Kelly Olynyk’s Absence Could be Bigger than Expected
By Jeremy Karll
The poor offensive night happening on Olynyk’s first game missed due to injury could be pure coincidence, or it could be a sign for what is yet to come.
The Boston Celtics are expected to be without Kelly Olynyk for about three weeks due to a right shoulder injury. This is a huge loss for the Celtics, and Olynyk, as he was starting to find his footing in the NBA, and have a major impact on the team’s success.
Despite Olynyk’s minutes (22.3 to 20.3) and points per game (10.3 to 10.1) decreasing from last season, he has had a bigger impact on the team this season. Much of that is due to his much improved three-point shooting.
Olynyk is shooting 41.3 percent from behind the arc this season, 13th in the NBA. The only big man with a better three-point percentage in the league is Draymond Green at 42.7 percent. Despite Olynyk being one of the best shooters in the league this season, his 41.3 percent doesn’t do justice to how dominant he has been over the past few months. In December, Olynyk was shooting 46.3 percent from behind the arc, and it went up to a ridiculous 48.3 percent in January.
Olynyk’s shooting this season has allowed the Celtics to space the floor and create lanes for guards, like Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart, to drive to the basket. Despite Thomas’ size, 31.2 percent of his shots come from inside three feet, shooting 58.7 percent from that distance. A big reason he is able to finish at the rim so often is due to floor spacing. There aren’t many big men in the league who can draw their defender away from the basketball like Olynyk can and empty the lane.
It’s naive to think that Olynyk is the only player, or big man, who has the ability to space the floor on the team. Most players on Boston have some sort of outside game, which is why they shoot so many threes. However, in the first game of Olynyk’s absence, the Celtics had one of their worst offensive games of the year. It was only one game, and to start saying that the Celtics will fall apart without Olynyk would be an overreaction. Although, it does raise questions considering the Celtics only scored 93 points, compared to the 105.5 points per game they average. Boston also shot a dreadful 37 percent from the field and an even worse 28 percent from behind the arc.
An all-star break hangover, a poor shooting night, good defense by Utah, and many more reasons could have been the reason for the Celtics’ poor offensive night. Besides, Boston is near the bottom of league in field goal percentage and the Jazz give up the second least amount of points per game in the league. The poor offensive night happening on Olynyk’s first game missed due to injury could be pure coincidence, or it could be a sign for what is yet to come.
Related Story: Jordan Mickey Deserves Playing Time With Olynyk Injury
Olynyk’s only other missed game this season was the season opener because he was suspended, therefore, Boston has had the privilege of having Olynyk every game. There is no doubt that the Celtics’ gameplan will have to change a little. There really is no way of replicating a three-point shooting seven-footer’s game, although, you have to try.
I may be reading too much into one game, but the Celtics looked a little different last night. It seemed like Sullinger was standing near the three-point line more, trying to create spacing. I think the Celtics need to let Sullinger go inside or mid-range, where he is most effective, and know that the spacing will be different with Olynyk.
Jordan Mickey, who saw three minutes in garbage time last night, is an option for defense and rebounding, while Jonas Jerebko is the next best three-point shooting big man on the team. If last night is any sign, then Brad Stevens will be sticking with the same four big man rotation, even though Amir Johnson‘s minutes keep dwindling.
When it comes down to it, Kelly Olynyk has been a very big piece of this team’s success this season and they might not be as prepared as they thought. If Tyler Zeller and Jared Sullinger are unable to step up their games, then this could end up being a tougher three weeks for Boston than they first thought.
Next: Boston Celtics Stay Put, Eyeing Future
The Denver Nuggets are next on the schedule, and if the Celtics struggle on Sunday night, I would start feeling worried.