Motivated Sullinger: "It's time to work"

[rondohondo]

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4695716/motivated-sullinger-its-time-to-work

ESPN.com columnist Scoop Jackson caught up with Celtics draft pick Jared Sullinger, who was taken at No. 21 by the Celtics in Thursday night's draft after a precipitous fall down the draft board over the last couple of weeks. That steep drop was the result of back problem that NBA doctors said could shorten his NBA career.

In the span of 10 days, Sullinger went from a top-5 or top-10 pick to someone who wasn't even invited to the NBA draft.

"All because of an unofficial undiagnosed injury that has never really affected his play and never stopped Sullinger from twice being named an AP and Sporting News First Team All-American," wrote Jackson.

"I'm glad the way it worked out. I got to be with family and friends that really care about me," he said while close to a hundred "family and friends" celebrated around him in his honor.

Jackson writes that "Jared Sullinger will use being picked 21st in the draft and not being invited to New Jersey as his base incentive to prove doctors, GMs, league execs and every team in the NBA that passed on him wrong."

"To me," Sullinger says, with a Celtics cap resting atop his head. "This (not being invited to the draft, being picked low) still tells me I'm not a good enough player yet. They told me I wasn't good enough, now it's time to work."

A motivated top 10 talent with a that plays with some "nasty" as Popovich would say. Sounds good to me , he has KG type passion if you've ever watched him play .( not saying he is kg at all)

I fully expect to be a Carl Landry/BBD type with David West being his full potential.

Make em pay Sully!!

[mctyson]

Lil less athletic than West but otherwise perfect comp

[CoachBo]

Not much. This is a pick I really like. Love his footwork, love his ability to step out and stick the outside shot, love his work ethic.

Melo, none of the above.

[pearljammer10]

Wish we could have grabbed someone more athletic with a better above the rim game, but i think he is going to pan out nicely for us if we give him the chance to.

[cman88]

im tired of everyone spouting how he "lacks athleticism" as some sort of black mark. athleticism is nice, but skill is better...Gerald green had all the athleticism in the world and he didnt pan out here.

and Sullinger has skill. he's probably the most polished post player in the NBA, AND he can step out and knock down the jumper

all that matters is if he can efficiently defend and score

[theswitch]

im tired of everyone spouting how he "lacks athleticism" as some sort of black mark. athleticism is nice, but skill is better...Gerald green had all the athleticism in the world and he didnt pan out here.

and Sullinger has skill. he's probably the most polished post player in the NBA, AND he can step out and knock down the jumper

all that matters is if he can efficiently defend and score

He's already the most polished post player in the NBA? Dude hasn't even played a minute in summer league yet.

[SHAQATTACK]

Sully and Melo are  HUGE LUCKY to play for the Celtics, they get some chance to grow and develop and gain confidence .

Having to go to a suck -nothing team like the Bobcats , you are expected to make them better right off the bat.  Only a few players every can do that.  

I always loved Pierces game, he looks like the underdog, slowish , and not tall and not flashy.  But, he is consistant and precise and is deceptive ....I find this very well maybe the way Sully will score...with fluid thought out precsion, and not a FLASH to basket like LBJ or Kobe.

I don't care HOW he scores , just so he does.

[Celtics4ever]

Size matters down low and all the skill in the world didn't help him when Jeff Withey blocked him three times in a row in the NCAAs this year.    Harrelson looked great against him too.  I hope he does work out for us.   But I predict that he will get blocked a lot, I hope I am wrong but when they compared him to Big Baby I could not be the only guy who balked?

They guys could not hold PP's jock strap.

[Eddie20]

"Plays below the rim"

"Not athletic"

"Only 6-9"

"Slow"

Sounds a lot like Kevin Love's scouting report when he came out.

Which one is Love? Which one is Sullinger?

Height w/out shoes
6'7.75"-6'7.75"

Weight
268-255

Bodyfat
10.7%-12.9%

Wingspan
7' 1.25"-6' 11.25"

Standing Reach
8' 9.5"-8' 10"

No Step Vert
29.5-29.5

Max Step Vert
31.0-35.0

Freshman Stats (since Love was 1 and done)
PPG 17.2-17.5
RPG 10.2-10.6
FG% 54.1-55.9
FT% 70.4-76.7
MPG 31.7-29.6

[SHAQATTACK]

Big Heavy Davis and Sully are totally different people and players, I see zero comparison.  That fat ton of lard Davis is short and can barely raise his tail to make a dunk.

Sully is not LBJ, Kobe , or Hardin quick , but I think he is quicker and better than people are giving him credit for.

I look for him to be a very good player , not an allstar , but someone who can contribute.

He'll be scoring fine one day.

 

[letsgoblue86]

How come no one makes any Karl Malone comparisons?

They are a little different physically but both are undersized/un-athletic PFs.

Not saying he will be as good as one of the greatest ever, but I'm trying to be optimistic.

[KCattheStripe]

They are a little different physically but both are undersized/un-athletic PFs.

You need to go to YouTube for an hour.

[theswitch]

They are a little different physically but both are undersized/un-athletic PFs.

You need to go to YouTube for an hour.

Haha, TP. I wasn't sure how to properly respond to the Malone comparisons.

[Roy H.]

My hope for Sullinger is to turn into another Carlos Boozer.  He's got the post moves to do it; now, he needs to add strength and nastiness.

[satch]

I don't think Doc will play him. Remember Doc is the guy that played Mark Blount over some younger players.