Ask yourself this: Who has the highest defensive rating and highest net defensive rating in the NBA right now? No, it’s not Rudy Gobert, Roy Hibbert, or Bismack Biyombo; it’s Kelly Olynyk. How is that possible? Kelly Olynyk is not even thought of the best defender on the Boston Celtics, let alone the entire league. He’s done it right underneath all basketball fans noses, Celtics’ fans included.

Kelly Olynyk is the league leader in net defensive rating with a 27.9 and 72.9 rating in defensive rating so far in the season. He has stifled opponents to shooting percentage of only 35.6% on 16/45 shooting. You may scream small sample size, but wait there is more to the story. He was first in the league in points allowed post all-star break last year.

The question is how is he doing it? His movement and strength has improved tremendously in the past half-year or so. He switches on to the wings with ease allowing for him to stay in front of the quicker guys in the league.

Overall, he is using his size to his advantage by making the simple and smart play instead of biting on fakes or fouling too much. He has gone vertical at all times when defending an opponent allowing him to stay tall and use the natural size he has to his advantage.

His positioning for defense has been top-notch also allowing him to make the right play and fit well into Brad Stevens’ defensive scheme. He has gone under the radar because very rarely does he make highlight plays on the defensive end because he just does not have the athletic skills to make highlight reel plays.

Overall, he his defense has been a tremendous help for team that lacks a true rim protector. His defense has helped the Celtics have the fourth best defensive rating in the league. The question is will Kelly Olynyk sustain this pace? If the post all-star break last season is any indicator, it sure looks like it.

Olynyk’s defensive improvement is huge for the team moving forward, and will undoubtedly translate into more victories for the Boston Celtics.