Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Sullinger’s summer could be critical to his long-term development. The Celtics would like to see the burly power forward work himself into premium shape and work on his perimeter game. Sullinger said he has heard several times that his role model should be Minnesota All-Star Kevin Love, who entered the league a pudgy post player but has developed his body as well as his outside shot.
Sullinger wants to play in the summer league but will have a conversation with president of basketball operations Danny Ainge about whether the team wants him to participate. He at least will be part of the summer league practice team, as he was last season following surgery.“Even if they tell me I’m not playing summer league, I’ll go down there and practice,” said Sullinger, who posted his 21st double-double of the season with 22 points and 10 rebounds in the Celtics’ 115-111 loss at Detroit Saturday night. “There’s other ways to be active going into summer. On top of that, you go against guys, you get to learn a little bit more about basketball.”
Last summer, Sullinger was not cleared for full basketball activity and he was unable to work himself into premium shape. This summer will be different because Sullinger is fully recovered.
“It’s very exciting because I get to develop and find out who I can be,” he said. “We’ll see. Hopefully, I’ll have some hobbies — working out and conditioning — I can carry over for the next four months.”
When asked whether he would like to follow Love’s physical path, Sullinger said: “We’ll see. It will be a totally different Jared Sullinger coming back next year. Summertime is the time to figure out your game, you watch a lot of film. I have a lot of free time and with that free time, a lot of conditioning, a lot of weightlifting, and a lot of basketball.”
Boston Globe – Jared Sullinger is a developing story
Like the rest of the team (and organization for that matter), this is a huge summer for Jared Sullinger. While he’s clearly shown that he can play at this level, and play incredibly well in stretches, he definitely has room for improvement. It’s encouraging to know that Sully is more than willing to put in the extra work this summer. Last summer was lost for him due to back surgery, but this summer he really needs to get after it if he wants to take his game to the next level. Yes, that means putting time on the court in as many opportunities as possible, including summer league if he so chooses (I doubt the team allows him to, but we’ll see).
Sullinger needs to spend time in the gym, as in on the treadmill, elliptical, spin class, stair master, etc. Get that heart rate up and the empty calories down. He needs to drop quite a bit of weight to help his stamina during games and throughout the season. No, it won’t hurt his rebounding ability at all. He knows how to get boards even though he’s not a seven-footer. It will help him and the team, no matter which way they decide to go with him.
He could remain as a key piece to the next contending team or he could be a key piece in a huge trade. Either way, getting in better shape won’t hurt anyone involved and it’s good to know that Sully is aware of this and is willing to put in the extra time this summer.
On Page 2, Joel Anthony might not exercise his player option to stay with C’s
Celtics center Joel Anthony has a $3.8 million player option this summer that he is expected to exercise, but he told the Globe he was unsure of his decision. “When the season’s over, I’ll talk with my agent and look to see what we’re going to do,” he said. Anthony has played little with the Celtics, primarily because he is new to the system and the club wanted to play Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk in the frontcourt. But Anthony could be a more useful asset next season when the Celtics move forward from rebuilding mode. He is the team’s lone legitimate center. “The team, obviously we haven’t had the success that we wanted on the court but off the court it’s been a great situation,” Anthony said. “You don’t always have that when teams are in this type of situation. That’s made it a lot easier being in a good locker room with a good group of guys.”
Boston Globe – Charles Oakley believes league has taken turn for worse (Sunday Notes)
This is likely nothing more than a case of Joel Anthony being diplomatic as I can’t fathom any other team out there willing to pay him more than $3.8 million. Unless, of course, another team is whispering thoughts of a longer-term deal to Anthony’s agent, but that’s even more doubtful. It’s not a cap-clogging deal, especially since it will be in the final year, and depending on which direction the C’s go, it might actually be an asset. His deal could also be one of those lower-level deals that are tossed into a bigger trade to make the numbers work. Either way, I doubt he declines the option and it’s never a bad thing to have a veteran big man around to help out with the younger guys, and Anthony is one of the better people around the league.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – Celtics remain at a loss
Boston Globe – Celtics drop lead, fall to Pistons | Feeling Heat after dream
Boston Herald – Celtics let win slip away in 4th quarter collapse | Celtics Notebook: Bitter pill for Brad Stevens | Ed Pinckney, ex-Villanova mates still relish giant-slaying title run
CSNNE – Signs of progress in loss to Pistons | Good, Bad & Ugly: C’s let off the gas | In the bonus: Drummond’s dominant season | Stevns: Celtics must walk the walk in final games | Rookie diary: Olynyk satisfies sweet tooth |
WEEI – Weekly NBA Draft watch: Final Four players to watch
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
