Sullinger is working on his jumper, which is important for the not-particularly-athletic big man.
Jared Sullinger is working on his outside game.It's not correct to say little is expected of Boston Celtics rookie forward Jared Sullinger, because head coach Doc Rivers demands plenty from his subjects.
But there are certain aspects of Sullinger's game the Celtics don't yet expect him to translate to the NBA level.
Chief among them: scoring.
Through seven games with Boston, he has scored just 3.6 points per games, attempting just 21 total shots while playing 17.0 minutes per game. According to NBA.com's statistical database, just five of his attempts have come from outside the paint -- four of them have been missed midrange jumpers, and the other was a 3-pointer he drilled as time expired on the third quarter Monday night against the Chicago Bulls.
But Sullinger's working on expanding his offensive repertoire, a move that could pay big dividends later this season or perhaps later in Sullinger's career.
The power forward gave credit to Rajon Rondo for his 3-pointer Monday, indicating to the Boston Herald that he and the point guard work on pick-and-pop shots like those each day after practice. He was probably referring to this drill captured on video by WEEI's Mike Petraglia after one Celtics practice:
If Sullinger can develop an accurate midrange game -- keep in mind, he shot 40 percent from behind the college arc in 40 attempts last season and has a history of being a talented scorer -- it could help him find more of an offensive role with the Celtics.
Rivers isn't going to call Sullinger's number in the post very often, largely because Boston has several more proven options and at least partially because there are real concerns about whether Sullinger's low-post scoring can survive against NBA length. But if the rookie can turn his jump shot into a weapon -- with his soft touch, it's not out of the realm of possibility -- it could allow him to contribute further as a scorer without the Celtics looking to him any more than they already do.
It might not happen this season, though. And even if Sullinger does improve his jumper, Boston will still be looking to him almost solely for rebounding, post defense and cerebral play. The expectations have changed for Sullinger. But they're still plenty.