Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Big plans for the Heat’s big man
Kelly Olynyk’s confidence soars as team explores next big things.
MIAMI – Kelly Olynyk figured there would be times when he would be the next big thing for the Miami Heat, but only because it would be a matter of taking turns in the rotation.
Such was the perspective on a roster with Hassan Whiteside and Bam Adebayo also in the power rotation.
Especially with the NBA going smaller and with James Johnson’s versatility at power forward also in play.
And then, as he has throughout his coaching career, Erik Spoelstra began to unlock other possibilities.
So now, instead of waiting his turn, Olynyk has found himself more frequently getting opportunities alongside Whiteside and Adebayo, at a time the Heat are playing some of their best ball of the season.
“I think it’s just because you can space like a guard, you can space and shoot,” the 7-footer said of the 3-point element he delivers to the Heat’s dual-big alignments. “It’s not playing big, non-shooters. If you have too many non-shooters out there, it’s really tough in today’s age. It just makes it tough on the guards, for them to get in the paint, to make things happen. If you have a big that can shoot, it makes it a little easier.”
The thought was Johnson would provide that spacing. Instead it has become Olynyk, who has converted at least one 3-pointer in a career-high-tying 10 consecutive games, including 5 of 7 from beyond the arc in Wednesday night’s 91-84 victory over the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center.
And on the defensive end, because he finds himself playing alongside either Whiteside or Adebayo, Olynyk does not feel nearly as exposed as when he is the last big man standing.
“I mean, because I have someone behind me that can go block shots, so if mess up, it’s not always chalked up as a mess up,” he said. “It’s only chalked up 75 percent of the time.
“So you have a little more freedom to be aggressive, making plays and you don’t always have to guard the super-big guy, the rebounder or the bruiser. You don’t have to guard so many ball screens all the time. You can kind of be a better help defender.”
Whiteside said he is more than willing to oblige.
“I told him I’m his insurance,” he quipped. “You know, you in trouble, you can call 800-SWAT.”
Adebayo also is ready to be there.
“That’s part of having your teammate’s back,” he said, as the Heat turn their attention to Friday night’s visit by the Cleveland Cavaliers to AmericanAirlines Arena. “I’d expect Kelly to be there. He would probably take the charge. Charge is even better.”
To Adebayo, going big-big isn’t even a question.
“We’ve been doing this for two years now,” he said. “It’s been working for us and we’re going to keep doing it.”
Which has Olynyk in a better place.
“I would say I’m a better help defender than on-ball defender,” he said. “So if I can get more help defensive situations, it makes me look a little bit better and hopefully it helps the team out.”
From questioning himself at times whether he would play at all, Olynyk played nearly 45 minutes Wednesday night, when he closed with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
“I wasn’t even that tired, honestly. So maybe the biking is paying off, this worldclass-shape stuff they’re talking about,” he said of the extra time in the training room when the minutes weren’t nearly as extensive.
Until now, until this injection back into the starting lineup over the past month alongside Whiteside and Adebayo, there were concerns that spot minutes might be the only minutes.
Instead, there is comfort in his new reality, surrounded by his fellow big men, picked up by teammates his own size.
“There was some time there where some guys were hurt and we needed somebody to step up. I felt like I was the person who had to step up,” he said. “That confidence is there and keep growing it.
“We’ve just been playing together on both ends of the floor, as a team, having each other’s back, moving the ball, sharing the ball, making plays and it shows.”