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Your Morning Dump… Where Jared Sullinger gets benched for being late (again)

Chuck - Red's Army February 5, 2015 Celtics News, Jared Sullinger, The Morning Dump 36 Comments

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Jared Sullinger said he was late to the Celtics’ shootaround Sunday because he got stuck behind a funeral procession. Sullinger was removed from the starting lineup for that misstep, but coach Brad Stevens was not overly concerned.

Then on Wednesday, Sullinger said, he remembered getting stuck on Sunday, so he took a different route to TD Garden and ended up behind ambulances and had to turn around and take another route. This caused him to miss the team’s walkthrough, and it also led Stevens to remove him from the lineup once more. This time, the coach was a bit more frustrated.

“Anytime you have something you need to be at, you need to be there,” Stevens said. “Of the few rules you have, one of them is timeliness.”

Globe

I was late Sunday and Wednesday because I got caught in traffic — that’s all. Sunday was just one of those days where I ran into traffic. It is what it is. Wednesday I got in some more traffic. I should have known. I thought I left on time by leaving my house at 3:15 to get here at 4:45, but it didn’t work out that way. I should have known with the Patriots‘ parade. It was just bad timing on my part.

I explained to Coach Stevens why I was late and he understood. He still has to set an example by not starting me. I had started every game before Sunday and I wasn’t disappointed at all to see that end because I respect the decision. I grew up in a household with a mom and dad who don’t like being late, so I understood the punishment. I had no problem with it.

I guarantee anyone that asks me why I showed up late is the same person that has been late once or twice in their life. Nobody’s perfect.

Jared Sullinger on ESPN Boston

As someone who deals with Boston’s insane traffic on a daily basis, I’m willing to cut Sullinger some slack on this issue.

But showing up late for consecutive home games? This reminds me of some conversations I have with my children where they fail to follow basic instructions less than 5 minutes after said words leave my mouth.

I don’t know when walk-throughs are scheduled and how much time is between a walk-through and tip-off, but Sullinger should be in the building several hours before a game. Isn’t that what leaders do? First to arrive, last to leave?

Let’s hope this is a learning experience that leads to Sully changing his habits.

I should be praising him for making two clutch free-throws to ice last night’s win over the Nuggets. Instead, I’m distracted by this crap.

For what it’s worth, CSNNE’s Kyle Draper reports that Sullinger’s tardiness last night was a result of getting pulled over by a cop.

Related links: Herald – Another late arrival lands Sully on pine

On Page 2, Jae Crowder looking like Malcolm Butler.

On Wednesday night it was Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder doing his best Malcolm Butler impersonation in stealing a last-second pass to help secure a 104-100 win for the Celtics over the Denver Nuggets.

Butler, whose interception near the 1-yard-line in the final seconds of the New England Patriot’s 28-24 Super Bowl win over Seattle, was among the Patriots players honored at Wednesday’s basketball game at the TD Garden.

“He’s (Butler) amazing,” said Crowder who also had 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and another steal besides the one at the end of the game. “He’s the guy. The play he made was unbelievable. The guys joke around and say I’m Malcolm Butler. There’s no Super Bowl out there; that’s for sure.”

CSNNE

Pats owner Robert Kraft, Brandon LaFell, Butler and a bunch of other unrecognizable Patriots were honored last night at the Garden.

Too bad the crowd was a bit light. Bill Doyle of the Worcester T&G says last night’s attendance of 15,126 was the lowest since 2007.

I have to ask the obvious question – what in the hell is Brandon LaFell wearing? A sweatshirt skirt?

Related: ESPN Boston – Crowder channels his inner Butler

The rest of the links:

Herald- Inspired Celtics strike gold | Rough stretch for Brian Shaw | ESPN Boston – Wallace crashes rolling rally | CSNNE- Small starting line-up a factor in win | Globe – Evenness of Celtics roster can be oddly effective

Curt Hays

But they looked good again in the 2nd quarter. they did that thing where they move the ball around and then put it through the hoop a lot of times.

Is Brad Stevens to blame for the lack of defense and effort in the second half?
- Alex Costa
  
  I believe it is more fatigue than anything else. It was the second game of a back-to-back and you could tell they were a tad bit gassed.
  - Curt Hays
    
    I understand that, but I think they should discuss that with James Young who is playing for the Celtics and the Red Claws.
KWAPT

I can certainly understand the low attendance last night. I was at the Pats’ parade, and the MBTA was still a mess. That, and you had the evening rush & all the parade folk all competing to get around. Can’t blame people for staying home.
- Curt Hays
  
  Interesting…you didn’t ride in with Sully, did you?
CFH

As I look out my window at even more snow falling on the almost impassable streets of Boston… I give Sully a free pass for being late and the fans a free pass for not showing up at all.
Tommy_Heinsohn

I know it’s a different sport but I really wish the Celtics would build something similar to what the patriots have. Of course the pats having arguably the greatest coach, qb, and owner ever helps, but what they are is consistent. Just like the spurs they’re in contention every year. The celtics need to get back to what they had in the past and I don’t mean the few years we had with kg, ray, and doc. I mean a contender and winning organization year in, year out for a long time. We have the richest tradition and most honored organization in the NBA, it’s time we get back to those glory days.
- Curt Hays
  
  Wait…I thought WE had the best owner ever?!?!
  
