A Closer Look at Jared Sullinger

[CzBoobie]

Given the way things look now the worst the Cavs will draft is #3, correct?

4th...first three picks are chosen by the lottery and then it goes by the record, so the worst record guarantees you the 4th pick, second worst record 5th etc...

 

[Damage]

Sullinger, while not the ideal pick, would be a fine addition. I think he really comps to Love, only with a better low post game (Love having a better outside game). If he keeps his weight in check, desire and motivation are not going to be issues with him. You're gonna have a gym rat on the floor at all times.
He has good positioning on his rebounds, so the height may not be the biggest concern on the defensive end, especially if we have athletes coming from the weak side to help out with a steal and/or block.

 

[DougHeil]

Sullinger at best is Paul Millsap or Al Jefferson, an undersized center that likes to play around the basket. At worst he is Brandon Bass. While I think he will be a good player in this league he isn't someone you would draft and build around.

I don't believe you watched video of him in high school then. Sullinger is only playing strictly around the basket now because that's the best way for OSU to win games right now. Playing the C position means he's playing out of position. The guy can handle the ball and he can also shoot the ball...... from three range as well. Don't look at him as a center.

 

[MYoung23]

There is a real difference between players you build "around" and players you build "with." There are not very many players you build around in the NBA and despite their pedigrees coming into the league they ultimately have to show that on the court. Franchises have often made mistakes anointing someone who scores 20ppg a game a "franchise player' then making moves to build around said player only to find out that they cannot lead a team. I'd put Sullinger in the "build with" category right now.

In regard to Sullinger as a player he will have to be a PF in the NBA and if you look at all the successful scoring PFs they all have a good mid-range shot or better as part as some sort of face up game. Sullinger will have to continue to improve his body and show that perimeter game since he will not always be able to get that deep post position and overpower defenders who are his size in the NBA. Also, improving his body will allow him to maximize his lift around the basket and have the mobility to defend the pick-n-roll and the perimeter games of all the other PFs he will face in the league.

Other than that when you look at his skill level in terms of footwork, using his body to create space, hands, rebounding, etc along with his basketball IQ and intangibles it is hard to think he wont be successful in the NBA in some capacity.

 

[Jon]

JJ averaged 1 apg at NC State, Sullinger is at 1.4, Love was at 1.9, Webber was at 2.2 then 2.5, Duncan progressed from 0.9 to 2.1 to 2.9 to 3.2, Shaq went from 1.9 to 1.6 to 1.5 (why pass when nobody could stop him?), Greg Monroe was 2.5 then 3.9, Glen Davis went from 1.0 to 1.4 to 2.3.

1.4 apg indicates he's aware he has teammates on the floor, but there's nothing to indicate he's in Love's class or that he might be the next great passing big man.

 

[Renodeluxe]

JJ averaged 1 apg at NC State, Sullinger is at 1.4, Love was at 1.9, Webber was at 2.2 then 2.5, Duncan progressed from 0.9 to 2.1 to 2.9 to 3.2, Shaq went from 1.9 to 1.6 to 1.5 (why pass when nobody could stop him?), Greg Monroe was 2.5 then 3.9, Glen Davis went from 1.0 to 1.4 to 2.3.

1.4 apg indicates he's aware he has teammates on the floor, but there's nothing to indicate he's in Love's class or that he might be the next great passing big man.

One NBA front-office executive, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he expects Sullinger to enter the draft.

"He can play center (in the NBA)," he said. "He can play with his back to the basket. He has great hands — big hands — and can pass out of the post."

 

[Ren]

There is a real difference between players you build "around" and players you build "with." There are not very many players you build around in the NBA and despite their pedigrees coming into the league they ultimately have to show that on the court. Franchises have often made mistakes anointing someone who scores 20ppg a game a "franchise player' then making moves to build around said player only to find out that they cannot lead a team. I'd put Sullinger in the "build with" category right now.

In regard to Sullinger as a player he will have to be a PF in the NBA and if you look at all the successful scoring PFs they all have a good mid-range shot or better as part as some sort of face up game. Sullinger will have to continue to improve his body and show that perimeter game since he will not always be able to get that deep post position and overpower defenders who are his size in the NBA. Also, improving his body will allow him to maximize his lift around the basket and have the mobility to defend the pick-n-roll and the perimeter games of all the other PFs he will face in the league.

