A Closer Look at Jared Sullinger

[Splitz]

I have some concerns about his orangutan titties.

 

[JDeezy]

by the way...fuck all you bitches for piling on me about the Ryan Hollins comment...i hope you all drown in a shallow puddle of aids. i said he was a natural athlete with a lot of raw athletic ability - he's fast, agile, and is a great leaper....and i'm still right about that...unfortunately he doesn't have the mental ability to translate that into performance on the court....i'm outta here....all you petty fuckers won't let one comment die....fuck you all. it's obvious you assholes want me gone...so i will oblige...goodbye...thanks to the people who weren't assholes...i occaisionally had a good time on this board when dickheads weren't bringing up one Ryans Hollins comment i made months ago...

]

 

[NarlCavs]

I have some concerns about his orangutan titties.

It probably won't be an issue if the team that gets him orders the Bro or Mansierre from Kramer and Frank Costanza.

 

[bushwick_bill]

Satch Sullinger, the father of the Ohio State star Jared Sullinger, is a human fortune cookie. A retired high school and college coach in Ohio, the elder Sullinger speaks in coaching nuggets.

One of his favorite sayings sums up his son’s decision to return to Ohio State for his sophomore year, despite being projected as a top-five pick in the N.B.A. draft.

“Yesterday is history,” Satch likes to say. “Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why they call it the present.”

While the focus of the college basketball world shifts to Houston this week for the Final Four, Sullinger’s return next season makes Ohio State an early favorite to advance to New Orleans for the 2012 Final Four. The Buckeyes should be No. 1 in the preseason polls, as the coaching staff also expects the junior wing William Buford to return.

While the presence of eighth-seeded Butler and 11th-seeded Virginia Commonwealth in this year’s Final Four suggests that we should not put much stock in early-season projections, Sullinger’s move will have an indelible impact on next season.

Sullinger told reporters after the Buckeyes’ loss to Kentucky in the Round of 16 last week that he would return. That proclamation was greeted with skepticism. Star players have made similar remarks in the emotional moments after a big loss before financial realities took over.

That’s not the case with Sullinger. His father confirmed and expounded upon his son’s intentions in a phone interview Sunday.

“You can etch it in stone,” Satch Sullinger said. “Jared Sullinger will be back at the Ohio State University.”

In an interview in December, Satch Sullinger predicted this. He had used the specter of a possible N.B.A. lockout as a reason. But on Sunday he said that the potential lockout did not factor into the decision-making process. In fact, he said he had barely discussed the N.B.A. with his son.

Satch Sullinger said his son had two goals. The first was to win a national title, which Ohio State was favored to do this season, coming into the N.C.A.A. tournament as the No. 1 overall seed.

“That’s exactly why he’s coming back,” Satch said. “He’s coming back because his goal is to win a national championship. He’s won A.A.U. and high school championships, and he wants to win a national championship.”

Jared Sullinger also needs to become a more complete player. He played primarily at center this season, but Satch Sullinger said that his son, who was listed at 6-foot-9, was not going to be a center in the N.B.A. (And that 6-foot-9 is probably going to end up somewhere between 6-7 and 6-8 without an assist from the media guide.)

Satch Sullinger said that with David Lighty gone and the 6-10 center Amir Williams coming to campus that more minutes would open up for Sullinger at power forward, which will be his eventual position in the N.B.A. Sullinger showcased it infrequently, but he has a nice midrange game, and Coach Thad Matta was comfortable with him taking 3-pointers within the offense. (He made 3 of 12 attempts this year.)

Satch Sullinger also said his son has seen former Buckeyes like Kosta Koufos and Byron Mullens leave early, be picked in the first round, and languish anonymously on N.B.A. benches. He wants Jared to develop his game while in college.

“He has to learn the 4 position,” Satch Sullinger said. “He and I have talked a little bit, not about the N.B.A., just in general, that you can only get better by playing, not practicing. He’ll play at a high level at Ohio State and learn from one of the best in Thad Matta.”

Sullinger still needs to melt some baby fat off his 280-pound frame and refine his face-up perimeter game. But he also just wants to keep enjoying basketball, and he has essentially been part of the Ohio State program since junior high school because his brother J. J. played under Matta.

“The last part of the puzzle is that he’s having fun, man,” Satch Sullinger said. “He’s not running from anything.”

