Bass takes Sullinger’s spot in starting lineup

Brandon Bass embraced the starting role, but he didn't want to receive it because of a someone else's misfortune.

Bass was moved back into the starting lineup after rookie Jared Sullinger underwent season-endinglumbar disc (back) surgeryon Friday. Sullinger had replaced Bass in the starting power forward spot the previous two contests, including Wednesday when he left the game with back spasms.

This isn't how Bass wanted to return to the starting lineup, though. He wanted to earn it.

"I don't want somebody going down to be the reason for something," he told CSNNE.com. "I just want to continue to build on what I'm doing."

Bass is averaging 7.5 point and 4.8 rebounds this season. He says the entire team will have to step up to fill the void Sullinger left behind, especially on the glass. The 20 year old was averaging 6.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, and was one of the Celtics most aggressive rebounders.

"Sully hit the boards hard," said Bass. "The past three weeks, he started to be a game changer as far as rebounding. That's what we'll miss, that's where everybody will have to continue to improve as far as being on the glass."

Now the Celtics are left to play through the absence of two of teammates. Rajon Rondo suffered a season-ending ACL injury last week.