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Boston Celtics: Jared Sullinger Looks Ready To Make The Jump

By Andrew Anderson

Oct 10, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) passes past Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) in the fourth quarter at Air Canada Centre. Raptors won 116-109. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) passes past Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) in the fourth quarter at Air Canada Centre. Raptors won 116-109. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /
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After an injury plagued, disjointed start to his NBA career, Boston Celtics’ big man Jared Sullinger is showing signs in preseason that he may be ready to make the jump and become one of the league’s most productive forwards.

With a rookie season cut short by back surgery, Sullinger’s sophomore campaign was spent working himself back into shape and he struggled with his consistency, especially his shooting as he looked to expand his range.

Now, entering his third season, Sullinger is looking primed to become a focal point of the Celtics’ offense and proving that his development throughout his first two years is starting to pay off.

Mar 17, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) reacts after scoring during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) reacts after scoring during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Throughout the Celtics’ seven preseason games, Sullinger has put up 14.8 points, 10 rebounds and 2.8 assists on .500 shooting while playing just 26 minutes per game. While Sullinger has always been a productive source of points and rebounds when given playing time, it is his preseason efficiency and proficiency from deep that has the coaching staff and fans excited.

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Last season, Sullinger looked to expand his shooting range out to the NBA 3-point line with mixed results. After taking just five attempts total in his rookie year, Sullinger’s attempts skyrocketed to 2.8 per game but he converted on just .269 percent of his 3- pointers for the season.

The coaching staff continued to encourage his outside shooting despite the low percentage and it appears to be paying off with a more confident, successful outside shooting stroke so far in preseason. Sullinger is attempting 3.7 3-pointers per game and has converted on an exceptional .538 percent, knocking down two per game.

Prior to being drafted in 2012, Jared Sullinger had proven himself as a dominant player in the NCAA and showed the personality to be a go-to player on the offensive end. He was named an NCAA First Team All-American in both of his years at Ohio State, averaging more than 17 points per game at .530 shooting efficiency.

Sullinger looks to be once again asserting himself as a leader on the court and his play could well demand additional touches in a new-and-improved Celtics’ offense.

CSNNE’s A. Sherrod Blakely caught up with Sullinger who explained his focus on proving the doubters of his game wrong.

"“It’s always been about winning; doing whatever I can to make that happen,” Sullinger said.And for as long as he’s in the NBA, Sullinger will certainly use his draft night slide to No. 21 (he was a projected top-14 pick), as added incentive to play well.“I will always play with a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “Everybody says I’m not this, I’m not that. I been hearing it ever since middle school. It’s cool. I just go out and play my game, and let my game do the talking for me.”"

Mar 5, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) shoots the ball against Golden State Warriors power forward Marreese Speights (5) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) shoots the ball against Golden State Warriors power forward Marreese Speights (5) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

While it would be impossible for Sullinger to continue his hot shooting from deep throughout the season, a rise in efficiency from 3-point range would add a dangerous weapon to a player who is already a force on the low block.

Sullinger’s size and strength, as well as his incredibly soft hands make him an exceptional rebounder and finisher around the rim despite having little in the way of a vertical leap.

He appears to be improving his positional play on the defensive end and will be coming into the 2014-15 season as the most well-rounded Jared Sullinger we have seen to date.

The Celtics look refreshed and more focused already than they did last season and Jared Sullinger looks to be a major factor in whether or not they will make a significant improvement on the meager 25 wins they managed last season.

He has already proven that he can put up big numbers when given the opportunity, but with increased confidence in his long-range shot, more stamina and unwavering confidence, Sullinger could well emerge as one of the breakout stars of the 2014-15 season and lead the way for the Celtics in points as well as rebounds.

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