A while back I wrote a blog about a potential depth chart for the new-look Future Celtics. It had a lot of holes but it was still pretty solid. Since then the Celtics have drafts Kelly Olynyk and Colton Iverson and have seemed to pick up Phil Pressey. All three, including Fab Melo from last year's draft, have shown their abilities and growth during summer league. Kelly Olynyk is really the talk of the summer league showing an NBA ready offensive tool set and scoring ability. Colton Iverson has shown raw talent and his beastly hustle and body. Phil Pressey has shown outstanding defense and passing ability but is a little turnover-prone. Fab Melo has shown a somewhat significant improvement, but it's clear he will never be more than a back-up center. But the best thing that has come out of the summer league for the Celtics is that we've seemed to discover our new Emotional Leader.
CelticsLife posted this wonderful blog about Jared Sullinger. (here)
The post talks about how Sully is always shrouded by doubt and how, in the past, he's conquered it to show his worth. Well here is my doubt: can Sullinger be the third member of our new BigThree? With Rondo being the on-court brains and strategist and Jeff Green being the offensive machine, can Sullinger be the defensive presence?
The CelticsLife post mentions his high defensive rating, but that's not the presence I'm talking about. I'm talking about the presence that makes opponents what to stay away from the key, that makes them second guess themselves and gets their head out of the game. That intimidation.
Conventionally that intimidation comes from a big shot-blocker (hence why I wanted a shot-blocker so bad). So the question is, how can Sullinger find a different way to be that intimidation?
Innovating Life
~ASKalburgi