Why Jared Sullinger Is Ready to Exceed Expectations for Boston Celtics
No one wants to overestimate the lasting impact of preseason performances.
But you'll have to forgive Boston Celtics fans for getting a little excited about what Jared Sullinger has done through his first seven games of the season before the season. He's averaged 14.9 points per game over that span and topped it off with 21 points and 19 rebounds in a 95-90 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
The 22-year-old assembled that line in just 29 minutes of the experimental 44-minute game.
Yes, it's a preseason game—but it's also the second consecutive one in which Sullinger scored 21 points, an encore after he converted on eight of 10 field-goal attempts en route to a 111-91 victory against the mega-rebuilding Philadelphia 76ers.
"The hard work I put in in the offseason is finally paying off," Sullinger told reporters after Sunday's contest.
Perhaps the real takeaway from those two games is that the Ohio State product made a combined seven of 11 three-point attempts, building upon a preseason trend in which he's made 14 of 26 attempts. It's a small sample size, but it's also an incredibly respectable mark of 53.8 percent from beyond the arc.
In the Celtics' bid to make Sullinger more Kevin Love-like, the early returns are an encouraging sign.
"Coach [Brad Stevens] has a lot of confidence in me to take those shots when I'm open," Sullinger recently told reporters. "When I'm open I just take the open shot. I'm lucky enough that they're going in right now. Hopefully, that's not just preseason bluff, hopefully it carries over to the regular season."
Adding such a weapon could be a game-changer for a team that only made 33.3 percent of its three-point attempts in 2013-14, a mark that ranked 27th league-wide. This isn't just about the three-pointers themselves; it's about their ability to open lanes in which Boston's slashers can operate.
"It helps guys like that because we take away the shot-blocker," Sullinger added. "Nine times out of 10 I have the center on me, and that's mostly the shot-blocker. So I kind of take the shot-blocker away from the bucket, and he's kind of got to be concerned the way I'm shooting the ball right now."
It wasn't always this way.
Sullinger is banking on a little health and stability correcting a long-range shot that was effective just 26.9 percent of the time a season ago.
"He shot a lot of [three-pointers] last year and shot it pretty well when his hand wasn't hurt," Stevens told reporters this month. "But his hand was hurt most of the year.
"His stroke looks great and his touch is great and he doesn't have any arc issues. So you felt like he'd be a guy that could really shoot that well. Obviously, he's shooting it very well, and hopefully that continues because he's put in a lot of work. He's clearly improved his shooting."
As the Boston Herald's Mark Murphy recently put it, "This part of Sullinger's game is clearly more than an experiment now."
Sullinger's sophomore campaign was a mixed bag. On the one hand, he averaged a solid 13.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, starting 44 games and playing 27.6 minutes per contest. It was a dramatic increase in responsibility from a promising but underwhelming rookie season.
On the other hand, though, 2013-14 included some efficiency problems, namely a 42.7 percent mark from the field down from the 49.3 percent of field-goal attempts Sullinger made as a rookie.
"Last year was a nightmare," Sullinger told reporters at the team's media day in September.
He cited his dislocated index finger as a primary culprit for the shooting woes.
"That kind of hurt my jump shot tremendously due to my follow-through," he add at media day. "I was following through on my middle finger instead of my index finger like I usually do. Now with that being healthy, I think I'll be okay."
So there's real reason to believe Sullinger's preseason shooting is—to some degree—a sign of things to come. It may not put them in the playoff conversation, but it could signify another step forward in the organization's rebuilding process.
Of all Boston's young pieces—which includes Kelly Olynyk along with rookies Marcus Smart and James Young—Sullinger appears closest to reaching his prime. The two-year veteran has been a quick learner since the franchise selected him with the 21st overall pick in 2012.
He could also be a little quicker on his feet this season after having a full summer to work out and lower his weight from the 280-pound range.
"I think conditioning was a big factor [last season]," Sullinger explained in July. "Late in the game, I'd get tired and stop doing the things that I normally do in the first quarter. I think conditioning will kind of help that out."
"I think I've got quick feet for my size," he added. "Losing weight and getting in better shape is only going to enhance that."
Added mobility (and perhaps endurance) should improve Sullinger's all-around game, particularly on the defensive end. It's the kind of difference that won't show as readily as the three-point accuracy, but the Celtics will take whatever progress they can get after a 25-win season with precious few silver linings.
Indeed, Sullinger's evolution will almost certainly be one of the team's few bright spots this season, proof that its in-house talent is better than advertised.
Questions about Sullinger's ceiling—and durability—have persisted since fears about chronic back problems first hurt his draft stock back in 2012. His rookie season ended after 45 games because of necessary back surgery, further casting doubt on whether the once-promising prospect could develop a comfort zone at the pro level.
Last season did a lot to change that narrative, showcasing Sullinger's ability to remain on the floor and produce at a high level and proving he's already a serviceable player in this league.
This season could be the next chapter in a rapidly evolving story, especially because this fitter, more accurate Sullinger will have a little extra help this season. Old friend Evan Turner joins Boston's roster in a bid to get his young career back on track, and pass-first point guard Rajon Rondo should be around on a full-time basis after playing just 30 games last season (after recovering from a torn ACL).
Rondo hasn't been ruled out for an opening-night return despite fracturing his left hand during September.
Rondo and Turner are both playmakers who can make the most of Sullinger's newfound stroke, assuring him quality looks and the kind of field-goal percentage that comes with them.
It's beginning to seem like a perfect storm for Sullinger, the foundation for an emergent third season that will otherwise try the patience of Celtics fans. When you look for a light at the end of the tunnel, you might just see No. 7 instead.
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