Most comparable player to Sullinger

[LarBrd33]

His style of play reminds me of Carlos Boozer, but he's not at that level of consistency, obviously.

I really want to say something snarky in this thread, but Sully actually does seem to be consistently contributing this season.

He's averaging 22 points 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block per 36 minutes right now.  His minutes have been limited while we continue to showcase players like Bass, but Sully seems to be contributing in every game he plays.  So much so that I just added Sully to my fantasy team.  Lol.  He's put up solid numbers 6 games in a row.  That said, he did look horrible to me in preseason... so maybe he's just on a hot streak.

I think the West/Boozer stuff might actually be doable.  Comparing him to legends like Barkley is nutty.  I'm actually vaguely excited about Sullinger.  He's the youngest player on our team and yet he's producing.   

[cman88]

His style of play reminds me of Carlos Boozer, but he's not at that level of consistency, obviously.

I really want to say something snarky in this thread, but Sully actually does seem to be consistently contributing this season.

He's averaging 22 points 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block per 36 minutes right now.  His minutes have been limited while we continue to showcase players like Bass, but Sully seems to be contributing in every game he plays.  So much so that I just added Sully to my fantasy team.  Lol.  He's put up solid numbers 6 games in a row.  That said, he did look horrible to me in preseason... so maybe he's just on a hot streak.

I think the West/Boozer stuff might actually be doable.  Comparing him to legends like Barkley is nutty.  I'm actually vaguely excited about Sullinger.  He's the youngest player on our team and yet he's producing.

yeah, but I would chalk up his pre-season to being out of shape and out of the game for awhile.

he has had half a season last year of consistent play...and to me it looks like he is just building on the player he was last year and improving

[greg683x]

Anthony Mason in his prime is my comparable pick

[sofutomygaha]

In his second year in the league, he isn't a poor man's Kevin Love, he basically is Kevin Love. In their rookie seasons neither player shot threes, both players rebounded at fantastic rates. They're about the same size, they were both overweight, and their rates were similar across the board on both sides of the ball. Both were bench players who got occasional starts.

Check out this comparison of their rookie seasons: http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&p1=sullija01&y1=2013&p2=loveke01&y2=2009

Given that Love has maintained a rebounding rate of 20%+ for most of his career, and that Sullinger was at 18% last year, and 15% this year, the rebounding similarities are just a tad overblown.

Yeah, Love is such an anomaly.

Interesting to note on Sully's rebounding: I was a bit puzzled by the decline in rebounding numbers this year vs. last, but it appears to me that this is completely a function of how he's playing outside more on offense, and as more of a primary option.

His defensive rebound rate is pretty much identical to last year (22.1% to 21.4% this year), and all the decline is on the offensive boards (12.6% to 7.5% this year).

Love's ORB% has declined similarly (though they're still much higher) as his offensive game has shifted outside too.

I like the Boozer analogy better at this point, for what that's worth. But Boozer is still a pretty good player!

I assumed that the decline in rebounding rate for Sullinger is attributable to his rehab and present level of conditioning.  It's fair to point out that Love's rookie year rebounding rate was decidedly superior to Sullinger's, but it's definitely fair to say that they were both elite in that respect. I ought not have implied that Sullinger is Love's equal as a rebounder.

[Boris Badenov]

In his second year in the league, he isn't a poor man's Kevin Love, he basically is Kevin Love. In their rookie seasons neither player shot threes, both players rebounded at fantastic rates. They're about the same size, they were both overweight, and their rates were similar across the board on both sides of the ball. Both were bench players who got occasional starts.

Check out this comparison of their rookie seasons: http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&p1=sullija01&y1=2013&p2=loveke01&y2=2009

Given that Love has maintained a rebounding rate of 20%+ for most of his career, and that Sullinger was at 18% last year, and 15% this year, the rebounding similarities are just a tad overblown.

Yeah, Love is such an anomaly.

Interesting to note on Sully's rebounding: I was a bit puzzled by the decline in rebounding numbers this year vs. last, but it appears to me that this is completely a function of how he's playing outside more on offense, and as more of a primary option.

His defensive rebound rate is pretty much identical to last year (22.1% to 21.4% this year), and all the decline is on the offensive boards (12.6% to 7.5% this year).

Love's ORB% has declined similarly (though they're still much higher) as his offensive game has shifted outside too.

I like the Boozer analogy better at this point, for what that's worth. But Boozer is still a pretty good player!

