Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
“I think that’s the biggest thing — defense,” Sullinger said. “And as I realize I’m in better shape, I’m doing more things on the defensive end than I’ve done in the past two years. I’m kind of finding my way. I was telling Walt (McCarty, assistant coach) the other day, I’ve blocked more shots in practice …”
At that point in the discussion, Kelly Olynyk came down the hallway and offered a drive-by comment.
“That’s a lie,” he said.
Sullinger smiled and said, “It was your shot, as a matter of fact.
“But I’ve been blocking more shots than I’ve ever blocked in the past two years,” he continued after Olynyk had turned the corner. “It was kind of funny. But that’s just from working every day to be the best basketball player I can be.
“What’s improved the most is that I can make the second and third efforts on the defensive end. And when my legs are feeling tired, I’m able to find the extra juice to be able to knock down that shot.
We rarely use ‘shot blocking’ and ‘Jared Sullinger’ in the same sentence. It might be because his career blocks per game average is 0.6. When you google “Sullinger blocked shot” you get an array of images that show Sullinger getting stuffed.
He’s never going to have the pogo-stick shot blocking ability of a Jordan Mickey, but any improvement on defense should be highlighted. For me, I’ll be thrilled to see Sullinger play with more defensive energy. Boxing out and leaning on 7-footers is just as exhausting as flying above the rim. I hope he focuses as much as that aspects as he does shot blocking.
The CARMELO algorithm that projected 48 wins for the Celtics this season, also projects individual players WAR. Sullinger ranks 3rd on the Celtics (behind Smart and Amir Johnson):
Projected WAR: 4.1
Category: Up-and-comer
Notable comp: Nikola Vucevic
Analysis: No. 2 comp is to a player that put up 19.3 points and 10.9 rebounds per game last season. “Yes please!” screams every Celtics fans before fainting.
Maybe Sullinger’s career in Boston isn’t as dead as most fans seem to believe.
On Page 2, Klay Thompson talks smack back to Doc Rivers.
Rivers agrees. “You need luck in the West,” he says. “Look at Golden State. They didn’t have to play us or the Spurs. But that’s also a lesson for us: When you have a chance to close, you have to do it.”
Warriors guard Klay Thompson was fed Doc’s quote and responded thusly:
Klay Thompson: “If we got lucky, look at our record against them last year. I’m pretty sure we smacked them.”
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) October 9, 2015
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Klay Thompson: “Didn’t they lose to the Rockets? Exactly. So haha. That just makes me laugh. That’s funny. Weren’t they up 3-1 too?” — Diamond Leung (@diamond83) October 9, 2015
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I get Doc’s point but when you never stop talking you’re bound to say something stupid.
(h/t SB Nation)
The rest of the links
CSNNE – Lessons learned from Europe | Celtics rookies impress on European trip | Globe – Celtics global reach easy to spot in Spain
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