NBA: Ranking the Top 5 Breakout Players

No.4 – Jared Sullinger

Jarred Sullinger, the 21st overall selection in the 2012 draft made a significant statistical leap to a good rotational player in his second NBA season, finishing the year averaging 16.0 points per game on 42.7% shooting, grabbing 8.1 rebounds and dishing out 1.6 assists per game. This season he is establishing himself as a top-ten power forward in the NBA by averaging 16.0 points on , 8.4 rebounds, doubling his assist totals to 3.2 per game whilst cutting his turnovers in half.

Whilst Sullinger’s shot chart doesn’t show an appreciable change in attempts it does show a significant change in efficiency, particularly within three feet of the rim where the wide-bodied big man is converting 72.7% of his attempts, up from 59.9% last season. Sullinger has also improved his jumper, leading to an overall increase in TS% from 49.7% to 53.1%. The Celtics big man’s improved overall game has seen jumps in both his Win Shares Per 48 Minutes from .091 to 0.156 and his PER from 16.42 to 21.58 which ranks seventh among NBA power forwards playing at least 24 minutes per game.

Sullinger’s improvements are hardly empty calorie stats, the Celtics are +37 with him on the court and -44 with him off it. He has graduated from being a decent NBA starter to legitimate low post threat night in and night out.

Next: No.3