Sully plays 31 minutes: has 8 points, 15 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists.

[chambers]

Smart was the man tonight, and IT was his wingman on our run into the fourth quarter...

But even with a poor shooting night, Sully was again, an absolute beast around the basket getting us 2nd shot opportunities with 5 offensive rebounds. (during the game they said 6 but meh).

He faced Ibaka, Adams, Kanter and Collison and dominated everyone that attempted to outmuscle him down low. Both Adams and particularly Ibaka were getting frustrated and overwhelmed by his strength.

His hands in the passing lane and quick hands on post defense are very under rated, as is his passing out of the post and with his back to the basket.

Did anyone see him literally throw Steven Adams off with the left arm to secure the defensive rebound in the 4th quarter? lol

Good to see him play his second game of 30+ minutes this year and hold his own against some very solid competition inside.

Special mention to Olynyk to had 7 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in only 16.5 minutes.

These two, particularly Olynk, have improved their help defense immensely with active hands in the lanes. Kelly's probably the most improved defender on our team this season. I no longer worry about him being out there leaving a gaping hole in the middle.

[tarheelsxxiii]

TP for an observational, rollie-like post. Love these.

Completely agree, we looked good ... biggest turning point, in my eyes, was that we starting hitting 3s. Commented in the game thread that we were struggling b/c of their length/shot blocking but, if Smart hit a couple more and heated up, we had a chance. Turned out both he and IT got going from deep, and the rest was history.

Friends of mine that are not Cs fans (primarily NYers, probably salty about the Giants) are convinced we fall out of the playoffs. I'm not so sure. While it will have to be one of IND/WASH/MIL or us, if we utilize our depth well, Smart makes a leap of sorts, Amir stays healthy, KO continues to improve, and IT can be counted on more often than not (lot of Ifs)... we ought to make it. Will be a long season.

[GetLucky]

Sully had vacuum hands. He is truly an elite rebounder with some gifts (positioning, boxing out, and catching the ball, to name a few) that you cannot teach. He looks like 2012 Sullinger, the one who did the dirtywork and thrived off of easy looks and mop-up duty but could hit the open jumper when forgotten about. I'm very impressed and hope he keeps it up.

Olynyk looks amazing, especially on defense. He's looking for his shot more and keeping the offensive flow going at the same time. His help defense is tremendous, as he seems to have mastered the "contest the shot by going straight-up" technique, to the point where he does not foul or even leave the floor on most contests. Similar to Smart, the "hands-off" defensive method that Olynyk employs buys him a little more leeway to push with his chest without getting whistled for a foul.

[jayk009]

Where are all the people that said he was horrible and should be gone?

[max215]

Where are all the people that said he was horrible and should be gone?

Right here . Sully has been awesome this year, which I am absolutely thrilled about. However, his weight problems still concern me too much to give him long term money this offseason. I hope he keeps this up and we're able to use him as an important piece in a trade for a star.

[PhoSita]

Where are all the people that said he was horrible and should be gone?

He looked awful and out of shape in pre-season.  I thought he might lose his rotation spot, and I said as much.  He's been a lot better since the start of the regular season than I expected.

I'm glad I was wrong, and Sully has reasserted himself as one of the best players on the team.  I'm still concerned that he hasn't lost the kind of weight he needed to lose to avoid further weight-related injuries in the future, though, and that is the main thing that gives me pause when the subject of re-signing him comes up.

Also, he's currently shooting 42% from three on the year, and that will almost certainly not continue.

[Celtics18]

Sully's been a beast and has earned the slot as this team's primary power forward.  It certainly wasn't handed to him.

Way to work, Sully!!

[SHAQATTACK]

Earn n Max money 

[trickybilly]

Trade value skyrocketing.

[Celtics18]

Trade value skyrocketing.

That too.  Although, his impending free agency probably make him less attractive to trade for right now.

Danny almost has to re-sign him for whatever it costs to keep him this summer rather than just let him walk in free agency, right?

[Greyman]

I have every confidence that DA will put together a contending team in the very near future. The team is playing so well and so many of our 'role players' are stepping up and producing you feel an 'All Star' level player will be attracted.

I think Sully could be part of what the future holds rather than a trade asset. KO too, or I might be just becoming too attached to this group?

[TheFlex]

Love Sullinger playing center next to a wiry athlete like Amir at the 4. Labissiere intrigues me a lot for that reason. Thinking out loud here...

Sign Sullinger to 5y/$75-80m if he keeps this up. Let Zeller, Lee and Turner go (really unfortunate especially with respect to Turner, because Brad's done a great job figuring out how to make him an effective player at multiple positions, but Danny would probably prefer to stick with the cost-controlled James Young + other young'uns than make both roster and salary room for ET).

Tankathon sim gave Boston the 2nd pick via Brooklyn. Dallas has the 20th pick right now, which, to me, won't hold. I'd guess they fall in the 10-14 range, so I'll give them the 12th pick. Boston sits at 18th, which seems like a fair projection for where they'll end up at the end of the year.

Let's say they use the 2nd pick to nab Labissiere, then trade the 12th, 18th and a few of our early seconds (31 + 37 are our two earliest at the moment) for as high as we can go. I'd say we could get a pick in the 8-10 range. Let's say we get the 9th pick with that offer, and pick Justin Jackson. Use our next earliest second (right now 41) to select a point and then use the latest seconds (right now 55 and 59) as draft + stash picks.

IT/Rozier/Danilo Fuzaro (#41 selection)
Smart/A. Bradley/J. Young
Crowder/R.J. Hunter/Justin Jackson
Skal Labissiere/Amir Johnson/Jonas Jerebko
Sullinger/Olynyk/Jordan Mickey

Super fun team to watch next year. Continue to watch the team blossom.