Former Celtic Jared Sullinger still bleeds green
In an exclusive interview with CelticsBlog, Jared Sullinger, a former first-round draft pick, shared insights on how Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett played pivotal roles in shaping his professionalism. He delved into the profound impact they had on his career, emphasizing why he views himself as a Celtic for life. Additionally, Sullinger offered his prediction on the 2024 NBA championship, providing unique perspectives on the league's future.
Jared Sullinger glanced up at the energetic crowd and spotted a familiar sight – a fan proudly displaying his #7 Celtics jersey. It was a scene he’d witnessed many times, but this wasn’t 2015, and the venue wasn’t TD Garden. Just a few weeks ago, Sullinger found himself on the court for a Chinese Basketball Association game, adorned in his red Shenzhen Leopards jersey. Despite the change in uniform, the fans still associated him with the iconic Celtic green.
Every sighting of a Sullinger jersey in the stands serves as a reminder that, even though he’s moved on from his Boston playing days, he remains a Celtic at heart.
“The Celtics are a worldwide thing,” remarked Sullinger in an exclusive interview. “It’s not just in Massachusetts or in the United States — it’s been everywhere I’ve played. I played a year in South Korea, then five or six years in China. Celtics Nation is everywhere.”
Given his deep connection to the team – playing 258 games over four seasons – Sullinger still uses ‘we’ and ‘us’ when discussing the organization he considers one of the greatest in sports history.
Confident in the Celtics’ ability to secure Banner #18 in June, Sullinger expressed satisfaction with the team’s offseason moves. However, he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of emotion about the departure of his former teammate Marcus Smart, describing him as “the guy who would bring that spark every single day.”