Matta said this season that Ohio State meant more to Sullinger than it did to any other player he had coached. In December Sullinger spoke with a giddiness about college basketball.

“This is fun,” he said. “Honestly, college basketball is the funnest basketball I played since I was a little kid playing in little Nike leagues.”

And now the 2011-12 basketball season has an answer to Stanford’s Andrew Luck, the star quarterback who turned down the possibility of being the No. 1 pick to play his final year at Stanford. Sullinger most likely will not last all four years in college, but his present to the Buckeyes gives them a chance to make history in 2012.

PeteThamelNYT Pete Thamel
Why is Jared Sullinger coming back? 1) He lost. 2) He needs to play more 4. 3) He's having fun. OSU = 2012 favorite. http://nyti.ms/gcr03c
6 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

 

[Jon]

It sounds like they have a plan, albeit there are 7-foot PFs out there who can bother Sullinger with their length - not just C's.

I was impressed that Sullinger was able to scrape together the numbers he did even though he couldn't just have his way in the post.

If he works on his defense, that's what'll ultimately make a difference.

 

[Shakalu M.D.]

All good points. Carlos Boozer played at about 280 at Duke, and lost about 25 pounds between the end of the college season and the beginning of his first pro season. It dramatically improved his game. Plus, big men who rely more on skill than pure athleticism really seem to benefit from more time in college to develop moves and an offensive repertoire, because developing such moves once you hit the NBA is a lot tougher.

Sullinger may not get more fit, and may not end up improving his moves, but that's far from a sure thing. I'd agree that an extra year in college likely will make him a better pro, and given that rookie contracts are scaled anyway, entering the league as a more polished guy who can play rather than ride the bench may mean more money in the long term anyway.

WhoWeAre

It's way too early to say that. Success in the NBA is not dependent upon freakish athleticism. I mentioned Boozer up above, and I think Sullinger has the potential to be that kind of guy, especially if he loses some weight and adds some muscle. He's got that good shooting touch like Boozer, which can be a huge asset for a power forward. And while his footwork isn't that great yet, neither was Boozer's as a college freshman, and Sullinger's shown enough in that regard that it is reasonable to expect it can be improved.

Just an opinion here, but I think some folks tend to fall in love with the type of freakish athleticism we see in some wing players, and overlook fundamentals and an understanding of the game that can be particularly important factors when talking about big men.

I agree, there is no way of knowing how he will continue to develop. However I have some major concerns with Sullinger. He isn't athletic, but he doesn't have great size either. He has struggled against bigger guys who can body him up. He's made his living off of garbage buckets and overpowering smaller guys. Unless he improves his post game he will have even more issues in th NBA.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I agree, there is no way of knowing how he will continue to develop. However I have some major concerns with Sullinger. He isn't athletic, but he doesn't have great size either.

I actually think his size his okay. He's got a good wingspan, legit height, and a frame to add more muscle. Most importantly, he's only a freshman, which means he's physically not a finished product yet. Of course, if he doesn't put in the work, then you're right.

He has struggled against bigger guys who can body him up. He's made his living off of garbage buckets and overpowering smaller guys. Unless he improves his post game he will have even more issues in th NBA.

He couldn't have put up the numbers he did if he's just a garbage guy who scores simply because he overpowers little people. You're right, at his current level, he'd have problems in the NBA. But post players take longer to develop, both physically and skill wise. And given his post skills in comparison to other post players in college basketball, he's a very good prospect. And I really like his ability to shoot, because that is a skill that can turn an ordinary ham and egg PF into an all-star.

Maybe we're not that far off. I don't think he's ready to be an NBA post player either, but almost nobody at that age is. I do think he's got the tools and attitude to develoop into one if he applies himself, though, which is why I think his decision to return was a good one.

 

[billmac91]

i don't think sullinger is a bad player...i just don't think he will amount to much in the NBA. the way he struggles against bigger defenders shows you a glimpse of how he will struggle in the NBA.

by the way...fuck all you bitches for piling on me about the Ryan Hollins comment...i hope you all drown in a shallow puddle of aids. i said he was a natural athlete with a lot of raw athletic ability - he's fast, agile, and is a great leaper....and i'm still right about that...unfortunately he doesn't have the mental ability to translate that into performance on the court....i'm outta here....all you petty fuckers won't let one comment die....fuck you all. it's obvious you assholes want me gone...so i will oblige...goodbye...thanks to the people who weren't assholes...i occaisionally had a good time on this board when dickheads weren't bringing up one Ryans Hollins comment i made months ago...

peace...i'm outta here.

