There are positives: Jared Sullinger has soft hands, a great feel for the game and an ability to power his way through taller defenders to find a way to score. He’s strong, smart, a throwback and mostly a winner.
But there are question marks, too: Sullinger isn’t athletic enough, lacks explosiveness, is glued to the low post and is too small (6-foot-9) to play his style in the NBA.
So what’s the truth about the big man from Ohio State?
“Well, it’s likely somewhere in between,” one NBA GM said. “I think he’s probably a little better in some areas than people give him credit for, and maybe not as good in some other areas. His physical skills are average, but he knows how to play in the low post in spite of it. So, make of that what you will.”
I really like Sullinger in that mid lottery range. And the reason I do is because I feel like I know exactly what I'm going to get out of him. Sure his ceiling isn't great because he's forever going to be limited by being less than a great athlete, and a tiny bit undersized.
But he's also got some other assets that you're not going to have to gamble on. He's gonna catch it almost always. He's gonna go to war on the glass. He's gonna be reliable around the rim. And if he's got an advantage on the block, you're gonna be able to count on him to take advantage of it. And when he's double teamed he's a good passer.
He developed his jumper a bit this year, and I've seen really high end comps on him of Kevin Love. "If he can stretch his range to the three point line ... ". To me that seems really optimistic, but I get where it's coming from. Then there's some Tyler Hansborough comps because of his effort and ability to hit the mid range, but Sullinger is a much more refined post threat than Hansborough is even now.
If anyone remembers how good Chris Gatling was at his peak, that to me is sort of where Sullinger sits in my mind. He'd be a great bench big to run your offense through when you're normal go to's are resting because he'll create DTs against sub players.
I think there's a big philosophical question on how you view prospects based on wheather you take Sullinger or Perry Jones at say 7 in this draft if they're both available.
I think Sullinger is a smart player and I heard he has a good attitude/work ethic, so even with his limitations I could see him carving out a decent career for himself. No All star, but a solid player.
He'd be a great bench big to run your offense through when you're normal go to's are resting because he'll create DTs against sub players.
This. I'd love for OKC to somehow get him. I know it won't happen, but he'd be perfect for this team because he'd give them something they need, and that's a big off the bench that can score the basketball. I don't know if he can ever be a full-time starter who averages 15-17 a night on 50%, but I do think he'd be perfect in the 6th or 7th man low-post scoring spark role.
I seen a scout on him that said he was 6'10 lmao. He like 6'7, but he will be a solid player. This years version of Big Baby type player without the foolishness
I really like Sullinger in that mid lottery range. And the reason I do is because I feel like I know exactly what I'm going to get out of him. Sure his ceiling isn't great because he's forever going to be limited by being less than a great athlete, and a tiny bit undersized.
But he's also got some other assets that you're not going to have to gamble on. He's gonna catch it almost always. He's gonna go to war on the glass. He's gonna be reliable around the rim. And if he's got an advantage on the block, you're gonna be able to count on him to take advantage of it. And when he's double teamed he's a good passer.
He developed his jumper a bit this year, and I've seen really high end comps on him of Kevin Love. "If he can stretch his range to the three point line ... ". To me that seems really optimistic, but I get where it's coming from. Then there's some Tyler Hansborough comps because of his effort and ability to hit the mid range, but Sullinger is a much more refined post threat than Hansborough is even now.
If anyone remembers how good Chris Gatling was at his peak, that to me is sort of where Sullinger sits in my mind. He'd be a great bench big to run your offense through when you're normal go to's are resting because he'll create DTs against sub players.
I think there's a big philosophical question on how you view prospects based on wheather you take Sullinger or Perry Jones at say 7 in this draft if they're both available.
If he falls to 15 I'd take him. So far I have Sullinger then Austin Rivers as 2 prospects I'd like the Sixers to take given better prospects havent dropped to 15 of course. Rivers because Lou Williams plans to opt out his contract. Given he had a pretty good 6th man candidate run and Thad Young got a $40mil 5yr deal? I can see Lou trying to get a better deal than what he initially signed for (5yrs $25mil). Rivers could replace Lou at a cheaper cost.
Not sure what to make of Sully. Chris Gatling name drop is an interesting one.
I really don't think Sullinger should lose (more) weight. When he really thinned out at the beginning of the year, he looked frail and weak to me. He will always be a "below the rim" guy and his game is predicated on using his lower body strength and weight to get position and post up. Having that extra weight might slow him and cost stamina but I'd rather have 25 minutes of prototypical old-school low post basketball from Sullinger than more minutes of ineffectiveness.
NBA potential of Jared Sullinger
