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[ctrey]

I know he is getting shafted by the refs but this guy just keeps getting better and better.

Today from David Thorpe on ESPN.com:

Better than his raw numbers suggest


Sullinger
Jared Sullinger, Celtics | Rookie card
When NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith was in high school, legend has it that he would close his eyes after first seeing how the defense was lined up and not open them until he felt contact, simply because he was so bored. He finished his prep career as the leading rusher in high school history, then earned the same historical record in the NFL.

When I watched Sullinger play before this season, I often thought of Smith's legend, because Sullinger so far outclassed most of his competition -- he was almost as dominant as a player can be in high school and in his two years at Ohio State. So when we see he's averaging 5 points and 5 rebounds for an average Celtics team, it would be easy to think he's not in the same class as the top players and certainly not in Smith's atmosphere.

But look deeper and you will see there is gold in Sullinger's game. It just needs the light of day to be seen.

Kevin Garnett might be a top-five defender if we consider every NBA big over the past 25 years -- that's how special he is. He's still almost at the top of his game on that end and probably the best help defender in basketball (though Joakim Noah is closing fast). Sullinger, though, is proving to be almost as good on defense for the Celtics as KG, a fact that gets lost because so many of their teammates are not on their level.

On the glass, Sullinger has been dominant, with a defensive rebounding rate of 22.1, second only to world-class athlete Andre Drummond among rooks. Sullinger has tackled the challenge of being more than a scoring machine beautifully, proving he can do the dirty work despite being such a star for so long. It will serve him well when he begins to get more offensive opportunities.

I give it another two weeks. When Wilcox can play again I bet they deal Bass and let Sully start. I would love to see them run just a few plays for this kid.

[lightspeed5]

he didnt start but he played more minutes than bass. its a tough call because he gets so many fouls, i think they'll play it like it is for now.

[hpantazo]

The refs absolutely hate Sullinger with a passion! I know rookies don't get respect from refs, but this is on an entirely different level. 70% of the foul calls on him are a joke.

[ScottHow]

I don't even know if the refs will let him start

[hpantazo]

I don't even know if the refs will let him start

yea they might call a flagrant 2 on him before the tipoff if he starts

[BudweiserCeltic]

If we start playing well, I don't think he'll start as long as Bass is here.

He'll only get the nod if we still don't play well, and he's playing well.

[SHAQATTACK]

I love listening to Tommy brag on Sully.    Tommy is so happy somebody is finally get tuff around the rim.  And so Am I.

I don't care if he fouls ou long as he is getting the upper hand, frustating the olther tuff guys.  KG NEEDS Sully to help him .   Sully is the part of KG that age has taken away.

[triboy16f]

The refs absolutely hate Sullinger with a passion! I know rookies don't get respect from refs, but this is on an entirely different level. 70% of the foul calls on him are a joke.

The refs probably can't believe a player this young could be this strong. So anytime he is manhandling guys like West to get position, they assume it must be a foul.

Sully definitely does make some rookie fouling mistakes here and there. But tonight about 2 of them were a joke. They prob had enough of Sully and his physical play and kicked him out of the game before he hurt somebody.

He totally beat up West tonight. After the game he must of been like, who the heck is this kid.

[lightspeed5]

sully has a good future with us once the refs know his name.

[chambers]

I was going to make a topic about this after tonight's game...I probably still will.
Basically titled 'Celtics have one of their biggest ever draft steals with Sullinger'.

I'd say they'll keep bringing him in off the bench for now, he's a beast and is a key to our second unit. He holds down the paint while Terry and Green score, if they miss, Sully is there to get a second look or dish it back out.

His defense is just awesome. He holds his feet and uses his size and strength to outmuscle EVERYONE. He was throwing David West around, he was manhandling Reggie Evans when we stomped the Nets.
How good has he gotten in one third of a season!?
I could see him averaging 15/10 easily as a starter on this team.

I actually think the refs are starting realize how smart and talented he is and are actually letting a lot of calls go that they were calling on him in the beginning of the season.
At least vs the Pacers they were fair- they called some and they let plenty of them go and just let him be physical.

Danny Ainge committed highway robbery with this kid at number 20.
Thumbs up Mr Ainge.

[lightspeed5]

I was going to make a topic about this after tonight's game...I probably still will.
Basically titled 'Celtics have one of their biggest ever draft steals with Sullinger'.

I'd say they'll keep bringing him in off the bench for now, he's a beast and is a key to our second unit. He holds down the paint while Terry and Green score, if they miss, Sully is there to get a second look or dish it back out.

His defense is just awesome. He holds his feet and uses his size and strength to outmuscle EVERYONE. He was throwing David West around, he was manhandling Reggie Evans when we stomped the Nets.
How good has he gotten in one third of a season!?
I could see him averaging 15/10 easily as a starter on this team.

I actually think the refs are starting realize how smart and talented he is and are actually letting a lot of calls go that they were calling on him in the beginning of the season.
At least vs the Pacers they were fair- they called some and they let plenty of them go and just let him be physical.

Danny Ainge committed highway robbery with this kid at number 20.
Thumbs up Mr Ainge.

I called it one of our biggest draft steals right when danny ainge got him.

draft positions by danny:
21: rondo
19: avery
21: sullinger



Danny Ainge: The draft bandit around slot 20.

[LooseCannon]

I suspect Bass will remain the starter for the remainder of the season.

I think that if Sullinger eventually gets the starting job while Bass is on the team, the trajectory should be him coming off the bench and increasingly being in there at the end of games.  Once he becomes a fixture in the crunch time lineup for some time, then he might eventually slide into the starting role.  I'm ok with the idea that that time might not be until 2014.

[Ogaju]

This is why you dont trade him.

DA should make Rondo AB Sully and Melo untouchable in trade scenarios. They are the foundation to the future of the Celtics.

Allow these kids to develop under the tutelage of KG and PP for the next two to three years. Make a big spalsh in Free agency when KG and PP retire or if they want to go chase a ring elsewhere, but please dont trade the core of RR AB Sully and Melo.

[Galeto]

I think this game against Indy may have been his best game overall.  He really made a positive impact on both ends of the court.  I doubt he starts anytime soon but if Bass insists on throwing the ball away a lot, maybe it'll be sooner than later if Sullinger can keep progressing.  Either way, this is the Sullinger I had hoped to see.

[mgent]

Kevin Garnett might be a top-five defender if we consider every NBA big over the past 25 years -- that's how special he is. He's still almost at the top of his game on that end and probably the best help defender in basketball (though Joakim Noah is closing fast). Sullinger, though, is proving to be almost as good on defense for the Celtics as KG, a fact that gets lost because so many of their teammates are not on their level.

Haha I knew this guy was an idiot.  Three ridiculous things to say in a row.  KG is arguably a top 3 defensive big over the past 60 years.  And give me Tyson Chandler, Serge Ibaka, or Dwight Howard as a help defender over Joakim Noah any day. 

The best:  Sullinger is almost good on defense as KG.  Do I need to say anything?  He's not even an average help defender.... and you're going to compare him to one of the best all time?  He's proven to be a decent man to man defender, but never makes rotations on time or provides any sense of help.  I mean, he's not as bad as Bass but that doesn't change the fact that he's easily near the bottom of the league.