Kelly Olynyk Returns to Practice
The Boston Celtics played phenomenally during their five game home stand and they are getting ready to get another boost. Kelly Olynyk, the Celtics’ best three point shooter, has been out since the All Star break and has finally returned to practice. The Celtics have just 2 games over a 9 day stretch and that gives Olynyk some flexibility with the timetable for his return. In either case, the Celtics will be in the best position to finish off their playoff run once Olynyk returns.
Even though Olynyk is not a part of the Celtics’ starting unit, he has a claim at the second most important offensive player after Isaiah Thomas. The Celtics continually have to overcome poor shooting but that should improve drastically with Olynyk. Not only is his finishing his threes at an incredible rate, but he has been making great decisions with the ball in his hands and is finding ways to generate for his teammates.
The Celtics depend too much on their second unit to not get a great boost from them and Olynyk can make all the difference in the world. He has been their best three point shooter all year long shooting at 41.3% and he generates the most offense on the second unit. Olynyk is a matchup nightmare and he is finding ways to exploit that.
Olynyk is not the ball handler but he is the best play maker on that second unit. He gives the Celtics an extra edge that they cannot get anywhere else. Olynyk has also been a solid defender. The Celtics play with a lot of under sized lineups and Olynyk gives them a different presence in the paint.
Olynyk may be the most unique player on the Celtics and that’s what makes his impact so hard to replicate. Tyler Zeller may have to sacrifice some of his minutes but Olynyk has been bringing much more to the table this season.
The Celtics will have to be a little more patient as Olynyk has only returned to practice and may still need some more time before he sees game action. The Celtics’ schedule gives him a great opportunity to get that extra rest to make sure he is 100% when he gets back.
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The Celtics have been dealing with smaller injuries to a lot of their main players this season. When Olynyk returns it will be the healthiest the Celtics have been all season long and they will be ready for that final playoff push. Olynyk has been a difference maker all season for the Celtics and everything will be better off when he finally gets back into the lineup.