The Celtics’ Kelly Olynyk is not the NBA playoff hero we expected

The Celtics' Kelly Olynyk playing hero in Game 7 against the Washington Wizards certainly wasn't something easily predicted in these NBA playoffs.

BY HABOOB BLOG

May 15, 2017, 7:57 PM

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"It's been the Kelly Olynyk show here tonight." #Game7 pic.twitter.com/sgHd2hYK0b

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 16, 2017

It wasn’t Wizards guard John Wall or the Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas. Not even Washington guard Bradley Beal was the biggest star in the decisive Eastern Conference NBA semifinal game in Boston.

It was Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk’s night as he made headway in the fight to make man buns cool again.

OK, so Beal scored 38 for the Wizards while teammate Wall and the Celtics’ Thomas had double-doubles each. But 14 of Olynyk’s 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting came in the fourth quarter as Boston pulled away. Washington’s big men Marcin Gortat and Markieff Morris didn’t exactly do much to stop him — other than the Polish Hammer making faces of confusion and frustration.

“We make Olynyk beat us and if that happens, so be it.”
“Beat us with contested shots?”
“No, just wander around like you’re lost in a mall."

— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) May 16, 2017

The Celtics earned their way to the Eastern Conference Finals where they will face the Cleveland Cavaliers.

That matchup wasn’t unexpected this postseason, but Olynyk playing hero to get there certainly was.

Don’t believe us?

Kelly Olynyk is now 10-of-11 shooting in the 4th quarter this series

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 16, 2017

Kelly Olynyk has a higher career playoff shooting % in "crunch time" situations than Michael Jordan. I'm not saying he's better, but.

— penguin fan account (@JaRomney) May 16, 2017

Kelly Olynyk sent here to hit dagger threes in a Game 7 and make me wonder why I even watch sports

— Andrew Sharp (@andrewsharp) May 16, 2017

HOW DO I LEGALLY CHANGE MY NAME TO KELLY OLYNYK

— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) May 16, 2017

Death by Kelly Olynyk is worse than 1,000 deaths on top of 1,000 deaths.

— Kyle Weidie (@Truth_About_It) May 16, 2017

"Just leave everything to me, coach" pic.twitter.com/JNn2boVD7F

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) May 16, 2017

https://twitter.com/jaycaspiankang/status/864305688260079616

🤔 pic.twitter.com/XDNt770JBw

— Hoops&Brews Podcast (@HoopsNBrews) May 16, 2017

Raise your hand if you had Ian Eagle saying "he's human" after an Olynyk missed three late in the fourth in the office pool.

— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) May 16, 2017