Recap: Cavs: Fail, Knicks: Win 2012-03-31 Off By Mallory Factor II Colin, Kevin, John, Ryan and I are now in full fledged tank mode. Let’s hope we end up with John Hollinger with the #2 pick next year (assuming Bill Simmons goes 1.) Here’s to the future! Link to the present: 03/31/2012 Links to the Present: April 2, 2012
Kevin, good stuff about Sullinger’s game compared to current pros.
I wonder if there would be much of a difference in the Cavs if you swapped Sullinger and Jamison?
Per possession, Ohio State was the 20th best defense in the NCAA. Ken Pomerory has an “adjusted defensive efficiency” that encompasses strength of schedule. Ohio State had the second best rating on this in Division I. Sullinger was the starting center on one of the best defensive teams in college basketball. He can’t be that big of a liability. He rebounds, which is valuable, and is strong enough to the defend the post. I think he plays smart, rotates well, etc. He also seems to defend entry passes well. I agree he should be paired with a shot blocker, but… Read more »
The problem with Sullinger is that he basically plays no defense. Like, none. Despite the fact that he’s an ok defensive rebounder, he’s completely helpless against guys that are about average height for NBA power forwards, and that’s a bad thing. He’s got no lift, as well – a completely below-the-rim player. You would really need to pair him with someone that protects the rim well. It is kind of shocking the number of ways he can shoot the ball, though. Probably one of the more offensively skilled big men to come out in a while.
I think Elton Brand is a good Sullinger comparison.
My take is that 25 year old Jared Sullinger will compare well enough with the players that I listed above. Draftexpress uses Scola and Millsap as comparables.
As far as a player defending him, Withey is pretty much a worst case scenario for Sullinger. Withey is a 7 footer and he was the Big 12’s defensive player of the year, thanks to blocking 3.5 shots in 24 minutes a game. In the NBA, Sullinger will need to play PF. The following list consistutes nearly half of the NBA’s starting PF’s this year: Carlos Boozer, Brandon Bass, Jason Maxiell, DJ White, Antawn Jamison, David Lee, Luis Scola, David West, Marreese Speights, Trevor Booker, Paul Millsap, Carl Landry, Ryan Anderson and Channing Frye. Each of these players can be… Read more »
I think it’s becoming increasingly clear that our pick will fall too high to be taking Sullinger, but I’d draft him if we end up picking in the 8-10 range.
Cavs play the Spurs tomorrow while the Raptors play the Bobcats. A cavs loss paired with a raptors win gives us the fourth overall worst record. I like our chances.
Sullinger needs another 2 years of college, more if it were possible. The ownage by Withey(SP?) on that double block and shot change were tough to watch. That would happen every night in the NBA for him. Then again I don’t think KU’s Robinson is the beast every thought he was either.
Buford looked like a sure thing last year. Looks terrible this year.
As a huge Ohio State fan, I want nothing to do with Buford (or Sullinger) in the NBA.
Hopefully not good. He’s a future D leaguer/Euroleaguer.
What do you think the odds are of snagging William Buford early second round?
For God’s sake, just please don’t draft another Windhorst who’s going to bolt as soon as his contract expires…
Ugh. The comment monster executes about as well as the SALLO lineup Matthew referenced. Comment monster’s already thinking about the offseason.
It certainly looked like the D-League allstars last night, sometimes on both sides of the ball. Anyway, now that we’re in freefall I’m hoping that Klosterman could fall to us. He’s really been flying under the radar.
haha, Kevin….
I’ve mailed it in too. I didn’t even bother watching the last two games. I suppose my dwindling level of sanity has trumped my fanaticism. Thank goodness.
I think I take Hollinger number 1. Clearly not as enjoyable of a read, but he’s bald. That’s good in basketball, right?
Even if we’re top 3, Marc Stein would be a huge upgrade to the roster; great upside there.
The Kentucky boys look so good to me.
Basketball god(s) — let us hit that # 1 pick just one more year…
I knew things wouldn’t end well when our starting line up going into the second quarter was Lester Hudson, Anthony Parker, Omri Casspi, Luke Walton and Samardo Samuels. Ugh.
At least we’ve successfully tanked to the fifth overall spot.