Today, fans can catch the opening tip-off between the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors. Unfortunately, the return of Jared Sullinger will be postponed until Nov 1st against the Milwaukee Bucks (Sullinger is suspended for one game).
With a number of notable trades and fresh talents, this Celtics will look different compared to the previous years.
There will not be a sight of Kevin Garnett screaming on the jumbotron, Paul Pierce will not be swishing three pointers from the top of the key, and Doc Rivers will not be losing his voice on the sideline.
There were many changes this summer in Boston, and C’s are starting a new era. The outlook of the season is unknown at this time, but be prepared to see some new faces that will make a mark in the NBA this season. One of those players will be Jared Sullinger.
Sullinger, who is in his second year out of THE Ohio State University has looked great this preseason after a season ending back injury.
Sully is not in shape by his standards; but on the court he hasn’t missed a beat, which says a lot for someone that was out of basketball close to eight months. Sullinger may have a role as a full time starter, but if not he will definitely play around 30 minutes per game.
I see Sullinger’s second season going similar to Kevin Love’s. Love averaged 14.0 ppg and 11.0 rebounds per game while only starting 22 games. Sullinger may have the same impact, and I can see the numbers being a lot similar. Being the best rebounder on any team will force the coaches’ hand to get you on the floor.
Sullinger had a solid rookie year, and came on as of late – before the injury bug. Sully played key minutes with some of the best to ever do it in Boston – Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo last season. As a rookie in Doc Rivers’ rotation, Sullinger’s play speaks volumes because Doc has a history of benching rookies until they prove otherwise.
As I mentioned in Part 1 of the return(http://thefrontofficenews.com/2013/06/27/the-return-of-the-boston-celtics-jared-sullinger-part-i/) the numbers don’t wow you (6.0 ppg and 6.0 rebs), but the overall impact played a huge role last season. Sully, has always been a team first player, and will do whatever his team needs to win.
Newly acquired Head Coach Brad Stevens, a former graduate assistant under Sullinger’s college coach Thad Matta (At Butler) already knows that he has a beast in No. 7.
This pre-season Sullinger has shown his pick and pop abilities as well as the ability to rebound and finish in the paint. This season Sullinger can make his mark as one of the best up and coming big men in the Eastern Conference.
In this era of basketball, big men tend to shy away from the paint and frown upon contact. In Sully’s case he is a throwback style of player that also has the ability hit the jump shot from 18 feet and beyond.
The C’s will have a different look, but the passion and heart will be the same. Boston fans can look forward to getting the maximum effort out of their team night in and night out.
With Rajon Rondo out due to recovering from his knee injury, there will be a lot on the shoulders of Jared Sullinger.
To some this would be a tough task, but for Sullinger it is only business as usual.
Stay tuned for more. The Sully Saga is to be continued…
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