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Jared Sullinger: ‘We’re the Underground Railroads’ 01.10.13 at 12:57 am ET
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Jared Sullinger just graduated Kevin Garnett 101. Under the tutelage of his veteran mentor, the Celtics rookie has thrived on the court. Now it’s time for a new lesson: The Art of the Metaphor.

Over the years, we’ve been treated to KG’s lectures on everything from zoology to culinary arts to technology, so there’s no telling how he’ll grade this attempt at an historical metaphor from Sullinger.

“It’s a lot of hard work,” Sullinger said after recording the second double-double of his career (12 points, 16 rebounds) in an 87-79 win over the Suns, “but the train doesn’t stop here. We’ve got to keep going. We’ve got to make it to the next stop, after that the next stop, after that the next stop, so we’re the Underground Railroads.”

Ok, then. Moving on. The Celtics have won four straight, and Sullinger has averaged 9.3 points and 10.0 rebounds in that stretch. The C’s late first-round pick raised his nightly production to 5.6 rebounds, which ranks only behind top-10 selections Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist among NBA rookies.

“I could care less,” said Sullinger, whose name has also been thrown around in various trade scenarios for DeMarcus Cousins. “We’re winning. We’ve won four in a row, so that’s my main focus. Last June is behind me.”

Consider Sullinger plays just 19 minutes a game, his numbers become all the more impressive. On Wednesday, however, he played a season-high 34 minutes, and his 16 boards marked a new season-high for the C’s.

“We’ve got a lot of confidence in him, and I think he’s feeling his own confidence,” said Garnett. “He’s playing like a madman. I knew he had like 10 [rebounds] or something. I didn’t know he had 16. That’s what’s up.

“He has the perfect body for rebounding. He can bump a little bit, and he has great anticipation when it comes to the ball. He can take the pounding, and he has great hands. Put all that in a pot, and you got Jared Sullinger. That’s what makes him one of the up-and-coming great rebounders in our game.”

Wait, did my ears deceive me or did we just hear another KG cooking analogy? Meanwhile, Celtics coach Doc Rivers didn’t mix metaphors when it came to Sullinger’s prowess on the glass.

“Most of the great rebounders aren’t that tall, when you think about it,” said Rivers. “They’re big, they’re physical, and they have great instincts. I think that’s the No. 1 thing. … Just think about the list of great rebounders. They just have a knack for the ball. And they have great hands, every single one of them.”

Sullinger offered a simpler explanation for his 10.6 rebounds per 36 minutes pace.

“You’ve got to have a go-get-it attitude when it comes to rebounding, and that’s what I have,” said the 6-foot-9, 260-pound rookie. “I’m just a go-getter when it comes to rebounding.”

You could almost hear Sullinger whistling “This Train Is Bound For Glory” on his way out the locker room.

Read More: Boston Celtics, Doc Rivers, Jared Sullinger, Kevin Garnett Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Jaysonsully29

    what went wrong they hired valentine

  • DennyG

    Another dazzling night of pitching from Beckett.  He’s been out to pasture for 3 years now but nobody seems to have told the team that.  Youk is washed up emotionally and physically.  We don’t have a shortstop, center fielder, left fielder, catcher or a single pitcher that can finish a game.  This is going to be an exceptional year of .480 ball.  They won’t win half their games.

  • O-must-go

    Great effort, solid pitching (except for Morales), and good defensive play should’ve led to a win, but this Texas team is really special.  I think the Sox would’ve had to be perfect in order to win.  That’s how good the Rangers are.  Maybe the best team in baseball.

  • Annie

    Agreed on pitching but communication is key as well and this team is not playing/fitting well together. Trade Beckett he’s a douche and overblown ego – want my red sox back – Tito and paps – new closer will b no better than what already traded out. . . Bad management decisions! Nice article :)

  • JillS

    While I do agree that any team owes their manager respect, BV hasn’t exactly waltzed in and earned it.  In fact, I think he’s positioned himself as NOT being a team player himself.  What boss throws a member of their team under the bus like this?  BV has drawn the line, and Pedey just let him know he has no problem walking over it.  In any organization, when you arrive as the new guy, and replace someone who was much loved and respected by the staff, you work a little harder to fit in and be likeable.  Besides being a horrible manager (how many times per week can he say he agrees with being booed by fans because he made the wrong call?  *groan*), BV has once again positioned himself as rubbing everyone the wrong way – whether his players, fans, or the media.  Yes, his abrasive ways may well unite the team, but when he’s still making the uninformed decisions that he is, it won’t make a difference.

  • Ralph Godiak

    It’s loaded like last year but MLB doesn’t have perennial winners except the Yankees.   Too much money is at stake to allow nothing but talent and desire to win every year so they rig the games through the umpires.  It was transparently obvious these last three games.  Look for more of the same this weekend against the always favored Yankees.

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