Marla Ridenour: Former NBA players doubt OSU freshman Sullinger can pass up NBA Draft
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: Mar 08, 2011
NEW YORK:Steve Kerr spent 15 seasons as an NBA player and three more as general manager of the Phoenix Suns, so he should know a lottery pick when he sees one.
And he sees one in Ohio State freshman Jared Sullinger.
''If he didn't go in the top five, I'd be absolutely shocked,'' Kerr said. ''Especially this year. You look at the draft, it's not a great draft. I'm sorry to say that, Ohio State fans. Don't blame me if he leaves.''
The majority of former NBA players working for CBS Sports and Turner Broadcasting who took part in a March Madness media day Tuesday at Le Parker Meridien Hotel in New York aren't in favor of freshmen turning pro. This marks the first year the two networks will team to televise the NCAA Tournament, and hall of famer Charles Barkley said he's going to use this platform to rail against it.
''I'm going to be beating them in the head on TV,'' Barkley said. ''I hate the one-and-done thing. The NBA gets mad when I say it, the players' union, but they don't ever look at the big picture. You're giving me players in the NBA who aren't ready for the NBA.''
Reggie Miller, Len Elmore and Kerr shared Barkley's sentiments. But Ohio State alum Clark Kellogg said the only things that might keep Sullinger in Columbus would be an early ouster of the Buckeyes in the NCAA Tournament or problems arising from the June 30 expiration of the NBA's collective-bargaining agreement.
Kerr knows there will be too much money for Sullinger to pass up in the June 23 draft. And Kerr, a former Cavaliers guard, believes that Sullinger, who is listed as 6-foot-9 and 280 pounds, will be ''a really good pro.'' Named first-team All-Big Ten and freshman of the year Monday, Sullinger leads No. 1-ranked Ohio State in scoring (17.3) and rebounding (9.7).
''He's a little undersized height-wise, but he's got what we call a big base,'' Kerr said. ''He's got great hands and a nice touch around the basket. Zach Randolph [a 6-foot-9 forward for the Memphis Grizzlies] has been really successful; he can't jump and he's not that tall. Guys with basketball feel and size and hands and touch are always going to find a way to score, so he'll have no trouble scoring in the NBA.
''He's going to have his challenges at the defensive end. Like everybody else, when he plays against [Orlando's] Dwight Howard, he's going to have a tough time. But I think he's a really good prospect.''
Some might question whether Sullinger can play center in the NBA, but Kerr said putting him at power forward might create more problems.
''A lot of teams play a small four who shoots 3s. If teams are playing that way, he needs to be a five. I don't see him out on the perimeter chasing Channing Frye,'' Kerr said of the Suns' Frye. ''But if teams play that way, that opens up the floor and gives him more space to operate as a center. A big part of the game is shooting the ball from the perimeter at the big position, spacing the floor and giving yourself more options. As he improves that jump shot, I think it will allow him to be more effective.''
The consensus was Sullinger will have to hone his mid-range jumper to be successful as a pro.
''I've talked to pro scouts, they love his strength, his back to the basket, his IQ,'' said Kellogg, the eighth overall pick of the Indiana Pacers in 1982 who spent five years in the NBA. ''He can step out and shoot it better than people know. He's a reliable 15- to 17-foot shooter. He doesn't have to do that a lot because he's able to dominate.
''But his hands, his touch, his savvy, his strength, those are things that will allow him to be a productive and successful NBA player. He's got a nice array of moves. Excellent rebounder. Whether he'll be a star-star . . . I think he'll be a really good NBA player because he's still improving. I think he can still improve his body.''
Elmore, who is 6-foot-9, said he wasn't worried about Sullinger's height. Elmore, the 13th pick in the 1974 draft by the Washington Bullets who spent eight years in the NBA and two in the ABA, believes ''reach is most important.''
''But he has a savvy about him that's beyond his years,'' Elmore said. ''He knows how to use his body inside. He's very active, very competitive, good hands, nice touch around the basket. If he can step out and shoot a 12-footer to play the power forward spot, I think he's got a tremendous upside.''
Greg Anthony remembered a conversation he had with Buckeyes coach Thad Matta last year, when Anthony was the analyst for an OSU-Illinois game.
''He said, 'Greg, wait till you see this kid. He's the best player I ever recruited,' '' said Anthony, who won a national championship at UNLV and spent 12 years in the NBA. ''What he talked about, it's not just his physical ability, it's who he is that really resonates with his teammates. He's one of the guys. When you can be superstar-caliber but you're still one of the guys it makes them better because it develops trust and chemistry on the floor.
''He's a wonderful talent who's going to get better and he's a load. He's 6-7 or 6-8, but he has such girth. In basketball, that makes you taller. That's like having 2 more inches of height because that's that much further away the defender has to be from you. It creates space, which is ultimately what the game is all about.''
Miller, the 11th pick in the 1987 draft who retired in 2005 from the Indiana Pacers, was almost as offended as Barkley when asked about Sullinger's pro potential.
''Can't we enjoy him at Ohio State?'' Miller said. ''I would love for these young stars to stay in school.
''Does he have all the skills to potentially be a great NBA player? Yes. But I hope he stays. He has the body, but is the mind there?''
