KG already reaching out to the rooks....and other tibits from todays Presser

[xmuscularghandix]

Does Sullinger remind anyone of Big Al Jefferson at all?

I see it. But the comparison I see most is Kevin Love. However I mean the Kevin Love that everyone thought he would be when he came out. Not the one he turned into. Clearly he is much better then anyone truly ever thought he would be.

I can't get the Carlos Boozer comparison out of my head in terms of defense, rebounding, midrange, post game, struggles against length.

I see David West with better low post game in Sully. Not bad.

Agreed, I see a LOT of David West offensively but Sully will probably be a better rebounder.

[Snakehead]

Does Sullinger remind anyone of Big Al Jefferson at all?

I see it. But the comparison I see most is Kevin Love. However I mean the Kevin Love that everyone thought he would be when he came out. Not the one he turned into. Clearly he is much better then anyone truly ever thought he would be.

I can't get the Carlos Boozer comparison out of my head in terms of defense, rebounding, midrange, post game, struggles against length.

I see David West with better low post game in Sully. Not bad.

Agreed, I see a LOT of David West offensively but Sully will probably be a better rebounder.

I'd say definitely a better rebounder.  He was the best in this draft class.

Probably not as good of a shooter but a better post scorer, but I think the David West comparison is pretty apt as far as a bit undersized but skilled PF.

[wahz]

Melo with Wilts number. Here is hoping!

[jv2764]

Does Sullinger remind anyone of Big Al Jefferson at all?

I see it. But the comparison I see most is Kevin Love. However I mean the Kevin Love that everyone thought he would be when he came out. Not the one he turned into. Clearly he is much better then anyone truly ever thought he would be.

I think you ought to temper your thoughts on Sullinger.  I just think he is a very good college basketball player who's low post game wont translate to the NBA due to his lack of athleticism.  He reminds me of Jason Maxiel/Leon Powe

[TBreezy]

Does Sullinger remind anyone of Big Al Jefferson at all?

I see it. But the comparison I see most is Kevin Love. However I mean the Kevin Love that everyone thought he would be when he came out. Not the one he turned into. Clearly he is much better then anyone truly ever thought he would be.

I think you ought to temper your thoughts on Sullinger.  I just think he is a very good college basketball player who's low post game wont translate to the NBA due to his lack of athleticism.  He reminds me of Jason Maxiel/Leon Powe

How so - both of those players were undersized by super athletic.  Neither has the jumper that Sullinger has either, not the assorment of post moves.  Powe's tenacity and quickness is what made him  a valuable post presence...

[chambers]

Does Sullinger remind anyone of Big Al Jefferson at all?

I see it. But the comparison I see most is Kevin Love. However I mean the Kevin Love that everyone thought he would be when he came out. Not the one he turned into. Clearly he is much better then anyone truly ever thought he would be.

I think you ought to temper your thoughts on Sullinger.  I just think he is a very good college basketball player who's low post game wont translate to the NBA due to his lack of athleticism.  He reminds me of Jason Maxiel/Leon Powe

Leon Powe was a potential All Star at one point, freakishly athletic. Then he got injured and had to turn into an interior player. Sully's been in the paint his whole life using his weight instead of his height to make it difficult to block his shot. I do understand what you mean though, we can't expect a Paul Millsap or Big Al 2.0 just yet.

[Celtics4ever]

KG = leadership!

[arambone]

Sullinger has dominated at every level.

NCAA First team twice.

Expect him to expand his game as much as needed to do the same in the NBA.

Extend his range, improve his face-up game and dribble drives, add more finesse post moves like turnaround fadeaways, add more strength to become as immovable in the post as he was at 280 pounds freshman year.

It's all well within his ability, and he has plenty of motivation.

Leave the shock for the rest of the league

[celticinorlando]

Sully will be better than brand but a notch below Love. If he gets the 12 foot midrange game down pat...sully will be an  all star

[arambone]

Sully will be better than brand but a notch below Love. If he gets the 12 foot midrange game down pat...sully will be an  all star

"Kansas' Robinson got a slight nod among personnel types over Ohio State's Sullinger, but the difference is tiny. Either could go in the top five, depending on who's doing the picking and what they need.

"Robinson's next," said a veteran Western Conference scout whose team won't be picking high enough to take him. "He's probably a more aggressive player. Although Sullinger can step out and shoot the jump shot, whereas Thomas really can't."

http://www.nba.com/news/features/david_aldridge/big-board-power-forwards/index.html

[celticinorlando]

Sully will be better than brand but a notch below Love. If he gets the 12 foot midrange game down pat...sully will be an  all star

"Kansas' Robinson got a slight nod among personnel types over Ohio State's Sullinger, but the difference is tiny. Either could go in the top five, depending on who's doing the picking and what they need.

"Robinson's next," said a veteran Western Conference scout whose team won't be picking high enough to take him. "He's probably a more aggressive player. Although Sullinger can step out and shoot the jump shot, whereas Thomas really can't."

http://www.nba.com/news/features/david_aldridge/big-board-power-forwards/index.html

I am an Ohio State Alum...saw Sully play every minute of every game the last 2 years...He has a nice outside stroke but doesn't take it nearly enough...once he can hit is with regularity he will be a beast.

[mctyson]

Does Sullinger remind anyone of Big Al Jefferson at all?

I see it. But the comparison I see most is Kevin Love. However I mean the Kevin Love that everyone thought he would be when he came out. Not the one he turned into. Clearly he is much better then anyone truly ever thought he would be.

I think you ought to temper your thoughts on Sullinger.  I just think he is a very good college basketball player who's low post game wont translate to the NBA due to his lack of athleticism.  He reminds me of Jason Maxiel/Leon Powe

How athletic is Zach Randolph?  How athletic is Al Jefferson? Or Kevin Love? Or Boozer? Or Carl Landry? David West? Elton Brand? DeJuan Blair? 

Sullinger is a prototypical NBA PF who plays on the block.

[jv2764]

Are you the same guy who was touting Luke Harrangody as the second coming 2 years ago?

[clover]

Fascinating about KG reaching out to him already.

It's almost like he's signed up for player/coach with the new contract--and he know's Melo will be his biggest challenge!

[Professor of Rondology]

I think Sully is going to make a HUGE difference on this Celtics team (provided that his back is a non-issue).  His rebounding will be extremely important (he is already the Cs best rebounder not named KG) for a team that struggled mightily all season in that department.
His offense will be mediocre at first as he learns to get shots off against bigger, stronger, NBA defenders- but he has great touch around the basket and the beginnings of a good mid-range game; his offense will improve over time until eventually it is one of his strengths, as it was in college.  
I'm not even going to talk about his defense until he has at least a week of working with KG under his belt, but I think that his high IQ and great work ethic will eventually make him an at-worst solid defender (as long as KG is there to provide instruction)