Jared Sullinger is entering the most important year of his life
Jared Sullinger is far from a perfect basketball player, but his positive qualities and intriguing skill-set make him someone the Boston Celtics could conceivably keep around for the next 10 years.
He can really rebound, and plays with intelligence on the defensive end. But there are flaws to his game that coincide with a worrisome injury history that hovers above ongoing weight and conditioning criticism levied by Danny Ainge, Boston's general manager.
With only one more season to show he's worth a long-term contract, this is the most important year of Sullinger's life. Here's NESN's Zach Cox with more:
"Sullinger’s foot fracture ultimately healed in time for him to play in the final seven games of the regular season, and he played some of his best basketball in recent memory in the playoffs, shooting 55.3 percent from the floor in the Celtics’ four-game series loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers while averaging 12.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. It was a fleeting glimpse into how productive Sullinger can be when he’s healthy, fit and fully engaged. And if he wants his tenure in Boston to extend beyond this season, he’ll have to show Ainge & Co. a whole lot more of that."
Sullinger's name is often caught in trade rumors, and rightfully so. But his value on that market has never been lower than it is right now, and this year he needs to prove he can contribute as a starter for over 30 minutes a night.
He needs to play better defense (i.e. be quicker) and establish himself as a low-post presence. (Knocking down some outside shots wouldn't hurt.) If he can do those things, the 23-year-old will have a role in Boston for the foreseeable future.
(h/t: NESN)
Photo Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki/USA TODAY Sports