WOW...I'm eating my full plate of crow. I kept thinking about this post as Hollins made Wade and Bosh his bitch and set the tone for this win. I don't care if Hollins reverts back to his human-self for the rest of his career, tonight he was super-man. I'll always have some love for him after tonight...

Have a drink on me GregDawg

 

[gregdawg]

WOW...I'm eating my full plate of crow. I kept thinking about this post as Hollins made Wade and Bosh his bitch and set the tone for this win. I don't care if Hollins reverts back to his human-self for the rest of his career, tonight he was super-man. I'll always have some love for him after tonight...

Have a drink on me GregDawg

thank you...

well...now that i have been vindicated, i'm back to collect some apologies from all the bitches who piled on me like a pack of hyenas on a carcass (just for saying Ryan Hollins was athletic and had potential to be a decent player).....well.........

with Hollins starting at center, the cavs are 4-4 in the last 8 games (their most successful stretch of the season since the first few games). in 3 of those games he scored 13, 16, and 14 points, and played decent defense in the paint...
MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

he still can't rebound for shit, but that's only because he never even goes after the ball...he has terrible rebounding instincts...if he'd ever actually make an effort to go after rebounds he could be a good rebounder...once again, with rebounding, his mental definciencies prevent him from taking advantage of his natural athleticism and leaping ability.

as of now, he's not better than Varejao...but i do think he has more raw athletic ability (potential) than Varejao (he's more athletic, can jump higher). If he ever focused and learned how to play basketball, he could be better than Varejao...that's all I ever said...and i don't think i'm wrong. again, this is all IF he ever took the time to learn the game of basketball...which i never said he would do.

once again...to all the fuckhead haters

 

[Jon]

What I find funny is that you once said that Varejao was crap and would crumble outside of LeBron's shadow, while it's actually Hollins who's only now playing well after Baron's arrival.

Hollins is currently averaging 8.4 ppg over the games he's started. I believe you also said that a starting C was crap if he couldn't score well in to double digits, no?

 

[JAY1977]

You had me rolling on the ground with this post. Hollins does have the size, speed, athleticism needed but still struggles for some reason. His last few games have shown vast improvment but he has to be CONSISTENT and rebound. No excuse for someone that big to be outrebounded by guards! After the Heat win he can score 2 points and 1 rebound per game and we would still have some love for the guy.

 

[Man Called X]

You can thank Baron Davis for making Ryan Hollins look like a serviceable big man. Christ, this should be obvious.

 

[gregdawg]

yes...i still believe that to be considered a legit STARTING center, you should average around 10 ppg at the least. Sure, Hollins is only averaging 8.4 so far, but has shown a lot of potential to be a 10-12 ppg guy. He has had games of 13, 16, and 14 points...there's no reason he can't eventually do that every game. like i said, his problems are all mental. He has ridiculous athleticism for a 7 footer...just watch him run and jump and you can see the athleticism oozing out of him...but you can tell he doesn't have a lot of experience and he hasn't shown much motivation, which has held him back (he doesn't go after rebounds, bobbles passes occasionally, etc.). if he can get his head straight and focus, he can be a 12 ppg, 8 rpg guy...

the difference between Andy and Hollins is that Hollins is a crazy high jumper and has the body of a true 7 footer...7 feet tall, with long arms, and strong. He has the potential to be a shot blocker and defender of the paint...as opposed to Andy who doesn't have the leaping ability to ever be a shot blocker. Hollins is a true center, Andy is not. Hollins' ceiling is higher than Andy's...whether he reaches that ceiling is up to him...

again...he's not better than Andy, but he has the potential to be better than Andy eventually.

 

[mcfly]

Eventually? The guy is 26 years old. I also do not think Hollins has it in him to ever grab 8rpg.

 

[gregdawg]

Eventually? The guy is 26 years old. I also do not think Hollins has it in him to ever grab 8rpg.

i know...it's sad how he doesn't even try to go after rebounds. i don't know how many times i've seen him just stare at the ball and not even make an attempt to grab it. it's a shame that a guy with his size and leaping ability can't just put his damn arms up and try to grab the ball...it's all mental with him.