TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors’ second unit could be renamed Kelly’s Youngsters.
Canadian centre Kelly Olynyk returned to the Raptors’ lineup in a 125-118 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. It was Olynyk’s season debut after lacking Toronto’s first 23 video games.
At 33 years previous, Olynyk was the oldest participant to return off the Raptors bench by seven years.
“Jonathan (Mogbo) is a rookie, Ja’Kobe (Walter) is a rookie, Jamison Battle, rookie, Davion (Mitchell) is in his third, fourth yr, stated Olynyk, working down the post-game scoresheet. “So younger however guys who play laborious, play the precise approach.
“I feel I will help them get organized, get good pictures, hold the ball transferring, and join the items collectively. And I feel that’s type of what my job proper now, for that second unit, will probably be.”
Olynyk, who was born in Toronto and raised in Kamloops, B.C., averaged 12.7 factors, 5.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists over 28 video games for the Raptors after he was traded by the Utah Jazz on Feb. 8.
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He’s averaged 10.3 factors, 5.2 rebounds and a pair of.4 rebounds over 11 NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics, Miami Warmth, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Utah and now Toronto.
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Olynyk led all reserves on Saturday with 13 factors, flattening 4 rebounds, getting two steals and shelling out an help. He stated he was glad to be again after lacking the Raptors pre-season and first quarter of the season.
“Taking part in basketball is what I like to do. Everytime you get to get up and play basketball, it’s an incredible day,” stated Olynyk. “Clearly, it took so much longer than I needed, in all probability the workforce needed, all people needed, however these type of issues occur.
“You’ve received to take your time. You’ll be able to’t rush it, but it surely’s good to get again on the market and get into the move of issues.”
Head coach Darko Rajakovic stated it was nice to have the mix of starter Jakob Poeltl and Olynyk at centre as a result of they’ve such totally different taking part in kinds.
“The capturing that Kelly brings to the workforce, that’s a giant issue there,” stated Rajakovic. “He’s nonetheless superb taking part in in a pocket go. He’s an excellent connector, discovering his teammates.
“I feel he’s going to actually assist that second unit and we’re going to try what it seems like when he’s taking part in 5, when he’s taking part in 4, when he’s in several spots on the courtroom. For now, I’m simply actually glad he’s again and taking part in.”
Whereas Poeltl is extra of a basic centre, grabbing rebounds and setting picks, Olynyk is extra of a creator who can shoot the three. Poeltl had no three-point makes an attempt on Saturday and Olynyk went 3 for 4 from past the arc.
The Raptors have made up-tempo play in transition their hallmark this season and, given how younger his second-unit teammates are, Olynyk is ready to maintain tempo.
“Shoot, house the ground, give a number of room for the guards to function, go, reduce, all these type of issues play into my talent set,” stated Olynyk, who’s a profession 36.9 per cent three-point shooter.
“Clearly, coming off being off 5, six weeks, you’ve received to get again into form in case you’re going to play that quick. However that may include time.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Dec. 7, 2024.
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