On Monday, the NBA named Boston Celtics’ second-year big man Jared Sullinger the Eastern Conference Player of the week.
"Sullinger helped the Celtics to a 2-1 week, which included wins over the Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings. He averaged 20.3 points (13th in the conference), 12.7 rebounds (second in the conference) and 1.67 blocks (fourth in the conference). Sullinger posted a point-rebound double-double in all three games, including a 31-point, 16-rebound effort on Feb. 7, when the Celtics topped the Kings 99-89 at TD Garden.Feb. 5 @ Philadelphia: Collected 19 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in a 114-108 win over the 76ers.Feb. 7 vs. Sacramento: Tallied 31 points and 16 rebounds during a 99-89 win over the Kings.Feb. 9 vs. Dallas: Notched his third double-double of the week (and fifth consecutive) with 11 points and 12 rebounds in a 102-91 loss to the Mavericks."
Sullinger was plagued by injuries during his first season in the NBA and was limited to just 45 games and five starts.
This season, Sullinger has played in 50 of the Celtics’ 52 games, including 37 starts. He’s upped his averages from 6.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game to 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
The other nominees for the week were Mason Plumlee of the Brooklyn Nets, David West of the Indiana Pacers, Al Jefferson of the Charlotte Bobcats, Brandon Jennings and Josh Smith of the Detroit Pistons and Victor Oladipo of the Orlando Magic.