Jared Sullinger, of course, I think, will be Boston’s top rookie
Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston asked me to share my thoughts for his Celtics Summer Forecast on which Boston Celtics rookie would make the greatest impact this season. The answer, methinks, is pretty obvious. (ESPN Boston)
Fab Melo’s more raw than a 13-year old’s knee after a biking accident. Kris Joseph is a second-round pick playing behind Paul Pierce and Jeff Green (assuming the latter finalizes his imminent deal). Jared Sullinger is the second two-time First Team AP All-American the Celtics have ever drafted, putting him in the halfway decent company of Larry Bird.
If I had any money whatsoever in my bank account, I would bet it all on Sullinger becoming Boston’s most productive rookie.
The 6-foot-9 power forward possesses a calm intelligence with the basketball, hands like baseball mitts and a jump shot which didn’t look great during the summer but allowed him to shoot 40 percent last season at Ohio State while attempting more than one 3-pointer per game. Sullinger should become a rare rookie to crack Doc Rivers’ rotation, partly because he’s Boston’s only backup power forward, but also because he’s polished and heady.
The rookie doesn’t arrive in Boston without flaws, though. He wears an extra layer of human flesh; couldn’t jump out of a toddler’s sandbox; and struggled to score against length during summer league, shooting just 30.2 percent during five games in Las Vegas. The bad news is that his athletic limitations are real. The good news is that he’s smart enough to make adjustments and has already hired a personal chef to improve his conditioning.
Melo could be forced into frontcourt minutes if the Celtics suffer through another injury-plagued season and Joseph impressed during summer league. But, barring injury or unforeseen circumstances, Sullinger should be Boston’s most helpful rookie.
For everyone else’s answers, click here.
Related posts:
- Jared Sullinger has forgotten more about rebounding than Mark Blount ever knew
- Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo, two entirely different species who could one day form a nice tandem
- Boston Celtics summer league observations, Day 3: Jared Sullinger impresses with back-to-basket game
- Jared Sullinger draws praise from Danny Ainge
- Jared Sullinger drawing Boston Celtics’ interest
Celtics Blog | Jay King | August 10, 2012
wtf? we wanna hear about how celtics can fuck lakers in the ASS next FINALS. glad we got collins so he can flat out MURDER howard every single time he touches the ball down low like RASHEED and Co. did in 2010. BEANTOWN!!!!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It’s great that Sully has hired a personal chef, but what I want to know about is the Cs bringing on a true center like Cowens to work with him. This kid loves the post. Let’s bring in someone to work with him who has that same attitude.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I see Dwight has taken his toys to Hollywood. Something I read online…funny. LET’S GO NEW CELTICS OF OLD. SMASH HEAT/ LAKERS.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
We’ll smash everybody. Howard is mentally weak. We proved that in 2010. He can’t hit FT’s to save his life. While Lakers, Heat, Clippers and Nets get all the ‘offseason hype’, we will creep out of the dark and show everyone off. BEANTOWN!
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Lakers look much better on paper, but Nash is a pylon on D and getting creaky. D12 is coming off back surgey (never a good thing-esp for a big guy reliant on athleticism) and kobe +gasol are playing in olympics which may come back to haunt them physically down the road this season. Heat will be tough again but won’t have same hunger and wade’s knee is a huge ? Ray allen will be a bust with them mark my words. Celtics will have a better year with all the new guys and will ride Rondo’s BEST year so far to Banner #18. You heard it here first. Go C’s!!!
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I’ll be certainly rooting for him. I like to cheer for the underdogs, especially one that has a huge chip on his shoulder as Sullinger has.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[...] All-American, which makes him the second player drafted by the Celtics to achieve this distinction, according to Jay King of CelticsTown. The other player? Celtics legend Larry Bird. That’s not bad company for Sullinger to be [...]
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[...] All-American, which makes him the second player drafted by the Celtics to achieve this distinction, according to Jay King of CelticsTown. The other player? Celtics legend Larry Bird. That’s not bad company for Sullinger to be [...]
Like or Dislike:
0 
0