Is Sullinger a starting center in today's NBA?

[cman88]

hes a PF...but its pretty simple. on Offense, let sullinger do the banging in the post that KG hates while KG plays more on the perimiter.

and on defense, let KG play as the center guarding the rim..

[Tr1boy]

He can play 5 and everything about him screams 5, except for his height and or vertical leap. Classic traditional post player that thrives on contact and scores usually in blue collar man fashion.

Also in terms of guarding, it would be much easier for him to be against centres than pf's like kg. Just too fast

If BBD did a great job playing C and was maybe a couple of inches of wingspan, reach or vertical jump away from being a c that could hold his own, you sort of have more hope for JS .

Sullinger has a good inch in height advantage , 1.5 to 2 inches longer wingspan and just as strong as bbd.

Not too sure how much more speed he can gain to be a starting pf in the league, but its either that, or tone up more now, build more muscles and try as a C or the worse we can expect just progress as he is now and be a backup pf/c for the future.

[Roy H.]

If he added a ton of muscle, he could potentially be a center.  Carlos Boozer has played there, as has BBD; there's no reason Sullinger couldn't. 

Right now, though, he doesn't have the strength, and would be fairly easily moved off his spot.

[LarBrd33]

I don't follow College bball.  I'm told Sullinger's ceiling is "poor man's Carlos Boozer" if everything falls into place... and I don't think Carlos Boozer is a starting center in today's NBA... so I'll say no.

[Roy H.]

I don't follow College bball.  I'm told Sullinger's ceiling is "poor man's Carlos Boozer" if everything falls into place... and I don't think Carlos Boozer is a starting center in today's NBA... so I'll say no.

Boozer has played a ton of center in his career, and he's actually been better there on defense than at PF.  Offensively, his numbers have stayed fairly consistent, if I remember correctly.

The only reason that Boozer hasn't been a full-time starting center is because he's been fortunate enough to play on teams with Mehmet Okur and Joakim Noah.  When those guys have been injured, though, he's filled in competently at center.

[LarBrd33]

I don't follow College bball.  I'm told Sullinger's ceiling is "poor man's Carlos Boozer" if everything falls into place... and I don't think Carlos Boozer is a starting center in today's NBA... so I'll say no.

Boozer has played a ton of center in his career, and he's actually been better there on defense than at PF.  Offensively, his numbers have stayed fairly consistent, if I remember correctly.

The only reason that Boozer hasn't been a full-time starting center is because he's been fortunate enough to play on teams with Mehmet Okur and Joakim Noah.  When those guys have been injured, though, he's filled in competently at center.

I don't follow college bball.  I'm told by Roy that Sullinger can be a starting center.  So I'll say yes.

[Tr1boy]

Sullinger was playing C most of his time in college. But no doubt at times, he got owned by length. To offset length, he could toy with these centres by making 15 foot shots more. If he can make  4 to 5 15 footers or longer distance and 4 to 5 tip in and his usually ways of scoring, plus as we all know it didn't matter how tall you were, he could still rebound against you very well, you got a recipe for a very decent C in the league.

He has enough footspeed to face other centres and needs to strengthen up which won't be much of an issue.

In the end with KG on the court, it doesn't matter if you label him a pf or C.  He could score either way vs C's hitting the 15 ft shots and against pf by bulldozing his way in. But for defensive purposes, best he is assigned to centres

[RJ87]

I don't follow College bball.  I'm told Sullinger's ceiling is "poor man's Carlos Boozer" if everything falls into place... and I don't think Carlos Boozer is a starting center in today's NBA... so I'll say no.

Boozer has played a ton of center in his career, and he's actually been better there on defense than at PF.  Offensively, his numbers have stayed fairly consistent, if I remember correctly.

The only reason that Boozer hasn't been a full-time starting center is because he's been fortunate enough to play on teams with Mehmet Okur and Joakim Noah.  When those guys have been injured, though, he's filled in competently at center.

I actually agree.

I think it will largely depend on matchups as to whether or not Sullinger will play Center. Against small ball lineups, yes. Against teams will legit centers, not so much. I shudder at the thought of Sullinger up against D12 or Bynum... Heck, even Tyson Chandler.

[bbd24]

Forget the center position.  Bottom line, Sullinger takes the place of Baby's role from 2 years ago. Except Sullinger is a better rebounder & outside shooter than Baby was coming out of college.

He could easily come right in and start if Bass is moved or unsigned, or Sully becomes the 6-7th man on a darn good basketball team if Bass is here.

[Rtpas11]

Heck Naw! He actually reminds me of Charles Barkley

[Surferdad]

Forget the center position.  Bottom line, Sullinger takes the place of Baby's role from 2 years ago. Except Sullinger is a better rebounder & outside shooter than Baby was coming out of college.

He could easily come right in and start if Bass is moved or unsigned, or Sully becomes the 6-7th man on a darn good basketball team if Bass is here.

Yeah, I don't see Bass on this team next season. Give Sully minutes please Doc. However, I would still resign Wilcox because other than KG there so little experience up front with Steamer, Sully, Melo, JJJ.

[arambone]

We know that Garnett was reluctant to play center for years, and as good as he is down there, he did hold out on his decision until after the draft - a draft where two guys with center ability were taken in the early 20s.

I assume Garnett would rather defend away from the basket than take nightly elbows to his 37 year old ribs and kidneys, and you can't blame him.

I find it so crazy that Cleveland traded 24, 32, and 33 for Tyler Zeller. Sullinger has a taller standing reach and outweighs him by 20 pounds, with a lower center of gravity for leverage.


Sullinger and Melo might not make an ideal duo as our future frontcourt, because of Sullinger's vulnerability defensively 7+ feet away from the hoop, but it should still be an above average frontcourt overall.

They will be able to lay down some very hard shoulders/fouls to the likes of Lebron for years to come.

[arambone]

At first I didn't really want Bass to come back, but if he's mostly coming off the bench and relieving KG for 20-25 minutes a night, that could be a great insurance policy in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

I guess it would depend on the price. Certainly KG, Sullinger, Green, and JJ are sufficient in the event that Bass signs for more money elsewhere.

[Tr1boy]

Heck Naw! He actually reminds me of Charles Barkley

Even though Barkley and Sullinger share similiar bodies and skills, what separates both is that Barkley was very athletic and quick.

Barkley vertical jump was ridiculous in his prime and thats why he would be dunking on everyone.

Sullinger is more like a Zach Randolph, a rich man big baby

[arambone]

I wouldn't be surprised if Garnett played out his new 3 year contract.

Garnett, Sullinger, Melo could make a great frontcourt, hopefully as soon as the second half of this coming season.