Why isn't Sullinger playing in Summer League?

[Endless Paradise]

I don't think 3rd year players are allowed..? Think it's just for rookies and 2nd year players...at least it used to be.

I thought I seen some guys who've been around longer than a couple years but maybe you're right

Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones are both third-year players who are currently playing for OKC's Summer League.  Reggie Jackson did the same thing last year.

Yeah and that says a lot about their development. Even Isiah Thomas questioned OKC's decision to that on the broadcast.

Well, Jackson went on to have his best season ever last year, so I'm not sure exactly what it's supposed to say about their development.  I'm just noting that third-year players can and have played in Summer League.

[wdleehi]

I am fine with him not playing extra games with his back issue at this point.  I know it was "fixed", but still no reason to put more wear and tear on it.

[D.o.s.]

Third year players do play in the Summer League, but starters typically don't -- even when they're starting on 25 win teams.

[pearljammer10]

Third year players do play in the Summer League, but starters typically don't -- even when they're starting on 25 win teams.

Yeah but Sully wasn't even a starter. (Started half the games roughly). He was off the bench behind Bass and Hump most of the year.

There's no reason Sully shouldn't be in summer league.

[Celtics4ever]

I am fine with him not playing extra games with his back issue at this point.  I know it was "fixed", but still no reason to put more wear and tear on it.

Like maybe gaining 20 lbs?

[wdleehi]

I am fine with him not playing extra games with his back issue at this point.  I know it was "fixed", but still no reason to put more wear and tear on it.

Like maybe gaining 20 lbs?

Another issue that needs to be worked on.

[DesertDweller]

Sully probably never had to worry about his weight until getting to the NBA and his back surgery likely made it difficult to do anything about it for his first two years in the league.  He needs to show effort and discipline with it this year but I'm not worried if he's blown up like a balloon right now.  At his age, shedding pounds is nothing.  It's when you start to creep up into your 30s that gaining and losing weight becomes a losing battle.

Mike

"WHEN YOU CREEP UP INTO YOUR 30'S"  That's really hard on the ears when you're about to turn 70

[SHAQATTACK]

Embarrassed or would be so.....if he is out of shape as reported.

[the_Bird]

DNP:  cake

Welp...

DNP - Michael Sweetney

I remember Oliver Miller in summer league maybe ten years ago.  Dude had soft, soft hands, good passes, good outlet passes, nice touch around the rim, but he couldn't play more than 5 minutes at a time.

I remember Moresweetsforme playing for the C's summer league a few years back - am I remembering Tractor Traylor, too?  Seems like lots of big, big men who've gotten their chances with the C's.  Sully just better not come into camp fat - seen that story way too many times.

[D.o.s.]

Sully probably never had to worry about his weight until getting to the NBA and his back surgery likely made it difficult to do anything about it for his first two years in the league.  He needs to show effort and discipline with it this year but I'm not worried if he's blown up like a balloon right now.  At his age, shedding pounds is nothing.  It's when you start to creep up into your 30s that gaining and losing weight becomes a losing battle.

Mike

I sort of agree. He's always going to be a big dude, but there's definitely a line between "big and healthy" and "big and fat." Charles Barkley's various seasons are a great example of the difference.

[the_Bird]

Sully probably never had to worry about his weight until getting to the NBA and his back surgery likely made it difficult to do anything about it for his first two years in the league.  He needs to show effort and discipline with it this year but I'm not worried if he's blown up like a balloon right now.  At his age, shedding pounds is nothing.  It's when you start to creep up into your 30s that gaining and losing weight becomes a losing battle.

Mike

I sort of agree. He's always going to be a big dude, but there's definitely a line between "big and healthy" and "big and fat." Charles Barkley's various seasons are a great example of the difference.

If he can't be committed to coming into camp this year in the best shape possible...  forget it.  Just look at how quickly guys like Sweetney and Eddy Curry at themselves out of the league (or at least stopped being effective).   

[D.o.s.]

Sully probably never had to worry about his weight until getting to the NBA and his back surgery likely made it difficult to do anything about it for his first two years in the league.  He needs to show effort and discipline with it this year but I'm not worried if he's blown up like a balloon right now.  At his age, shedding pounds is nothing.  It's when you start to creep up into your 30s that gaining and losing weight becomes a losing battle.

Mike

I sort of agree. He's always going to be a big dude, but there's definitely a line between "big and healthy" and "big and fat." Charles Barkley's various seasons are a great example of the difference.

If he can't be committed to coming into camp this year in the best shape possible...  forget it.  Just look at how quickly guys like Sweetney and Eddy Curry at themselves out of the league (or at least stopped being effective).

Best shape possible after an injury is a lot less "best shape" than he could do while he was healthy, though.

[the_Bird]

Sully probably never had to worry about his weight until getting to the NBA and his back surgery likely made it difficult to do anything about it for his first two years in the league.  He needs to show effort and discipline with it this year but I'm not worried if he's blown up like a balloon right now.  At his age, shedding pounds is nothing.  It's when you start to creep up into your 30s that gaining and losing weight becomes a losing battle.

Mike

I sort of agree. He's always going to be a big dude, but there's definitely a line between "big and healthy" and "big and fat." Charles Barkley's various seasons are a great example of the difference.

If he can't be committed to coming into camp this year in the best shape possible...  forget it.  Just look at how quickly guys like Sweetney and Eddy Curry at themselves out of the league (or at least stopped being effective).

Best shape possible after an injury is a lot less "best shape" than he could do while he was healthy, though.

What injury is going to be the excuse this time, though?  He gets a pass (begrudgingly) for last year; if he's really pushing 280 right today, though...  why? 

[kozlodoev]

What injury is going to be the excuse this time, though?  He gets a pass (begrudgingly) for last year; if he's really pushing 280 right today, though...  why?

Well, for what it's worth, he's been at 280+ for the better part of the last 5 years (save for predraft camp). I'm not particularly optimistic about him ever maintaining reasonable playing weight, therefore I'd like him dispensed with before the rest of the league has caught up to the fact that the remainder of his career will likely be a constant struggle to not be a meatball.

[moiso]

Sully probably never had to worry about his weight until getting to the NBA and his back surgery likely made it difficult to do anything about it for his first two years in the league.  He needs to show effort and discipline with it this year but I'm not worried if he's blown up like a balloon right now.  At his age, shedding pounds is nothing.  It's when you start to creep up into your 30s that gaining and losing weight becomes a losing battle.

Mike

I sort of agree. He's always going to be a big dude, but there's definitely a line between "big and healthy" and "big and fat." Charles Barkley's various seasons are a great example of the difference.

If he can't be committed to coming into camp this year in the best shape possible...  forget it.  Just look at how quickly guys like Sweetney and Eddy Curry at themselves out of the league (or at least stopped being effective).

Best shape possible after an injury is a lot less "best shape" than he could do while he was healthy, though.

That back surgery is becoming a very long term excuse.  He was fat in his last year of college too, before anyone was aware of the back issue.