Expectations Are Rising for Jared Sullinger

Jared Sullinger has been in a relatively comfortable position with the Boston Celtics for the majority of his time with the team. At the very beginning, Sullinger was too young to have high expectations. Most people recognized the tremendous potential Sullinger had in his offensive game and the moment the Celtics started rebuilding his offensive potential was enough to make him one of the best players on the team.

Now that Sullinger has been a part of the Celtics for three seasons he can no longer bank on potential and results are the only thing that will secure his spot on the team. Many people have viewed Sullinger as the best player on the Celtics because he is a dynamic stretch four that fits perfectly into Brad Stevens’ system.

Sullinger has the size to do damage in the post and the stroke to do damage in both the mid and long range game. The problem is that Sullinger’s deficiencies are starting to become more prominent and with playoff expectations surrounding the team, he has been no where near good enough to be the top player of this current team.

Apr 14, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) looks for an opening against Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson (15) in the second half at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated the Toronto Raptors 95-93. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics have added both Amir Johnson and David Lee and they have Jordan Mickey blowing people away in the summer league. 28.3% from three point range and sub 50% from everywhere other than 3 feet from the rim is no longer good enough to earn Sullinger minutes.

The Celtics are still rebuilding but the talent level and especially the depth is increasing and even if Sullinger improves his conditioning, he will have to deal with much bigger expectations than he has ever experienced.

Throw in that Marc D’Amico has headlines reading History Suggests Sullinger Will Have Career Year and Sullinger is entering unchartered territory this season.

Expectations for his team and expectations for his play have been tempered during his short career but those days are over. The unfortunate reality for Sullinger is that he is not only battling to be the top player on the team, but he may be battling for his future on the team.

Johnson and Lee are much more polished and efficient than Sullinger and even if they have never been known to stretch the floor they are currently better offensive options than Sullinger. Neither of them have ever had a season shooting less than 50% overall and Sullinger is yet to have a single season above that mark.

The good news for Sullinger is he will be given an opportunity to prove he has made the necessary improvements. With all the other significant power forwards (other than Jonas Jerebko) being new additions this season, Sullinger has a great opportunity to be the opening day starter.

Sullinger has assured everyone that he has improved his conditioning and he has no where to go but up with his three point shooting. The conditioning issues should improve Sullinger on the defensive end and on the boards and another offseason working in Stevens’ system should be enough to push him over 30% three point shooting.

Apr 8, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) shoots the ball over Detroit Pistons center Joel Anthony (50) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Celtics won 113-103. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The entire Boston Celtics franchise is going to have to deal with the highest expectations in the Brad Stevens era but Sullinger’s history on the team amplifies his personal standards. The Celtics’ standards for best player on the team are no longer what they used to be and there are too many options behind Sullinger for him to struggle.

Everyone has seen the potential in Sullinger but this is the season he will have to make his leap. Sullinger is still young enough that he does not have to be the best player on the team, but his past play may not be good enough for a solid spot in the rotation.

The Celtics are in a great position to discover which players will be in the long term plans and if Sullinger falls too far behind he may never get another opportunity. Throw in that Sullinger may also have to deal with another dynamic power forward in Perry Jones and he has almost no room to struggle.

Sullinger has the luxury of controlling his own destiny but he needs to prove to the Celtics that he is ready to become a leader of a contending team. Power forward is a crucial position in Stevens’ system and Sullinger has had flashes of being an ideal fit. Unfortunately, flashes of greatness will no longer cut it on a team that is looking to become something special.

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