"Red-Flagged" Sullinger Dominates OKC
Two-time collegiate All-American, Jared Sullinger, was a lock to be a top-five pick if he had remained in the 2011 Draft. Just days after the 2012 season, he was a sure lottery pick. But when reports surfaced over Sullinger's back issues, he was red-flagged by team medical personnel, dropping down most teams' big boards and falling completely off others.
But, in his pro debut, Sullinger scuffed the injury reports again, scoring a game-high 20 points for the Celtics in a win over Oklahoma City. The husky forward was 6-of-12 from the floor, stepping outside to show off his newly developed perimeter game hitting 1-of-3 three-point attempts and converting all seven of his free-throw attempts when banging inside.
Scouts' biggest fears over Sullinger's game is that his production would not translate against more-athletic bigs or true centers, but again, Sullinger dispelled that here. He went up against Perry Jones, one of the 2012 Draft's elite athletes. Head-to-head with 7-footer Cole Aldrich. And even giving Ryan Reid the business from inside and out.
With Kevin Garnett and Brandon Bass onboard for the Celtics and depth to be filled, there is no reason why a healthy Jared Sullinger should not be able to grab the minutes and produce off the bench.
By NBA-DRAFT.com Staff Writer - 7- 9 - 12
