Jared Sullinger's safe playmaking a boon for Boston Celtics

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2015/02/jared_sullinger_play-making_bo.html


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Jared Sullinger's safe playmaking a boon for Boston Celtics




Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger smiles while talking to referee Ken Mauer during the second half of NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Celtics won 108-97. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Print Jay King | mjking@masslive.com By Jay King | mjking@masslive.com

on February 07, 2015 at 7:00 AM, updated February 07, 2015 at 7:39 AM





BOSTON -- After one Boston Celtics practice earlier this season, Jared Sullinger shook his head, casually dismissing one of his strengths.

"I don't care about turnovers," he said.

As he thought about the statement, he realized it wasn't right. He does not like throwing the ball to the wrong team or fumbling possession out of bounds. Nobody does.

"I do care about turnovers," the big man revised. "But if I throw one, I throw one. Turnovers are not really something I think about."

Maybe not, but during his third season, Sullinger's safe playmaking has become a precious pillar for the Boston Celtics offense. His low turnover totals are even more impressive because the Celtics use him so often to handle the ball. He initiates dribble hand-offs, finds backdoor cutters and executes an occasional spin move to the hoop. He cuts to the middle, stops to receive a pass and whips the ball to the opposite corner. He works in the post, draws double-teams, and finds open teammates.

Sullinger has found open teammates a lot lately. Over the last three games, he has established a career high in assists twice, racking up 17 assists compared to just two turnovers. His inside-outside game has helped small lineups prosper. The brilliant playmaking stretch has only highlighted what might currently count as Sullinger's greatest offensive strength: the ability to facilitate offense while keeping possession for his team.

Before we continue, know these assists are not all simple. Sullinger's creativity, vision and feel allow him to try passes a lot of big men wouldn't consider.

Example 1: a one-handed, full-court bounce pass that hit teammate Evan Turner in stride for a dunk.


If Sullinger had not delivered the pass with one swooping right hand, angling the ball by the defender, he might have been picked off. Instead, he avoided the danger, skipped the pass out in front and promised his team an easy two points.

Later, Sullinger and Turner connected for another beauty:


Taking advantage of Philadelphia's help defense, Sullinger cut behind Turner. When another 76er sank in to stop Sullinger on the catch, the big man instinctively knew Brandon Bass' whereabouts. Without even looking at Bass, Sullinger threw a dart across his body, straight into Bass' shooting pocket. Sullinger almost looked like a shortstop fielding a grounder deep into the hole. Bass drilled the 3-pointer, his third of the season.

The next possession did not contain nearly the level of difficulty as the previous two. It was not a true highlight pass. But the circumstances of the set -- after a timeout, in the fourth quarter, with the Celtics clinging to a three-point lead -- showed how much confidence the coaching staff holds in Sullinger's playmaking.



Sullinger came off a cross screen, received a pass, and instantly became Boston's quarterback. The play called for Marcus Thornton to come off a flare screen and Sullinger to direct a possibly dangerous pass over the top of the defense. The ball hit Thornton in rhythm. He drilled a 3-pointer that sparked a game-sealing run.

In some ways, Sullinger's third season feels disappointing. He appeared on the verge of breaking out. Instead, he failed to lose weight like he promised he would over the summer. His shooting remains as up-and-down as a stormy sea; both inside and out, he misses more frequently than the Celtics would like. He still finds trouble trying to create separation in the paint, which can lead to rushed, off-balance attempts. He sometimes launches ill-advised jumpers. His free throw attempts have actually declined. So has his rebounding rate, particularly on the offensive glass. He has lacked punctuality at times, bringing his maturity into question. He still occasionally looks awful in closeout situations, especially against stretch big men. We still don't really know if lineups with him and fellow youngster Kelly Olynyk can get enough stops.

But as a playmaker, Sullinger has quite obviously grown. He has added more off-the-dribble creativity, boosted his assists by 40 percent (per 100 possessions) and still cut down on turnovers. For the season, only Kemba Walker and Carmelo Anthony have a higher assist rate and lower turnover rate. Only three other big men - Pau Gasol, Tim Duncan and DeMarcus Cousins - have scored, rebounded and passed like Sullinger has. All three turn the ball over more often than he does. Historically, even, Sullinger's combination of rugged glasswork and safe facilitating draws few comparisons. As far back as Basketball-Reference.com tracks, the list includes big names Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan and LaMarcus Aldridge. And that's it. Reminder: Sullinger does not turn 23 for another month.

"I always had the ability (to find teammates)," he said Friday night after notching 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in a 107-96 victory against Philadelphia. "My dad (Satch Sullinger) forced me to play point guard at times in high school, so it's kind of almost natural."

The Celtics designed their offense to take advantage of their young, skilled bigs -- Sullinger, Olynyk and to an extent Tyler Zeller -- and have put the ball in Sullinger's hands as much as anybody else's. It's fair to wish he had improved a bit more over the offseason, but he stands a few pounds and a steady shot away from becoming a great offensive threat.




bob



.

Whether or not it's deserved, Sully has become somewhat of a magnet for both praise and criticism this season. The praise mostly involves his low post offense, and the criticisms mostly involve his shot selection. It's almost as though his play is a microcosm of the Celtics' season, with some good and some not-so-good characterizing gradual development.

Sam

Sam,

Could be because Sullenger may be the Celtics best overall NBA player right now. He can score (especially if he stays inside), can rebound, can pass, plays eh maybe OK defense, etc

He is going to have to get used to the scrutiny of being such player.

Lots of room to grow, but may still be the best player on the team.

wide clyde wrote:Sam,

Could be because Sullenger may be the Celtics best overall NBA player right now.  He can score (especially if he stays inside), can rebound, can pass, plays eh maybe OK defense, etc

He is going to have to get used to the scrutiny of being such player.

Lots of room to grow, but may still be the best player on the team.

Clyde,

He might have the most natural NBA game of all the young players on the team. He is pretty much built for his role.


bob

bob,

My thoughts exactly especially if "his role" gets more clearly defined to where he is planted much closer to the basket much more of the time. And this is why I really hope that Ainge does not even think of trading him.  He should be an all-star in the years to come and will be needed as a very important part of the re-build.

Even in today's more spread out offenses there is always a place for a guy who can score 20 per game in and around the paint.  He would have scored 20 again last night if he had gotten inside more often to get a couple of more shots and couple of more free throws.

In fact, as the rest of the league seems to spread out more and more Sullenger may not be coverable near the hoop by many "spread fours" in the next few years.  No one has covered him lately, that is for sure, and there really are not too many actual centers in the league either.  If the Cs can find a first string center, other teams will have to cover Sullenger with forwards.