Jared Sullinger is Playing Like ...

[danglertx]

You have to keep in mind that Oakley and Jones weren't stepping out to the three point line.  That brings Sully's FG% down.

[PhoSita]

You have to keep in mind that Oakley and Jones weren't stepping out to the three point line.  That brings Sully's FG% down.

That's true, but I'm looking at his True Shooting, which takes that into account.

[PhoSita]

Still Boozer for me. Chicago-era Carlos Boozer. Not his Utah peak.

Closest season for Boozer in Chicago was his first

29 years old, 2010-11, 17.6 TRB%, 14.3 AST%, 54.2 TS%

17.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists


Huge difference in terms of scoring production and efficiency.  Boozer didn't dip below 52% True Shooting until his last year in Chicago.  Was never below 17 points per 36 minutes after his first two years when he was on the Cavs.

[nickagneta]

Anthony Mason if Mason took three pointers.

[PhoSita]

Anthony Mason if Mason took three pointers.

Mason's career best TRB% was around 16.  His True Shooting percentages were all wayyyy higher, too, with the exception of his rookie season.

[Eja117]

.......like I hoped he would play last year

[TheTruthFot18]

Sully, Olynyk and Turner are playing more within themselves, that is why they are looking more comfortable this season. They are not trying to do things outside their comfort zone.

Last season I saw more 3 pt attempts Turner shouldn't be taking and more KO should be.

This year I'm glad to say they turned this around. Turner rarely shoots that 3 that AB or Crowder might while KO (still hesitates and pump fakes from time to time) takes the shots he should. Tommy seems to agree with KO's shots more this year.

[BDeCosta26]

First name that comes to my head is.... Troy Murphy?

If Sullinger can somehow morph into a 39% career three-point shooter, sure.

Were getting there. Isn't he like mid-30s right now?

I will say we've deff had teams going back on D, leaving a lot of open boards, but Sully has been an exceptional offensive rebounder this season too.

I've been very impressed with what Sully has been able to do so far. He's came into the first game of the season on the outside looking in, found a sliver of PT with KO being suspended and seized on it. He's playing like a man with something to prove. When we've needed to highlight his offensive abilities he's given it to us, his defense is much improved and his overall hustle and effort is MUCH better. Still more than that, his conditioning/shape have been improving as the season has progressed, which wasn't the case the past few years.

If he played on a team with shorter rotations he'd be at like 13/13 instead of 10/10. Considering the nature of our team though, he's doing quite well for himself. He could get some decent money this offseason if he keeps it up, or headline a trade package.

[PhoSita]

First name that comes to my head is.... Troy Murphy?

If Sullinger can somehow morph into a 39% career three-point shooter, sure.

Were getting there. Isn't he like mid-30s right now?

He's shooting 30.4% on 2 attempts per game.

At his peak Murphy was taking 3-4 threes a game and was hitting 40% or better.

[ssspence]

... a guy who could actually get traded for something.

[tankcity!]

Great post.

I hope we trade him though. He is going to be overpaid this summer and seems like a rebounding specialist like some have said already. He really needs to improve his FG%, seriously.

[Big333223]

Sully is playing great. The way he looks, I would pay a lot of money to keep this guy on the team long term. But with him, its going to be a big question as to whether or not he'll be able to sustain this level of effort after he gets paid, given how much work it took last summer to get him to this point.

Ainge has a tough decision to make.

[SHAQATTACK]

16million a year

[crimson_stallion]

Nice match with the Oakley!!!

I wouldn't stretch to Camby though!  Some of the stats might look similar, but Camby was a perennial DPOTY contender for years on end, and from what I recall was quite long and athletic.

I do feel Oakley was a bit tougher and had more of that 'Perk' mean streak to him, but in terms of their game probably very close.

[crimson_stallion]

Sully is playing great. The way he looks, I would pay a lot of money to keep this guy on the team long term. But with him, its going to be a big question as to whether or not he'll be able to sustain this level of effort after he gets paid, given how much work it took last summer to get him to this point.

Ainge has a tough decision to make.

I would never, ever, ever pay a lot of money to keep a Power Forward who is shooting 43% / 30% / 68%, is too slow to defend the perimeter, and is too short to protect the rim.

Sully really isn't good enough right not to be anything more than the 4th or 5th best player on any half decent team, and you don't pay your 4th or 5th best player huge contracts until you are a potential contender and need that piece.

Sully is proving he can be an elite rebounder, but he's just got too many weaknesses in his game to invest huge money in him.  He's a fringe starter / 6th man caliber talent and really should be paid like it.  Especially given the high risks involved (conditioning, health history, motivational history, etc).