Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Kelly Olynyk
Position: PF/C
Hgt: 7'0"
Wgt: 234
Age: 22
Projected Draft Number: #15 NBADraft.net/#16 Draftexpress.com
College: Gonzaga
College Stats 2012-13: 26.5min 18.1pts (.631FG% .310TPt% .780FT%) 7.3reb 1.7ast 0.7stl 1.1blk 2.4TO
Capt.'s Review: First off, Kelly Olynyk comes pre-installed with one of the better (in my opinion) potential NBA nicknames: The Klinic. Of course, to the extent that he can give you a clinic, it's really only on offense. Olynyk is another tall big with T-Rex arms - his wingspan was an inch shorter than Cody Zeller's - but he doesn't really have the athleticism that Zeller showed off in the combine. He does have a pretty good handle on the offensive fundamentals, however. He's comfortable facing up where he's pretty successful at driving to the basket, and at least shows promise in his jumper (it misses too often, but he's confident taking it and his form is very good for a big man, suggesting along with his 78% from the line that his jumper should come around). He can also work in the post, where he relies mostly on a variety of step-throughs to get to the basket. On top of that, he sets pretty good screens, though I'm not sure I ever saw him used in a pick and roll. His defense is another story. He gets about a block a game (as he should, at his height), but he's not quick to move, which makes him a liability on the hedge. He didn't spend a lot of time playing stronger posts while I was watching so I worry about his weight and ability to avoid being pushed around, especially considering that he had some trouble getting muscled around on rebounds as it was. At the same time, he shows the fire to fight and get rebounds even when he is getting outmuscled. Olynyk probably ends up being a decent but not great player, who makes his name on the offensive end, and is just good enough defensively and rebounding-wise to earn his minutes. If his jumper comes around, he could be a dangerous stretch 4 with his height, but I'm not going to count on him being the next Dirk.
Baja's Review: Olynyk is an interesting player. The improvements he made in his game from prior years is impressive. Offensively, he went from a one note samba to a very diverse player. His game went from being a 7 foot SF, to a legit center. But I'm getting ahead of myself. He spent his first two years at Gonzaga playing behind Robert Sacre. He arrived with a very good jumpshot with range beyond the three point line. But due to Sacre's presence he didn't get many minutes. Seeing the departure of Sacre in the near future, he sat out what would have been his junior year. Its obvious he worked hard on his game and on adding muscle. Coming into this year, I didn't even have him on my "To Watch List". So he was a very pleasant surpirse. He showed up looking more like a center, and with a low post game. Olynyk isn't fancy! He doesn't come with bells and whistles. He's not an explosive leaper that plays above the rim. But he is very skilled, and very smart. He just takes what the defense gives him. He knows to cut to the basket when his PG drives into the lane. He moves well without the ball. And he has pretty darn good handles for a big man. He's an unselfish player, and, a good and willing passer. If you make the mistake of leaving him alone on the perimeter, he'll make you pay. Defensively, its a different story. He's not quick lateraly, and has very short arms for a 7 footer with a 6'10" wingspan. So he's not going to block many shots. This also affects his rebounding, which needs to improve. In short, Olynyk is a classic example of a player with limited physical abilities thats worked extremely hard to polish his strengths, and diminish his weaknesses. Trust me, he's have an NBA career because he's a 7 foot man with skills that are valued in the NBA. I don't see him on the Kings, but some team in the mid first round will find a use for him.
Gilles's Review: Junior. Is 7' with 6'10" wingspan and 9' standing reach. Best offensive bigman in college. Can score in a variety of ways if he's able to get into the paint. Ridiculous .661 on two-pointers for a guy who creates a lot of his offense. Very good footwork and hands, very agile, good passer. Shoots .780 from FT line so jumper is likely there, just need some work. Don't see him playing center - too weak, and lacks mobility a bit for PF, but that's the spot for him in the League.
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