Boston Celtics: Final Preseason Grades
By Andrew Fine
Oct 23, 2015; Manchester, NH, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) reacts after scoring against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Verizon Wireless Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Jonas Jerebko (B-) 5.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 41.9 FG%
The Swede’s preseason play did not do him any favors in earning extended minutes this season. Per usual Jerebko fought for 50-50 balls and tipped the ball back on misses to reset the shot clock.
He unfortunately shot the ball at a low percentage and struggled from 3-point range. Jerebko’s performance didn’t do him any favors and he likely won’t be playing 18 minutes per game like he did last year due to how well the other forwards ahead of him on the depth chart have performed.
Jared Sullinger (C+) 7.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 38.9 FG%
Sullinger saved his preseason from being a total disaster with his performance in the last few games of the preseason. Even with those stronger performances, Sullinger hardly made the case for a spot in Boston’s four-man rotation of bigs. He’s got a knack for finding rebounds, but everything else looked rough in the preseason.
He seemed hesitant to take a three-pointer and often chose to step in and take a mid-range jumper, which he shot at a poor percentage (5/22 per NBA.com). With all his talk about coming into camp in-shape, Sullinger’s preseason performance did not support any of his claims about his fitness.
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