Doc Rivers Compliments Jared Sullinger, Calls Him 'Big Fat Guy Playing Basketball'

Hopefully the Celtics aren’t sensitive about their weight. Because Doc Rivers certainly doesn’t care.

The Celtics’ coach complimented rookie forward Jared Sullinger, and then called him fat. This backhanded compliment came after Sullinger had a career day on Christmas, going six-for-seven shooting with 16 points and seven rebounds.

“Jared was wonderful. He’s such a smart player. When you watch him, you don’t see rookie,” Rivers told the Boston Globe. “You just see a big fat guy playing basketball.”

Ouch, Doc. At 6-foot-9, 260 pounds, Sullinger is the heaviest player on the Celtics’ squad. Even heftier than 7-foot, 255-pound Jason Collins, 6-foot-11, 253-pound Kevin Garnett, 7-foot, 255-pound Fab Melo and 6-foot-10, 235-pound Chris Wilcox.

Sullinger has been a solid rookie for the Celtics, but he still hasn’t been getting consistent minutes over Brandon Bass or Jeff Green. He’s averaging 26.9 minutes per game, 5.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 0.52 blocks.

You’d think that with the Celtics beating the Nets 93-76, Sullinger would have put up most of his numbers in mop-up time, but Sullinger was strong in the first half, helping the Celtics mount a 56-42 lead.

Sullinger may just be a big fat guy to Rivers, but he’s actually lost weight since starring at Ohio State. Sullinger weighed 280 pounds in college.

That’s progress for the jolly big fat man. Hey, that sounds like Santa.

Photo of the Night

It was nice to see this guy smiling and practicing again.

Quote of the Night

“They’re dirty. They’ve always been a dirty team since I’ve been here. I don’t like them.”
—Henry Melton, not holding back about the Lions, who the Bears must beat to keep their playoff hopes alive