That article was concerning. Not for the Celtics, but everyone. It shows that it may not be an effort issue, but an education issue, as it is with most people who try to get in shape. It still even amazes me at all the people who run like hamsters for hours on end every day (literally) then guzzle down a Gatorade and eat a banana when they get off it for the "electrolytes" (hello 60+ grams of sugar.) People are so ignorant on this (still), and it looks like Sullinger may be one here as well, sadly.
It's funny - I just had Jackie Mac on my show and we discussed Sullinger. I made the joke of "Bar him from the North End." It was a joke, but I was also being serious. Do not let this man eat even a breadcrumb.
One quote, of many, which stuck out was when he said that his snack was "a cup of fruit." First off, the best snack is no snack. Even the people with the most rigorous of lifestyles (and I'd say professional basketball is that) should EASILY be able to thrive of three good sized meals a day, if not two. Snacking, particularly on fruit is just as unhealthy as eating a piece of pizza.
I remember seeing a tweet I think from Grande with a pic of the Celts on the team plane right after a game and there were all these fruit salads made up for the players. I utterly cringed at the sight. I just did a piece on nutrition in sports a few months ago. Fructose, particularly after high intensity activity (a basketball game), when consumed - the sugar molecules goes predominantly to the liver. For most, just around only around 20% of it replenishes glycogen stores. Let alone the sugar spike it gives you when you're trying to get some sleep! For a guy like Sully, who may be more resistant to insulin than most - this could be that much bigger of an issue. Certainly moreso than "trying to burn off those extra 400 calories." 400 calories (depending on the source) is a drop in the bucket. Shouldn't mean much at all in terms of body fat.