hold deep position. He has all the up and unders and looks really fluid offensively.

I know a lot of people will say he plays in the wcc and use that against him, but lets look at what he did vs teams from the power 6 conferences which includes 7 games this year. Kelly put up a solid 17.3 ppg and 6rpg but did that in just 24 minutes per game and shot 69% from the field leading his team to a 6-1 record in those games. Even in the zags brief tournament run he did put up 23.5ppg and 9.5rpg in the two games while being surrounded by the defense.

I also know he isn’t a great defender, but at 7 feet and with a really strong lower base And good mobility for a big moving his feet, I don’t think he is that much a liability. I also know he is basically a sr being 4 years removed from highschool, but considering how much he has developed, I don’t think he is hitting any kind of cieling to the point where he can’t continue to grow.

With size always at a premium, and this class looking really weak at top, why can’t he crawl into the conversation?

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

No chance. Not athletic enough.

[aamir543Participant]

I thought the same as well, but I started watching more film of him the past day or two, and even though I think he’s incredibly skilled, he can’t jump for his life, not athletic at all, and about 30% of his points come off of those crafty layups where he loops his arm around his defender to get his shot off, but in the NBA, shot blockers will feast on a move like that. He could very well develop into a nice 16 and 6 sort of offensive big. I see a little bit of Mehmet Okur in him, although his long shot isn’t as good as Okur’s yet. But I just think his lack of explosiveness and mobility is what will hinder him in the long run.

[NorthBoundBallParticipant]

He’s a reach at 1, even top 10. Adam Morrison is too recent, I never believe in Gonzaga players including Austin Daye. Gonzaga is a mid-major for a reason. One thing Kelly have on everyone in this Draft is experience, he already played with grown men at the age of 19 with Team Canada. Kelly is a Late Lottery at best, don’t fall in love with Mid-Major stats.

[llperez]

I obviously didn’t just fall in love with mid major stats. I gave a breakdown of his skills and brought his stats vs the power 6 as well. Besides, let’s not act like mid major means you can’t succeed in the NBA. Damian lillard?

[LindseyParticipant]

Dame Lillard! Lotta Mid-Major studs are fine t the next level.

[llperez]

I actually think he moves his freer pretty well and runs rhe court well. I mean he is not a great athlete but it isn’t that bad, he’s not a stiff. Besides, we could go down the list for every potential lotto pick and find major negatives.

[tli232]

I love Olynyck as a prospect… if this were the mid-late 90s. His style is such a throwback to a foregone era, up and unders, baseline spins, etc.

And because it isn’t, I’m only lukewarm on him. I think he’ll find some success on the offensive end as a versatile scorer/ floor spacer, but on pick a roll defense, I can’t see him being anything more than a below average guy. 

I think he should go in the 5-10 range. I can’t, in good faith, choose Olynyck over the following guys:

• Noel
• Zeller
• Smart
• Porter

So, I really don’t see him being in the conversation of #1 at this point in the game.

 

[Malik-UniversalParticipant]

he reminds a little bit of chris Kaman offensively

[BigChamp12Participant]

I just dont see it with him. I like him for Gonzaga, but I dont see him being a major contributor in the NBA. He’s not very physical nor athletic to me. He put up good numbers over the past 2 games, but it was not pretty. Against Wichita he was 8-22… I know it was one game but he was supposed to make his case for a higher draft spo by dominating those smaller players. But he couldnt score when they bodied him. He struggles when there’s contact. Who knows though? Players can always improve. Its just not enough there to take him at number 1

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

He’s a good player but you have to remember, GMs look for potential along with skill when it comes to the #1 pick.

He’s going to be 22 years old with limited physical/athletic tools. He’s a good college player but like most good college players, he will only be a good role player in the league. (i.e. Tyler Zeller and Tyler Hansbrough)

Like I said, he’s a good player, but his game doesn’t fit the NBA mold of today, it’s better suited for the college game.

[llperez]

I don’t see the hansbrough comparison at all. I would compare Kelly more with brook Lopez

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I wasn’t comparing them in terms of skills. I’m comparing the fact that their games are molded for college and not the NBA. How they were beasts in college but role players in the NBA.

[Malik-UniversalParticipant]

im starting to look at cody zeller SOMEWHAT with the same view that TOL just gave

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

haha I was actually just going to say that Olynyk offers everything that Zeller does. I think #1 is too high for him, but the top 10 isn’t out of the question. He’s an exceptionally skilled big man with a soft touch, and is much better at running the floor than people give him credit for.

I know I’m going to get negged like crazy for this, and I’m not saying that he is as good or will have the same impact in the pros but I see some similarities between Olynyk and a young Pau Gasol.

[Future_Scout]

I collected tons of negs for saying he reminds me a little of Marc Gasol.
Not to mention i had him in the lottery before anyone i have ever seen.

[fastforward322Participant]

I honestly don’t understand why Zeller is ranked so high. I think he’ll be a decent NBA player, but not a star and if you’re selecting in the first 5-10 picks isn’t that what you’re going for? I don’t think Olynyk will be a star either, but I honestly have seen more potential from him than Zeller even though Olynyk is older.

[HuRRiCaNeS324Participant]

I think he is a 7 ft version of Luis Scola

Both have great touch around the rim and use various types of pivots and up fakes. Even does the same type of shot Luis Scola does in which he scoops the ball under the defenders arm. Very crafty players.

Both have good shot from the outside.

Both are not necessarily athletic, but very coordinated for big men.

Both poor shot blockers and sub par rebounders.

But he’s definitely not in contention for the #1 spot because he’s not athletic at all and he won’t solve any defensive nor rebounding problems your team has whatsoever. Think he will go at the 10-15 range and help a team on the cusp of making the playoffs to finally make the push. Not many teams have centers that have great touch around the rim and can step out as well. He will be valuable for sure.