Other than that when you look at his skill level in terms of footwork, using his body to create space, hands, rebounding, etc along with his basketball IQ and intangibles it is hard to think he wont be successful in the NBA in some capacity.

Exactly my point. I have no doubt he will be a solid NBA player, and if he is the best available (Kyrie is gone) then I think it's a good idea to take him. He can be a guy who gets 15-20ppg at the PF position if he has the right teammates around him. JJ wishes he is the rebounder that Sullinger is.

 

[Lumthemad]

There's a big reason why guys go at pick 19 (like JJ) and high in the lottery like Sullinger likely will and a big part of it deals with consistency. Certain aspects of Sullingers game already show a greater consistency than JJ might even hope to attain. That is why when trying to find a guy, you are willing as the draft unfolds to take someone like JJ who has clear cut talent but perhaps not the correct focus all the time.

This is also the very same reason why we cannot be teased by talent/potential. If the players aren't showing it to us RIGHT NOW, the Cavs just cannot take that risk.

 

[MYoung23]

JJ averaged 1 apg at NC State, Sullinger is at 1.4, Love was at 1.9, Webber was at 2.2 then 2.5, Duncan progressed from 0.9 to 2.1 to 2.9 to 3.2, Shaq went from 1.9 to 1.6 to 1.5 (why pass when nobody could stop him?), Greg Monroe was 2.5 then 3.9, Glen Davis went from 1.0 to 1.4 to 2.3.

1.4 apg indicates he's aware he has teammates on the floor, but there's nothing to indicate he's in Love's class or that he might be the next great passing big man.

Written like someone who hasn't seen him play.

 

[Jon]

"He can play center (in the NBA)," he said. "He can play with his back to the basket. He has great hands — big hands — and can pass out of the post."

I'm sure he can, but the question we have to ponder is whether he can become an "all star" type player in the league. It may be unrealistic to expect these guys to be franchise players, as franchise players aren't always available in the draft, but we need to do more than just find guys who can play - albeit given our track record (Diop, Wagner, Jackson, etc) - that wouldn't be all bad

 

[Nom]

To me Sullinger begs the question - do you want to find the next superstar and build around him or do you want to build a team and try to add that superstar?

He doesn't seem to have the potential to be a great player - just a very very good one.

To me, if you have a top 5 pick and are as bad and devoid of talent as we are - you take shots at guys with high potential. Who knows how many chances you'll have to get top 5 picks - you need to really nail them. Even if you swing and miss - you'll probably have a chance again the next year. If you keep drafting guys with low ceilings but are more of a sure thing - you'll end up as a mid-tier team unable to add the big-time piece.

 

[Jon]

Written like someone who hasn't seen him play.

Of course I haven't. Why would I waste my time watching college basketball (at least before March)? That's what you guys are for. And Youtube mixtapes are a waste as the Sarunas videos should have taught us all long ago.

But last I checked, if a player is any good at passing out of the post, he'll rack up some assists. Certainly that was the case for Love, Webber, Duncan, Monroe, etc, etc, etc. If we're going to compare these prospects to other players let alone superstars of the league - let's compare them and not let them off the hook when they come up short. The game comes easy to great players, and it most definitely shows up in their stats.

The bars a little higher now than 3 years ago when we had the 19th pick. We're not just looking for the next "JaVale McGee" here ... (no shot in the dark prospects with unbounded upside allowed).

 

[Renodeluxe]

I'm sure he can, but the question we have to ponder is whether he can become an "all star" type player in the league. It may be unrealistic to expect these guys to be franchise players, as franchise players aren't always available in the draft, but we need to do more than just find guys who can play - albeit given our track record (Diop, Wagner, Jackson, etc) - that wouldn't be all bad

If who ever the Cavs draft lands somewhere in the top 8 at his position, I could live with that as a solid piece moving forward..

And who changed my avatar? Walleye hater !!! Lol to funny..

 

[Jon]

If who ever the Cavs draft lands somewhere in the top 8 at his position, I could live with that as a solid piece moving forward..

I'll be happy if he isn't washed out and traded his second season, but I do hope for more.

 

[The Common Man]

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