Celtics @ 7: Brad Stevens Missed Opportunity To Send Sullinger A Message
BOSTON (CBS) - Celtics power forward Jared Sullinger seems to be having some trouble beating the Boston traffic.
Sullinger did not start Sunday when he was late for shootaround before facing the Miami Heat. Thinking he would've learned his lesson, Sullinger also did not start on Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets for being late once again, making two total tardies in less than a week's time.
98.5 The Sports Hub's Adam Jones and Rich Keefe discussed this new Celtics development on Thursday night's Celtics @ 7.
"The bigger issue for Sullinger isn't being late, but not taking responsibility for it. That's embarrassing. It was a complete lack of professionalism. My question is why did he play on Wednesday night?" Jones asked. "He's late twice in five days and you're not sending a strong message whatsoever. Makes no sense to bench him for five minutes and then play him."
Not only does this story reflect poorly on Sullinger, but according to Jones, this story also reflects poorly on Brad Stevens and rest of the coaching staff.
"To me, this is about Brad Stevens and how you're going to handle the team," Jones told Keefe. "It just seems like Sullinger doesn't care."
Keefe agrees with Jones, and didn't understand the reasoning of benching him and letting him play afterwards.
"These next few years you're somewhat developing and figuring out who your guys are going to be. Young guys are going to make mistakes on and off the court. The question is how do you learn from your mistakes? That is sitting on the bench and watching your team play," Keefe told Jones.
Sullinger wound up scoring 14 points off the bench and made two late free throws to give the Celtics a 104-100 Wednesday night win over the Nuggets, but his production has never been a question -- right now, it's his attitude.
Listen below for full discussion:
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