Jonas Jerebko is Everything Boston Needed from Sullinger

Jerebko didn’t have a huge role in the regular season, but he has been a key in the playoffs

Jonas Jerebko quietly put together a solid season for the Boston Celtics. He appeared in 78 games for the Celtics this season but rarely made a noticeable impact on the game. Averaging 4.4 points (2nd lowest of career) and 3.7 rebounds (2nd lowest of career) per game on a career-low 41.3 percent shooting, his production was small when put up against the likes of Kelly Olynyk and Jared Sullinger. He turned into one of the team’s biggest three-point threats this season – owning a 39.8 three-point percentage – but Olynyk was called upon when needing a big man to stretch the floor.

Jerebko was nothing more than a second thought heading into the playoffs. His 15.1 minutes per game was expected to dip below 10 minutes a night in the playoffs, not increase to 24.7 minutes a night. He wasn’t a liability when on the floor for the Celtics in the regular season, but they seemingly had better options who produced more.

Kelly Olynyk re-aggravated his right shoulder in Game 1 and Jared Sullinger was getting dominated by the Atlanta Hawks’ frontcourt early in the first round series, both of which opened the door for him. Jerebko saw his minutes grow from 17 to 20 to 37 in Game 3 as he eventually cracked the starting lineup for Boston.

After not starting once in the regular season, Brad Stevens made a bold move to add him to the starting lineup in Game 3. Jared Sullinger wasn’t productive by any means and it was clear the Celtics needed to shake something up. Was Jerebko the answer?

He shot 1-of-6 in Game 1, missing all three of his three-point attempts. His 3-of-6 shooting in Game 2 was better, however, he was still invisible when on the floor at times and his five rebounds in each of the first two games weren’t anything heroic. Stevens made the bold move and it paid off in a big way.

The Celtics weren’t able to get inside in the first two games. The lane was constantly clogged by the wall of Paul Millsap and Al Horford, and Boston needed a way to get them out of the lane. Sullinger’s shooting was dreadful in Game 1 (4-of-14) and it was clear early that this wasn’t going to be a series he would dominate.

Coming into the series, Boston hoped that Sullinger’s mid-range game would open lanes for Isaiah Thomas, Evan Turner and Marcus Smart. It did the opposite as Sullinger wasn’t able to connect on enough shots early to make him seem like a legitimate threat, which let his defender stay in the paint. When taking it inside, Sullinger shot a terrible 20 percent from inside three feet through the first three games. The length and physicality of Atlanta was too much for the young power forward.

On defense, Sullinger was getting dominated down low. It was known that the Celtics may struggle with the two-headed monster of Horford and Millsap. He was slow on rotations and was no inside presence to opposing Hawks’ guards penetrating the lane. Jerebko has been able to rotate better and even though he’s not a great defender, he’s given the Celtics more on the defensive end than Sullinger.

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In Jerebko’s two starts, he has shot 11-of-21 (52.4 percent) from the field and 4-of-10 from behind the arc. He has also recorded back-to-back double-doubles – averaging 11 rebounds per game in two starts – after only recording one in his 78 regular season appearances.

The impact of Jerebko was felt early in Game 3. He knocked down a three in the first couple of minutes and Millsap had to pay attention to him on the perimeter which spread out the floor and allowed for guards to drive the lane. It was a key component to a 37-point outburst by the Celtics in the first quarter.

As well as his ability to space the floor, Jerebko’s athleticism allowed Boston to play at a faster tempo. The Celtics were trying to speed up the Hawks in Games 1 and 2, however, Jerebko’s ability to run the floor allowed them to do so. Evan Turner and Jonas Jerebko added players who could lead a fast break for the Celtics after a missed shot or turnover.

He proved his worth in Game 4 when he scored 10 points in a little under two minutes of game time at the end of the third and start of the fourth quarter. His rebounding and three-point shooting helped complete the Celtics comeback, that was highlighted by a fadeaway jumper in the fourth quarter.

Next: Celtics Still Have Not Reached Their Potential

Spread the floor out and run. That’s what the Boston Celtics hoped to do in this series against the Atlanta Hawks. Jared Sullinger has struggled on both sides of the ball and Stevens was able to make the right switch before it was too late. Sullinger needs to bang down low, as well as shoot mid-range shots, however, that hasn’t been an option against the Hawks this series.

The Celtics have had the most success when they’ve been able to get out in transition and push the pace. Jerebko’s 6’10” frame, along with his athleticism, has added another dimension to their defense, let alone the offense. He’s not the sexiest name on the floor, but Boston wouldn’t be tied 2 games to 2 without him. He came out of nowhere this series and all of a sudden people are questioning why he didn’t get more playing time in the regular season and whether he’ll be brought back next season.

Maybe he’s not Larry Bird, but he’s this team’s Swedish Larry Bird.