What can we expect down the stretch from Sully?

[dwoumn]

Sully talking to the media said that he wants to take a lesser roll with the team as he shakes off the rust and because the team is rolling since he got injured.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4718765/celtics-helping-sullinger-shake-off-rust

Down the stretch, how can Sully contribute to the playoff push? Will he hurt the chemistry that the C's have developed since he went down?

I think Sully can help us on both offense & defense glass, gives us a viable post play, and even more depth to the frontcourt. Before his injury, I believe Sully was the best Celtic on the court... hopefully he can gain some of that pack down the stretch and if the C's make the playoffs.

[sofutomygaha]

I think that if we're still playing in about a month, he'll be a big help. Between now and then, though, I think he has more impact than Gigi but less than Jonas. =)

[LarBrd33]

We won 4 of his last 5 games pre-injury and he was pretty darn productive:  18.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1 steal... 29.4mpg... That's like Top 17 production over those 5 games.   Per-36, he was a top 5 player during those 5 games.  Lol.

Tiny sample size, but it's a shame he got injured when he did.  If he gets healthy and starts playing like that again, it could be HUGE.  He could literally be the difference between getting swept by Atlanta and losing in 5. 

[kozlodoev]

To stay out of the way and not mess it up. That's mostly on Brad, really.

[Neurotic Guy]

We won 4 of his last 5 games pre-injury and he was pretty darn productive:  18.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1 steal... 29.4mpg... That's like Top 17 production over those 5 games.   Per-36, he was a top 5 player during those 5 games.  Lol.

Tiny sample size, but it's a shame he got injured when he did.  If he gets healthy and starts playing like that again, it could be HUGE.  He could literally be the difference between getting swept by Atlanta and losing in 5.

Great line - TP. 

[Snakehead]

I hope he isn't playing too much until he at least proves he will hustle and play defense.  Our team is having success with guys like Jerebko because they play hard and hustle and that makes all the difference.  They are also better three point shooters and still seem less likely than Sully to jack a three pointer which I am growing tired of watching.

Yes he can handle bigger players than say Jerebko or Olynyk can.  But Olynyk or Jerebko drag those players out to three in games and in some cases just force other teams to take their centers out of the game entirely.  When we just played Toronto they weren't playing Jonas down the stretch until they had to because they went small.  I'd rather go that route.  It plays to our strengths.

[SHAQATTACK]

IF ...

The basketball gods allow Celtics into the playoffs


The game will be more of grind it out style play.

Sully should be very useful  in the paint. 








A big wide bulldozer is always useful .

[Celtics4ever]

We won 4 of his last 5 games pre-injury and he was pretty darn productive:  18.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1 steal... 29.4mpg... That's like Top 17 production over those 5 games.   Per-36, he was a top 5 player during those 5 games.  Lol.

Tiny sample size, but it's a shame he got injured when he did.  If he gets healthy and starts playing like that again, it could be HUGE.  He could literally be the difference between getting swept by Atlanta and losing in 5.

He does play well vs. ATL  But...

http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fantasy/nba/boston-celtics/players/jared-sullinger/byopponent/15/2/25

Horford shot .77% against him and scored 22 points to his 17 and had a 33 EFF against Jared

http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fantasy/nba/boston-celtics/players/jared-sullinger/matchups/15/2/25/2-5

Anything he gives you is usually less than he gives the other team with his poor defense.  Horford had a field day with him.

I hope they are showing him so he can be traded.   It is what he doesn't give you that hurts a team in Sully's regard.   Defense, good shot selection, etc.

[celticsclay]

We won 4 of his last 5 games pre-injury and he was pretty darn productive:  18.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1 steal... 29.4mpg... That's like Top 17 production over those 5 games.   Per-36, he was a top 5 player during those 5 games.  Lol.

Tiny sample size, but it's a shame he got injured when he did.  If he gets healthy and starts playing like that again, it could be HUGE.  He could literally be the difference between getting swept by Atlanta and losing in 5.

Maybe losing in 6?

I had a theory I was going to float?

Do Teams in Atlanta's position seem to give up a game or two to teams they shouldn't? This is a theory that is based on recollection rather fact, so it could be pretty false. However, I feel like teams that are top seeds that don't have a clear superstar lose a game extra per series because they don't someone that can take over in close games/get calls down the stretch. Lebron's heat were the opposite of this of this because they had Lebron, they would quickly sweep the bobcats, bucks or whichever team made the playoffs against them as the 8 or 7 seed. They went 16-2 in Lebron's 4 years there.

I remember teams like the Spurs last year, or the Celtics in our big 3 hour that didn't have one clear superstar that end up losing a game or two (or sometimes going 7). Do people think it is easier to steal games from a "team" like atlanta with a bunch of really good players, but no crunchtime monster?