Miami Heat: The Kelly Olynyk experiment is a major success
Almost a full season in, and Kelly Olynyk is thriving with the Miami Heat.
Be honest: you weren’t thrilled when the Miami Heat announced they were signing Kelly Olynyk.
At the very least, you were surprised over the decision, unsure of what direction the front office was going in.
(Me? I almost fell off the elliptical. The shock was real.)
Heat Nation’s uncertainty didn’t so much stem from anything found on Olynyk’s stat-sheet. The former Boston Celtic was clearly capable, having averaged 9.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists a game in 20.5 minutes of play last season. He especially contributed in the playoffs, including putting up 26 points in 28 minutes on 10-of-14 shooting, in Game 7 against the Washington Wizards.
It was more so his reputation. After all, he was the one who dislocated Kevin Love’s shoulder in 2015, going up against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the series.
(For the record though, the two have since made up.)
But with just three games left in 2017-18 regular season play, it’s official: Heat fans were wrong.
Not only for labeling him as just a good, run-of-the-mill player, but also for doubting his character. Olynyk has blossomed within the organization, both on and off the court. And it’s very possible that the best is yet to come.
Currently averaging a career-high 11.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 23.6 minutes, the 26-year-old has certainly found his stride. Having been given the green light to “keep shooting,” by both head coach Erik Spoelstra and his teammates, he’s fallen into an incredible offensive rhythm. And defensively? Well, he’s a powerhouse on the other end of the floor, too.
Really, the 7-footer can do it all.
Take his performance last night against the Atlanta Hawks. Olynyk finished with 19 points in just 23 minutes, shooting 5-for-7 from downtown. He also grabbed eight rebounds and dished out five assists to boot. And don’t be fooled; his success doesn’t just come against struggling team’s. Last month, the forward totaled 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field against the Cleveland Cavaliers (alongside five rebounds, three assists and three steals).
As for buying into the culture? Olynyk is here for it all.
Between developing into a versatile threat who has both come off the bench and started this year, and getting on board the team’s fitness plan, the big man feels right at home.
"“He’s committed to the process. He’s lost a lot of weight, really dropped body fat. We just think it makes him more efficient with his movement,” said Spoelstra back in late October."
Being wrong has never felt so good.
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Here’s to Olynyk remaining with the Miami Heat for years to come.