Sullinger's Interior Defense

[Yenohb]

Since Jared Sullinger's insertion into the lineup as a Center. Opposing Centers\Big Men that were defended by him are shooting a mere 35% on the floor. And these aren't just mig men scrubs, we're talking about All Star caliber big men who are established efficient post scorers.

Duncan    3\13 = 23%
Hibbert   3\11 = 27%
Horford   9\19 = 47%
Jefferson 6\14 = 43%
Randolph  5\16 = 31%

[KGs Knee]

My first question would be, are these the actual numbers when Sullinger was actually guarding these players, or just their numbers from the entire game?  I don't think I actually saw any of these games, so I'd be interested to know.

Besides that, I just don't think Sullinger is a legitimate solution, long-term, at center, even if he has had a few good games playing there.  Far too undersized and lacking in leaping ability.  I'd say we should be hoping Sully has a career arc far more similar to David West, than any center.

[Snakehead]

Sullinger is great at getting these players out of position and denying them post up opportunities.  He really is practically a wrestler in defense, between some of his off the top rope fouls and how he grapples for position against guys like Hibbert and Duncan.

[McHales Pits]

I find it peculiar that he has had success against slow, unathletic, ground-bound centers and Horford - the most athletic of the bunch - basically put in 50% against him.

[mmmmm]

Just to provide more  explicit break downs:

So far, with Sullinger NOT on the floor (861 possessions), opponents have taken 752 FGA.  Of those, 32 were dunk attempts (4.3%), 210 were layups (27.9%) and 12 were tip-in attempts (1.6%).  Overall, opponents attempted 476 (50%) of their 752 shots within 9 feet of the basket, completing 203 (43%) of those close shots.

With Sullinger ON the floor (721 possessions), opponents have taken 626 FGA.  Of those, 24 (3.8%) were dunk attempts, 160 (25.6%) were layups and 10 (1.6%) were tip-ins.  Overall opponents attempted 309 (49.3%) of their 626 shots within 9 feet of the basket, completing  107 (35%) of those close shots.

So ... slightly fewer dunks and layups with Sullinger on the floor and a big decrease in shooting efficiency on close-in shots with him on the floor.

Our best front-court threesome overall has been Sullinger + Green + Olynyk.

[Vox_Populi]

Duncan's been in a slump all year, so take his poor performance against Sully as more of the same. And Jefferson's shooting 44% for the season, so he had about an average game. Regardless, I've liked what I've seen from Sully defensively.

[mgent]

Sullinger takes the game seriously.  This is the difference between him and Green.  Sully is the best player on the court in his mind and goes out with the intention of embarrassing guys like Duncan.

Green doesn't make it a point to try and dominate his matchup every night, he doesn't have that same relentless hunger.  He didn't even care that Pierce was upstaging him with less efficient scoring.  Sully plays with a point to prove and I hope some of his intensity rubs off on Green.

[hwangjini_1]

and let's not forget that sully still has not played a full season of nba basketball. he was injured part of his rookie year.

he is just in his second year in the nba, recovering from back surgery, and we can see that he makes the team better on defense, and the number above support this.

he is not an elite defender, but he does a good job of pushing people away from the basket and making them fight to get their shots off.

and, for what it is worth, have you seen how sully punishes opponents on break aways trying to dunk? he picked up a flagrant one foul earlier and he punished others.

sully is physical and strong. give him a few more years and he will be even stronger and harder to deal with.

he is not a star on offense or defense, but he is going to be very good on both ends. ainge was lucky and did a great job in picking him up late in the draft.

[Celtics4ever]

Great at the pushing part not so great at the rim protection.

Duncan in his prime would have licked his chops to have got off a guy as earthbound as Sully.

[LarBrd33]

I thought he looked terrible in preseason, but Sullinger is turning into a heck of an asset. 

It almost seems like like compares favorably to Big Al at the same age (21).  Is Sullinger a better asset than 21 year old Big Al?

[D.o.s.]

I thought he looked terrible in preseason, but Sullinger is turning into a heck of an asset. 

It almost seems like like compares favorably to Big Al at the same age (21).  Is Sullinger a better asset than 21 year old Big Al?

I don't think so, but I think that has more to do with the level of player analysis that exists now. Fewer "Old-school" NBA GM's, and things like that.

[mgent]

I thought he looked terrible in preseason, but Sullinger is turning into a heck of an asset. 

It almost seems like like compares favorably to Big Al at the same age (21).  Is Sullinger a better asset than 21 year old Big Al?

No.  Jefferson was the first and only option on that team without Pierce/TA and responded with 16 and 11.  Sullinger is 13 and 7 with worse efficiency, and he has Green, Bass, Bradley, and Crawford all drawing attention away from him.

Jefferson was consistently drawing double teams for his squad, even at 21.  He was even scoring on double teams.  Sully doesn't draw much help period, and I don't think he's ever even seen a double team on a post up.  Rather, defenders tend to help OFF of him, leaving him with open shots, much easier than the ones Al was creating for himself.

[slamtheking]

I thought he looked terrible in preseason, but Sullinger is turning into a heck of an asset. 

It almost seems like like compares favorably to Big Al at the same age (21).  Is Sullinger a better asset than 21 year old Big Al?

I don't think he's at that level yet but he's definitely a very good one at this point.  He's not untouchable but there'd need to be a really good deal to move him.

[erisred]

Defensively, Sullinger has been better than I thought he would be. He's not great, but he's not a liability either. I'd say a little above average, and I think he's still playing out of position. Sully is a PF, he's not a C.

[Celtics4ever]

I thought he looked terrible in preseason, but Sullinger is turning into a heck of an asset. 

Being out of shape will do that to a fellow...

I think it is safe to say he will be better than Big Baby.  I recall those comparisons now made on this board with a smile.