Will Jared Sullinger Develop a Mid-Range Jumper?

[LooseCannon]

In my attempt to get away from "all-Clippers all the time" posting, I pose this question.

I would like Sullinger to develop a dependable mid-range jumper.  It wouldn't be so that he would stop scoring inside, but so that he would have a multi-faceted offense.  He can post up against some players, but against taller defenders who clog the middle, maybe he can step back and take an open mid-range jumper against a big man who is uncomfortable away from the basket.  Additionally, it helps to have some jump-shooting ability from the 4 to spread the floor if Rondo is the PG.

So will Sullinger do it?  If so, how long will it take for him to prove it so that defenses have to adjust? 

According to basketball-reference.com, Sullinger took 102 of 225 shots at the rim, making 111 (or 66.7%) of them.  He was 8-15 from 10 to 16 ft and 18-50 on long twos 16 feet or longer.  In his last year of college, he was 16-40, or 40%, on three-point shots.

Fun (or not-so-fun) fact: On jump shots between 3 and 10 feet, Sullinger was 2-30, or a 6.7% shooter.

[esel1000]

Hmm idk. I think he has a pretty good midrange already from what I've seen. That 3-10 ft % you posted is fairly staggering though

[PhoSita]

He's already got a pretty decent mid-range jumper, he just needs to be featured in the offense more in order to get a chance to use it.

I expect Sullinger to work in the occasional three pointer to his game, too.

If he's playing next to Deandre Jordan he's going to need to work on spreading the floor so as not to clog the paint, but we'll also need him to do some work on the block now and then.

[droopdog7]

Um, he can already shoot from midrange.  In the summer league, he was shooting from three as well.  Obviously, more work will only help him.  But he's already mostly there.

[coco]

I hope so, cause right now he can't get a shot off down low.

[Eddie20]

Um, he can already shoot from midrange.  In the summer league, he was shooting from three as well.  Obviously, more work will only help him.  But he's already mostly there.

Exactly. He'll only get better too as he builds confidence.

[sofutomygaha]

Yup. He already has a beautiful midrange jumper that he more than proved in college. We just haven't called his number much yet.

[Evantime34]

He's going to develop an NBA three point stroke, although I'm pretty sure I'd rather have him near the basket getting boards though.

[saltlover]

I hope so, cause right now he can't get a shot off down low.

Shooting 67% at the rim isn't that bad, and assisted on half of them means they're not all putbacks.  He can get his shot off just fine.

[Who]

He [dang] well better. Hard to be starting PF in this league without at least mid-range jumper.

I am optimistic. I thought Sully showed a good foundation to build off. Needs to gain a lot more confidence in those shots though. Sully looked okay shooting them but he didn't look for it nearly enough when he was on the court. Clearly not confident in his current jump-shooting skills. 

[LooseCannon]

Follow-up question: Will Sullinger end up with a better mid-range jumper than Bass?

Bass was 46.3% from 10 to <16 ft and 44.4% from 16 ft to <3-pt.  Sullinger shot 53.3% in the first range, but that is based on a small sample dize of 15 shots, and 36.0% from the longer range, based on 50 shots.  (Bass took 162 and 216 shots from those respective ranges.)

Is Rondo passing to Sullinger for an open 15-foot jump shot attempt going to be something we should expect to see at least once per game when both are healthy?

[Who]

Follow-up question: Will Sullinger end up with a better mid-range jumper than Bass?

Bass has been one of the top long two point jump-shooters in the league (amongst league leaders) for the last 6 years. Since his Dallas days.

I don't think you can expect someone like Sully to be able to shoot the ball like Bass. If he does it, great, but that is just a really high bar for Sully to pass.

[Who]

Is Rondo passing to Sullinger for an open 15-foot jump shot attempt going to be something we should expect to see at least once per game when both are healthy?

Definitely.

When (if) Sully gets more confident in that shot and becomes a 30-35 minute a night player down the road, I think Sully should be looking for 3-4 FGAs from long two point range and another 2 from midrange. Hopefully another 4-5 FGAs at the basket and another short shot or two inside ten feet. 10-13 FGAs a game. Plus 3-5 FTAs per game.

I am looking for a shot distribution like that.

In the meantime, I expecting more like 8-10 FGAs in 28-32 minutes a night. A 50-50 split between paint shots and jump-shots outside the paint. Mostly long twos rather than midrange ones. Especially if DeAndre Jordan is the starting center because Sully will have to space the floor.

[Celtics4ever]

Sully is a better passer than Bass already.   Bass is a light's put jumpshooter.   I hope Sully doesn't try to be an outside guy because he has good hands and can rebound.  It's not a bad thing to have inside players folks.   Tim Duncan looked good last night and has had a long effective career.   I would rather have an inside four that can board and score and do dirty work than a finesse jump shooting four.  KG can do either.   Bass can defend and is athletic but he just isn't committed to rebounding.   I will be honest I won't miss our lack of commitment on the boards when Doc leaves.

[clover]

All it will take for Sully to be making mid-range jumpers this year is a new coach--and it looks like he's going to get that.