A taller Chuck Hayes? No, he's a more offensive-minded Kendrick Perkins. A really interesting prospect, maybe too slow to play in the today's NBA though.
Height can cover the lack of lateral quickness. Strength can't. Though I think he is worth our own pick definitely.
lr22, I really think you're trying to say Jared lacks explosion. That is what I see deficient in his physicality. Explosion. Not height. Not quickness. Not strength. Explosion. However, even though he lacks the explosion of guys like Dwight, and other power forward types, he is a very, very strong hoss. No single player can deal with his strength on the block. He compensates for his lack of explosion very well with strength and quick feet that get him in his back to the basket moves. He will be one of the 5 best players in this draft.
I'm talking about his defense. And I think he lacks quickness to some extent. He can beat his every match-ups with his bulky body and great finishing skills. But defensively, can he deal with NBA's quicker post players and slashers? I'm just concerned about the possibility of his becoming a bust, though there is a chance, and I think that's not a low chance, to become one of the most dominant big men in the league in the future.
Defensively he's not going to be a shot blocker or much of a help defender or really a defensive stud. But he's got plenty of size and smarts to be a good post defender. He will probably need to be paired with a more defensive oriented big. But just because he isn't a total stud defensively doesn't mean he won't be a great player. ..like Kevin Love...and many others.
I'm not trying to harass you or anything, but you can understand why some might think comparing Sullinger to Charles Barkley and Kevin Love is a huge reach, right? I don't see either player in him. Other than rebounding, he has zero chance to play like either guy IMO. Sully will never have a perimeter game in the NBA close to either player. I would compare Sullinger to a Sheldon Williams, but with legit offensive skill.
Comparing him to a HOF player and former MVP just isn't fair. I think there's a decent chance he ends up being a bust.
Comparing him to a bust just isn't fair. I think there's a decent chance he ends up being a repeat All-Star.
While I don't see Jared Sullinger becoming an All-Star, he does possess tools to become a solid contributor. The comparison to Barkley isn't a good one as Barkley could kill you on the post, but most importantly he could put the ball on the floor and beat you. Also, Barkley was a fantastic athlete for a guy of his size. People forget, Charles Barkley had incredible reach for a guy his height and he could definitely get up which attributed to his nickname as the "Round Mound of Rebound". Jared does have offensive skills for a big man, but his athleticism (or lack thereof) is going to hurt him at the next level.
Sullinger is going to kill people in the post. Anytime you compare any rookies to hall of famers it is an unfair comparison. But it is even more unfair to compare them to busts and players that are almost the exact opposite of them. Sheldon is a defensive player. He hangs his hat, what there is of it, on defense. Sullinger is an offensive player. He will hang his hat on 20/10.
I think Sullinger is going to be a terrific defender. He is not going to block a lot of shots but he is a smart defender. He will be able to drive his opponent away from the basket and much like Chuck Hayes, he use positioning and strength . I see as a someone who will be a great man on man defender.
See, defense is where i have questions about Sully. I agree that he is gonna be a blue-chip post player; a true power forward, but given his consistant foul trouble in college, I have serious concerns about his ability to defend in the post. To address another point some posters are making, Sully is not a center. He's 6'9" and he doesn't block shots. His natural position in the NBA is the 4; and if he can work on his defense, he shoud be a good pro.
disagree: 280 lbs, 7-1 wingspan. Aren't these enough to play 5 in the NBA? agree: If he can work on his defense, he should be a monster.
Yes he can play center and I can't imagine that he will not play center. The man weighs 280 lbs. he carries a load with him. I don't think he is athletic enough to play power forward on a nightly bases in the NBA anyway.
