Most NBA players know what they are supposed to say to the media. For those who don't, they typically have lots of people around them letting them know.
That's a very different thing than truly feeling the need to do what it is they say they will do. Most of these players got to the NBA by being the best of the best despite whatever issues there may have been with their work ethic or fitness. So it's really up to the player whether it's going to sink in that the NBA requires a different level of commitment.
Guys like Sullinger, James Young, etc ... maybe they decide that yes, succeeding in the league will require a totally different approach than what got them here. Maybe they don't, and they never get beyond where they are now, or they fall out of the league entirely.
I think that's what made me so happy about the article ESPN ran on Young yesterday. That story really emphasized the tremendous amount of work he's already put in this summer. He's gained 15 pounds, shed some body fat, added 3 inches to his vertical, and he's been in Waltham putting in work with the team more than almost anyone. Both Ainge and Stevens had quotes taken directly for the story praising Youngs effort and work ethic this off-season and their belief in him.
When have we ever read a story like that about Sullinger? It worries me that of all the guys I've read who have come to Waltham this summer (Smart, Young, KO, Bradley, etc .) Sullinger has been in Ohio. I don't have a problem with guys training on their own, they're under no obligation to stay in Mass, but if I were Sully I'd be there as much as anyone. Ainge publicly called him out for not putting in the work. You'd think he would be in the facility all the time, using all the resources available there and showing Ainge and CBS that he's willing to do everything possible to be the best he can be. I mean, if I had to bet I would say he comes into camp in as good a shape as ever, simply because he understands he's at a cross-roads and if he wants to get paid, he needs to have his best season to date. I think Satch will pretty much force him. But it's still concerning. I'm sure they have guys checking up on him, so if Ainge isn't happy with his progress so far I think he trades him in the next month or two. Sully's value will diminish by the day if he doesn't show significant progress.
I think Okafor is obviously more talented than Sullinger, but that type of mind-set is certainly a concern, especially if your considering using a top 5 pick on him. That kind of attitude, while sometimes changeable or dependent on surroundings, could be the difference in whether Okafor becomes a guy like Al Jefferson or a guy closer to Tim Duncan.
Topic: Interesting Sully Reference in Grantland Article (Read 4481 times)