Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger is out for the remainder of the season, due to a left foot fracture. And he better get himself in better shape.
Celtics president Danny Ainge basically called Sullinger fat during his weekly sports radio chat Thursday.
Sullinger will be heading into the final year of his rookie deal next season.
Per 98.5 the Sports Hub (via the Boston Globe):
“Jared and I have talked a lot about [his conditioning] over the past year,” Ainge said. “It’s something we take great pride in with our players. Our players have really bought in to our program and a lot of guys – I think every guy has met the goals that they have set in regards to strength and conditioning, and body-fat, and weight, and all the different things our strength coaches do on a regular basis. Jared just hasn’t met his goals.
“He’s not up to the standards that he wants, and is not up to the standards that we think are in his best interests for the long-term health of his career. He’s not up to par to the standards that we feel are necessary to be a consistent winning player and play with great conditioning.”
“I got in better shape [last summer], but there’s another level to it,” Sullinger told reporters. “There’s always another level to everything. I just have to take it to another level. This year I came back in a little bit better shape. Obviously, it wasn’t good enough. Now I just have to get back to the grit and grind, kind of break my body down just to build it back up. I think that’s what I’m going to do this summer.”