  [I’m from Dallas]
- Dave
  
  We could have done that with PP, KG, RR, and Doc with the right amount of depth. Even Ray would have probably come running back if we were in ATL’s position right now.
  - Tommy_Heinsohn
    
    Idk those guys were on the tail end of their careers, if they stayed our run still would have been over probably 2 years ago
    - Dave
      
      Obviously you can’t rely on them to be the main guys at that stage in their careers. That’s why you build around them with depth ala Spurs.
      
      Could have gotten The Greek Freak when we traded up in the 2013 draft making Green more expendable. Possibly could have pulled off some sign and trades for Mozgov and Ellis who were free agents that year. Sign Livingston so him and Terry hold down the fort before Rondo returns as well as another veteran swingman and they would have been right back at it.
      - forever_green
        
        There are more moves that could have been made and not made. And I believe Ray would have stayed if he had not been dangled in trade rumors every year, it obviously got to him, I don’t excuse him for leaving to our hated rival but I don’t blame him for sticking it to DA either.
      - Dave
        
        I agree, I think all of that could have been avoided had Danny found an adequate back up to him after we won in 08 (Hello Pietrus).
        
        With the suggested moves I’ve mentioned above even that would attract Ray back here and fix his ties with KG, PP, RR, and Doc. Going on to win the chip this year and our Big 3 retires happily together.
        
        Again that’s all a pipe dream but that would be the perfect story book ending for everyone as well as making a nice transition to the Rondo led team for the upcoming years.
      - Tommy_Heinsohn
        
        Don’t forget guys, Ray wasn’t only pissed because of trade rumors. Doc began starting Avery over Ray and Ray wasn’t happy being a bench player for the first time in his career. Can’t place all the blame on DA.
      - Dave
        
        Well he went on to be exactly that for Miami except taking less money which was pretty much the main factor that got us all steaming.
- forever_green
  
  The difference is Brady and Duncan won’t be traded for a bunch of picks. Our GM has no loyalty.
  - Tommy_Heinsohn
    
    Well belichick is quick to get rid of veteran players for younger talent (Seymour, mankins, welker) so I wouldn’t say he’s the most loyal
  - Sean McLaughlin
    
    Sully will be traded soon, I’m sure, because he’s my new favorite Celtic and Danny Ainge has a personal vendetta against me to get rid of all my favorite players one by one.
    - forever_green
      
      Lol, you and me both!
swissflix

Marcus Smart: 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals. WOW. Who would have thought he would have such an impact by now? That backcourt with him, Bradley and Young is fantastic. Also, i am happy to see the old AB back. The one who plays hard D.
- bill_nair
  
  Looks like Smarts tenacity is rubbing off on AB. Get him back to his roots, hes not a good offensive player.
- Alex Costa
  
  Still not a fan of Bradley’s long-ass 2 point shots.
forever_green

I’m so happy for Brady & the Patriots. There was some bad luck in the game again with the ref setting a pick in the inzone for a Seahawk touchdown and that crazy catch by Kearse at the end. But they made the plays they needed to and deserved the win.
- RedsLoveChild
  
  Not to mention the roughing the punter “non-call” when Ryan Allen got slammed into.
  
  Patriot haters refuse to talk about Butler making what was probably the greatest defensive play ever…they focus on Carroll`s play calling.
  - forever_green
    
    Yes that no call and the 4th down touchdown before the half, I still can’t believe the Seahawks went for it, it was either incredibly stupid or incredibly genius to go for it. IDK.
    And yeah that interception was just clutch, its like he knew right where the ball was going and got there first, just amazing.
    - KGino
      
      The 3 most easily overlooked aspects of that play are 1.) Butler tells Browner its coming before the snap 2.) Browner listens and hits his receiver off the line allowing Butler to jump that route. 3.) BB had them practicing 2 plays on defense in that exact situation, the two pass plays SEA runs frequently in that position… And Butler had it ingrained into his head so hard he was able to beat the receiver to the spot… Amazing.
      
      And Belichick not calling timeout with 56 seconds was one of his most genius decisions ever, he flipped the pressure back on SEA and trusted he had prepared his team well enough to make a play
      - forever_green
        
        Not overlooked..this
      - KGino
        
        Hope this win fills your championship hole like it did mine F_G. It set my patience meter with the C’s back to zero I think lol, so long as the C’s are competitive once Brady retires I will be a happy fan
KGino

I love when I make a statement like “James Young reminds me of Mike Redd” 2 months ago and Mike Gorman announces this game to Tommy… “You know who young reminds me of?… Michael Redd.” Love that!
- Tommy_Heinsohn
  
  Lol I remember that one KGino
RedsLoveChild

This COULD be Sully`s “passive-aggressive” way of getting himself traded.
IF so, grant him his wish!

Between his domestic violence and weight issues, his 13 PPG & 7 RPG are definitely replaceable.
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