An optimistic prediction for Sullinger

[ctrey]

I honestly believe he starts at the four next year and averages 15/10. Seriously, I am sure of it. In his interview today on ESPN he said he was playing on one leg the whole season. I am convinced his back will be fine. Surgeries for such things have come a long way, particularly for those people who can afford the type of treatment Sullinger can get.

His Per 40 averages were 12pts and 11rbs without them running a single play for him this year. Once he can get some actual looks along with his very good outside game he is easily going to put up a double double.

The team may not be all that great but it is clear Sullinger is going to take a major step forward next year.

[lightspeed5]

cant wait to see what sully is capable of

[indeedproceed]

Well 12 and 11 over 40 minutes isn't great, but one shouldn't get hung up on such things; part, like a big part, of that point total is due as you say to him not being anything more than an afterthought on most offensive possessions.

It would make a lot of sense to look at Tristan Thompson here. With Andersen Varejao, he looked quite pedestrian. Without Varejao his rebounding and scoring numbers jumped, making him a legit double double guy.

It would also need to be said that without Varejao, the team went from pretty bad to atrocious.

If KG and Pierce really are gone next year, this team will go from mediocre to really bad. Sullinger will likely be at worst the third option on offense, and will again be the team's best rebounding option. It's not inconcievable, and is far closer to probable that his numbers will jump to 15 and 10. It's also probable that the team doesn't win more than 33 games or so next season.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

You wan`t optimistic predictions? I say he`s the second coming of Charles Barkley! On a more serious note unless at least one of The Bucks, ir Raptors, or Philly, or Washington raise their game at least a level, I can see a starting lineup of Rondo-Bradley-Green-Bass-Sully (with Terry, Lee and TWill getting significant minutes off the bench) getting into the playoffs as an 8th seed looking like a cheap knock off of the Miami Heat.

[ianboyextreme]

Well 12 and 11 over 40 minutes isn't great, but one shouldn't get hung up on such things; part, like a big part, of that point total is due as you say to him not being anything more than an afterthought on most offensive possessions.

It would make a lot of sense to look at Tristan Thompson here. With Andersen Varejao, he looked quite pedestrian. Without Varejao his rebounding and scoring numbers jumped, making him a legit double double guy.

It would also need to be said that without Varejao, the team went from pretty bad to atrocious.

If KG and Pierce really are gone next year, this team will go from mediocre to really bad. Sullinger will likely be at worst the third option on offense, and will again be the team's best rebounding option. It's not inconcievable, and is far closer to probable that his numbers will jump to 15 and 10. It's also probable that the team doesn't win more than 33 games or so next season.

There is literally no evidence for that whatsoever. If you dont think that this team without Pierce and Garnett is better than, say, the Milwaukee Bucks, you are wrong. Period.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I don't see him starting next season if PP and KG return... unless that means we are going super big and AB is traded or benched. He was going to get the nod as a starter only b/c Doc didn't think Green was ready for it.

If Sully starts, our lineup would be

RR
PP
Green
Sully
KG


I don't see that working defensively.

Let's see the Mia mathup for one

RR vs. Chalmers/LeBron
PP vs. Wade/Lebron
Green vs. Lebron/Wade
Sully vs. Battier/Haslem/LeBron
KG vs. Bosh

I think you need another quick guy out there, like Bass or AB. Mia can cause so many matchup problems against those 5. With AB starting he can handle Wade more of one on one and he can also take on Chalmers if need be. Bass can guard Battier and Haslem who play outside the paint (personally I'd have Battier starting in this situation if I were Mia).

There is no hope for them stopping playoff RR so all they would have to do is contain the rest of the guys... and the other 4 guys not on RR a equipped to switch on any of our other guys and are good one on one defenders. It will also hurt the little rebounding we do already. Our best rebounders are KG, RR, and Sully (PP) and they won't be anywhere near the paint to get them.

Bosh can defend KG, Green, or Sully, LeBroid can handle 1-5, Battier can handle 3 or more of our guys one on one, Wade can stay with PP, Chalmers can't handle RR but he isn't a bad help defender. They are a great help defending team. Miami could pack the paint and force us to shoot jumpers and as you can see, that hasn't worked in our favor for seasons now.

[LGC88]

To me Sully can develop into a Zach Randolph type of player. Let's hope he works hard towards it.

[Celtics4ever]

I could see him being a Carlos Boozer type as well.