Kelly Olynyk’s game is already a perfect fit for the Miami Heat
The Miami Heat may have only played one preseason game of the 2017-18 season, but it’s already obvious how well Kelly Olynyk fits in.
23 minutes of preseason play, and one thing is clear: Kelly Olynyk is a perfect fit for the Miami Heat.
Having signed a four-year, $50 million contract in July, the acquisition left a good chunk of Heat Nation stunned. And not just because it came completely out of the blue. Many wondered what president Pat Riley saw in the center, to make him think he would work well alongside the rest of the squad.
After all, Olynyk is best known for dislocating Kevin Love’s shoulder. Not exactly the type of behavior the organization condones.
But just days after the official start of the 2017-18 season, and it seems Tyler Johnson said it best.
"“I know I hated playing against him. I’m assuming he’s one of those guys that you hate to play against but you love to have on your team. I saw how important he was to that Boston squad, so I think he’ll be a good fit for this team.”"
The 26-year-old finished Sunday afternoon with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal.
He came off the bench, backing up big man Hassan Whiteside. And went to work alongside Johnson, Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow and Wayne Ellington, who all sang Olynyk’s praises after the game.
"“Kelly is like a point center,” Ellington said. “He’s such a big trigger for us and he creates so many actions. It really makes that group and that unit dynamic. “The only other team that I see doing something like that is like a Golden State with Draymond [Green] pushing it. But he doesn’t shoot it as well as Kelly. It’s tough to guard. You got to be out there on shooters and you got guys that can really attack the basket and it opens it up for them.”"
A guy who doesn’t have to be boxed into just one position? Sounds familiar, no?
Like most of this group, what makes Olynyk special is that he’s not a “by-the-book” case. Instead, he has a unique game that can adapt to a variety of different scenarios. Something that the former Boston Celtic knew would make him a good match.
"“Here it’s like everybody does everything, which maks it really tough to guard, really tough to scout… It’s not what teams guard on a regular basis and it makes it really tough and really unique. It’s fun to play in as well.”"
Of course, it’ll still take time for him to learn the in’s and out’s of Miami’s system. And develop chemistry with his new teammates. Regardless of how talented a player is, it takes time to grow out of being the new kid. The good news being that Olynyk already looked solid in his debut.
And that was after he scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the team’s scrimmage on Saturday.
Next: Miami Heat: 4 takeaways from the team's first preseason game
Welcome to the Miami Heat, Kelly Olynyk. In Pat Riley we continue to trust.