It's been quite a 180 to start the year for Jared Sullinger, is he now Celtics No. 1 big man?


Just a few weeks ago, Jared Sullinger looked like the odd man out in the Celtics overpopulated frontcourt rotation.  We even debated Sully's future in Boston.

How quickly times have changed.

After last night's 21 points in 22 minutes on 9-of-13 shooting (3-for-4 on threes), along with eight rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks, Sullinger appears to have risen to the top of the C's big-man power rankings (which by my estimation is currently Sullinger (1), Amir Johnson (2), Kelly Olynyk (3), Jonas Jerebko (4), David Lee (5), Tyler Zeller (6)--but that's a different post for another time).

Here's bit more from Sullinger's outstanding evening:




Via ESPN Boston's Chris Forsberg, Brad Stevens spoke highly of Sullinger's game:

He’s always been a good face-up shooter, he’s shooting it probably even better right now, at least in the last couple of weeks. But he scored in the post, he rebounded. The one thing that you know going in is he’s probably our best defensive rebounder. So I thought that he was pretty good.

Just how good has Sully's shot been lately?


His field goal percentages at the moment are .543 from the floor and .462 (6-for-13) from long range.  Sullinger also boasts a team-best 24.9 PER and is leading the Celtics with 7.4 rebounds in only 21.6 minutes per game.  As King mentioned, Sully's shooting numbers are sure to drop, but hopefully his inspired play will continue.

For what it's worth, the fourth-year power forward is also saying all the right things lately:


Yes, we're only five games in, but it's been quite a turnaround for the embattled big man in the early goings of 2015-16.



Follow Mark Vandeusen on Twitter @LucidSportsFan