I assumed that the decline in rebounding rate for Sullinger is attributable to his rehab and present level of conditioning.  It's fair to point out that Love's rookie year rebounding rate was decidedly superior to Sullinger's, but it's definitely fair to say that they were both elite in that respect. I ought not have implied that Sullinger is Love's equal as a rebounder.

I think Sully might improve his rebounding with a full offseason of good health, agreed. This might get him back up into the 10-11 per36 range.

It might also move him back into the post a little bit, perhaps? Better lower body strength could allow him to get better position.

And, he's still only 21. Plenty of time for further improvement. I think it's just a matter of staying healthy and being dedicated to being in top physical shape. (Neither are givens of course).

[kozlodoev]

I assumed that the decline in rebounding rate for Sullinger is attributable to his rehab and present level of conditioning.  It's fair to point out that Love's rookie year rebounding rate was decidedly superior to Sullinger's, but it's definitely fair to say that they were both elite in that respect. I ought not have implied that Sullinger is Love's equal as a rebounder.

Very good, yes. Elite, no.

It's fairly straightforward to identify who the elite rebounders were last year: guys who pulled 25-30% of the available defensive rebounds, and ~20% of rebounds overall. It's a pretty short list:

Evans, Vareajo, Asik, Drummond, Hickson, Vucevic, Randolph, Duncan, Howard, Chandler.

Cousins, Okafor, and Sanders are on the bubble.

Sullinger is in the tier below these guys.

[snively]

I like the Boozer analogy better at this point, for what that's worth. But Boozer is still a pretty good player!

Across the board, he's more similar to Luis Scola. But that's just how I see it.

Scola's prime lasted about 2-3 years in the NBA.  If Sully can have 7-9 years like Scola's prime (18 & , I'd take that.

[kozlodoev]

I like the Boozer analogy better at this point, for what that's worth. But Boozer is still a pretty good player!

Across the board, he's more similar to Luis Scola. But that's just how I see it.

Scola's prime lasted about 2-3 years in the NBA.  If Sully can have 7-9 years like Scola's prime (18 & , I'd take that.

I'm not sure Sullinger can stay healthy enough to have a prime of 7 to 9 years, especially if he needs a couple more to break out fully.

[VitorSullyandKOFan]

I love Sully's game but please lose some weight .

[jdub1660]

Didn't see this name come up as a comparison, but I say

Carl Landry

Undersized PF that still somehow grabs about 8 rebounds per game, and has higher double digit scoring games here and there, between the paint and 12 feet.

[mgent]

I don't think he's a versatile enough scorer to become a David West, Zach Randolph, or Carlos Boozer (20ppg players).

I think Scola is much more realistic.  More than capable from inside or out, and enough ability to put the ball on the floor, but not a nightly go-to guy like the first 3.  Landry is an okay comparison, although I don't think their games are as similar.

[The_Truth]

Big Baby in his prime  He needs to lose some pounds ASAP. I do see All-Star potential.

[2short]

A bigger Adrian Dantley

I had put this idea out eons ago but he reminds me of Paul Silas.  Adrian dantley and Wes unseld are two good ideas as well

[BudweiserCeltic]

I don't think he's a versatile enough scorer to become a David West, Zach Randolph, or Carlos Boozer (20ppg players).

I think Scola is much more realistic.  More than capable from inside or out, and enough ability to put the ball on the floor, but not a nightly go-to guy like the first 3.  Landry is an okay comparison, although I don't think their games are as similar.

What makes you think he's not a versatile scorer? He can pretty much score from anywhere on the floor, so I don't know what you're getting at.

[mgent]

I don't think he's a versatile enough scorer to become a David West, Zach Randolph, or Carlos Boozer (20ppg players).

I think Scola is much more realistic.  More than capable from inside or out, and enough ability to put the ball on the floor, but not a nightly go-to guy like the first 3.  Landry is an okay comparison, although I don't think their games are as similar.

What makes you think he's not a versatile scorer? He can pretty much score from anywhere on the floor, so I don't know what you're getting at.

Read my post, I admitted, like Scola, he's capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor.  This doesn't mean he can score in a variety of ways.  Guys like ZBo are elite scores because they have so many things they can throw at you down low.  Same with DWest crossing players over and Boozer dunking on bigger guys.

Guys like Scola, Landry, Big Baby, Olynyk can score from anywhere on the floor too, that doesn't make them special enough to be 20pt scorers.