Jared Sullinger says he's pain free, cleared to practice


After speaking with Jared Sullinger yesterday, the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn reports that Sullinger is "pain free, although with soreness."  The Celtics second year power forward had lumbar disc surgery on his back on February 1st, and it's been a long road to recovery.  He spent time bedridden watching the Lion King, cleaning out his closet, and working a shift at Taco Bell; but now is ready to get back on the court.  Here's what Sullinger had to say:
"I’m taking it as slow as possible because today is another day to get healthy. It’s a slow process but I’m good, getting back into it. I’ve been ready [for training camp], just give me about two more months to be a little smaller. I’ve been cleared to play. I’ve been cleared to have contact so I will be ready by Sept. 30. I’ve never had an injury like this in my life and it’s pretty cool that I get to go through a little more adversity than I already have, I find it fun. The first problem I had was the first day of contact and how sore I was the next day. So I’m just getting used to that. It’s slowly going away. I can’t wait to get back."

Sullinger also suggests that he will be healthier than he was last season before the surgery, when he "played on one leg."
"Recovery time is not as long. There was times when we played a back-to-back [games] and I wouldn’t be fully healthy until the following week, even though we had two games in between. It took a minute and now it’s easy as 1-2-3. I have no worries man, I am just going to come out and play my game. Whatever coach [Brad] Stevens needs me to do, that’s what I am going to do. I am ready for the season."

Washburn notes as well that Doctors have told Sullinger his injury "is not chronic or career-altering."  If he is indeed fully healthy and in better condition than last year, Celtics fans should be very excited about what they'll see from Sullinger in 2013-2014.


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