Is the "he just needs to learn to shoot the corner three" suggestion really some sort of off-the-wall sage advice people are surprised by?
It's not like Simmons came up with this out of the blue. At least since Bruce Bowen, any time there seems to be an all-defense, no-offense wing or guard, the advice is "teach him the corner three, and he'll be a useful player". I'm surprised people are surprised by this; it's pretty much common sense.
What is perhaps surprising is that Bradley has become so good, so quickly at shooting that shot.
EDIT: I mean, here's an exchange from January where three CelticsBloggers are all talking about Bradley developing the corner three:
He can sit in the corner and generally not get in the way -- much like Tony Allen did for a large bulk of his time with the Celtics.
Bradley might have the skill to develop a shot from the corner, unlike TA. It may take a couple of years before he learns to nail it often enough to be a three-and-D role player, though.
Agreed. Saw him hit a nice three in the preseason I think it was. If he added that corner 3 he would become Bruce Bowen esque.
Here's another one, almost word for word what Simmons said:
If he could somehow develop some passing proficiency at knocking down the corner three, he'd become a productive rotation player.
And yet another one, from December:
If he ever has to play in a game, I teach him to shoot the spot-up corner three. Get over half court and go stand in a corner. Shoot it if you get it.
Bam.
Teaching defensive players to shoot the corner three is common sense.