[JoeWolf1]

I think the Scola comparison is a good one. The way he pivots to move laterally on offense and his up and under moves are very reminicent of Scola’s style.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

Thank you.
I was going to bring Scola to the table. I think this is a great comparison.

[aamir543Participant]

The Scola comparison is great, but the only problem is that Scola is quicker off the dribble than Olynk, their skill set is similar, but that little quickness getting to the basket makes a HUGE difference between an above average quality starter and a scrub.

[NickBParticipant]

I think Olynyck is actually pretty underrated as a prospect. He’s not #1 worthy, but top 5-10 isn’t out of the question if you ask me.

All this talk of “not athletic enough” is ridiculous. Sure, his vert isn’t great, but when you watch him play you can see that he is very coordinated in his body movements for a 7 footer. And his foot speed is quite good too. He’s not a stiff by any means. Remember, Kevin Love was regarded as “not athletic enough”, but his numbers did the talking.

He’s probably the most skilled big man in the draft. Has an array of post moves that will be effective in the NBA. His rebounding isn’t elite but it’s fine. He’s basically unstoppable offensively on the college level, and his FG% is out of this world. I think the biggest negative against him is NOT his “lack of athleticism”, but more so his lack of defensive stats.

I think the Brook Lopez comparison is a great one, and i think Olynyck will put up similar numbers to Brook, but with less blocks and maybe an extra rebound or 2 per game. Kelly may be even better than Brook offensively.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

I talked with Jerry West son yesterday who is a scout for the Lakers, and we talked about Olynyks NBA prospects and he was saying that he’s overrated and wouldn’t want to to touch him because of where he’s going be taken. He said he didn’t have any particular skill that will translate to the NBA game on the offensive end. I personally see him as a third big man. He plays very well off the pick and roll and and pick and pop.

[jjbutler73Participant]

If you think he’s #1, you should at least know his name. It’s Olynyk. For the guy comparing him to Marc Gasol, that’s not even worth responding to. Pau yes, Marc, not even close.

[JoeWolf1]

Tyler Zeller is putting up very encouraging numbers for a rookie big ( about 8/6 in only 24 mpg ) and Cody Zeller and Olynyk are both better pro prospects. I could easily see Tyler be a 14 ppg 8 rpg starting center in a couple years.

Guys who can really play but lack “great athleticism” are oft looked over and I think it’d be unwise to let either Zeller or Olynyk drop out of the top 10 or 12 guys taken because I think when all is said and done they’ll both be very productive pro players. I think both guys are going to be about 15 ppg scorers in the NBA.

I think Zeller should go 5 or 6 and Olynyk should go 10-12.

[GriffGCParticipant]

I think he’s a mid first rounder and the Zag’s early exit isn’t helping his cause.

It’s already been stated but he lacks the athleticism to be an elite prospect. For the same reason Khalif Wyatt, (Temple) who put up 30+ yesterday with Oladipo guarding him, is hoping for a second round look: players rarely get by on crafty, heady play in the NBA. A combination of athleticism and craftiness works, ala Timmy Duncan.

He’s seems like a driven kid with great height but the fact that he needs to get to the line to produce at the college level is a bad sign. I think Chris Kaman is the best comparison with a Luis Scola ceiling. The Gasol brothers have no business being mentioned here.

[TyroberParticipant]

We basically know what he is going to bring to the table. He is a great player and has the highest PER in college basketball. I hope he goes to the thunder. Really seems like he could be a good fit.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

I Dont see him going number 1, not even top 3…..Maybe 8,9, or 10 on down…

Becuz he doesnt have a trait that stands out..He’s not a good defender or a consistent outside shoot….He’s not a bigtime scorer..He’s not that good a rebounder or shot blocker….But he’s competitive and smart…And believe if he goes to a team that’ll allow him to play pf along side defensive minded bigs like Howard,Garnett or Horford…In 2 or 3 years he could become 1 of the 12 best players from this draft…..

[surveParticipant]

Its not because he wont be a good player, its because for the #1 pick you want the safest pick for someone who can help change your teams fortunes. Upside is the biggest factor for high picks. Is he really good enough to consider picking over some guys who could be potential All-Stars? He may be safer but impact wise not intriguing enough. Also, it is heavily dependent upon what team he fits in best with chemistry and style wise. He looks like a 3rd or 4th cog in a wheel…and nobody really wants to spend a #1 pick on that. Good player but one that could get a GM fired if he doesnt pan out coupled with the possibility of a player coming right behind him and becoming an instant star.

[ph90702]

Not enough upside.

[uabasketballParticipant]

he looks like a woman

[TheLastWordParticipant]

^ and named like one. His main problems in the NBA will be finishing around the rim and boxing out opposing centers who have 20 lbs on him. His standing reach and wingspan will likely be below average for a center. Probably can’t play PF, doesn’t move that well.

[JoeWolf1]

Kelly Olynyk is probably around 250 lbs, with a powerful lower body. The dude’s legs and butt are huge, and that has a lot more to do with boxing out than a 41” vertical leap. I don’t think boxing out is going to be much of an issue for him, especially with the fire he plays with. Not to mention, at 7′, he has at least a 7′ wingpsan, if not 7’2” or 7’3”. A 7′ foot dude with a 7′ + wingspan has probably a 9′ or a little higher standing reach. His height, weight, power, and wingspan will not be issues.

I don’t know how much you’ve seen of him, but he moves well, the questions that surround him athletically are mainly aimed at his explosiveness and quickness. He has pretty good speed, (not at Noah or McGee’s level, but still good) in the open court.

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