Avery Bradley... DPOY?

[tonyto3690]

The Celtics were middle of the pack in defensive rating.  Bradley returned, and even with him not being in game shape and not playing a real game in months, the Celtics immediately reversed their defensive intensity and have been the 2nd best rated defense in the NBA since then.

Bradley is ranked #1 in the NBA in points per play.
Bradley is ranked #1 in allowed FG%
Bradley is ranked #1 in % of possessions scored on (by a large margin)

I don't have exact numbers but the Celtics were putrid at defending the 3 in the beginning of the season (pre-Bradley)
The Celtics are currently ranked #2 in the NBA at defending the 3 point shot now (post-Bradley)

He doesn't have the big name, and I'm sure some big name guy with flashy stats such as blocks will get it.  But I think it's about time we start realizing what we have in Bradley.  We all know his defense is great, but he is by far the best perimeter defender in the NBA and is able to give a full court press entire games by himself.  That is just absurd.


In my book, DPOY.

[kozlodoev]

The Celtics were middle of the pack in defensive rating.  Bradley returned, and even with him not being in game shape and not playing a real game in months, the Celtics immediately reversed their defensive intensity and have been the 2nd best rated defense in the NBA since then.

Bradley is ranked #1 in the NBA in points per play.
Bradley is ranked #1 in allowed FG%
Bradley is ranked #1 in % of possessions scored on (by a large margin)

I don't have exact numbers but the Celtics were putrid at defending the 3 in the beginning of the season (pre-Bradley)
The Celtics are currently ranked #2 in the NBA at defending the 3 point shot now (post-Bradley)

He doesn't have the big name, and I'm sure some big name guy with flashy stats such as blocks will get it.  But I think it's about time we start realizing what we have in Bradley.  We all know his defense is great, but he is by far the best perimeter defender in the NBA and is able to give a full court press entire games by himself.  That is just absurd.


In my book, DPOY.

Not going to happen with a player who missed half a season, and is a narrow defensive specialist playing the perimeter.

Also there is the question about who he's really guarding -- and on the balance, the PGs in the East are not exactly a scary lot (as compared to someone who has to lace them up against the top scoring swing players in the NBA).

[dinome18]

Gerald Henderson 35pts and Jeff Teague 26pts...I don't think so

[CelticG1]

I'd be shocked if he didn't get first team.

Even last year he probably played less and if I remember correctly was still getting votes for second team.

He's definitely on peoples radars at this point especially highlighted with after rondo went down bradley back, focus was on us trending downward but our defense picked it way up

[ianboyextreme]

The Celtics were middle of the pack in defensive rating.  Bradley returned, and even with him not being in game shape and not playing a real game in months, the Celtics immediately reversed their defensive intensity and have been the 2nd best rated defense in the NBA since then.

Bradley is ranked #1 in the NBA in points per play.
Bradley is ranked #1 in allowed FG%
Bradley is ranked #1 in % of possessions scored on (by a large margin)

I don't have exact numbers but the Celtics were putrid at defending the 3 in the beginning of the season (pre-Bradley)
The Celtics are currently ranked #2 in the NBA at defending the 3 point shot now (post-Bradley)

He doesn't have the big name, and I'm sure some big name guy with flashy stats such as blocks will get it.  But I think it's about time we start realizing what we have in Bradley.  We all know his defense is great, but he is by far the best perimeter defender in the NBA and is able to give a full court press entire games by himself.  That is just absurd.


In my book, DPOY.

Not going to happen with a player who missed half a season, and is a narrow defensive specialist playing the perimeter.

Also there is the question about who he's really guarding -- and on the balance, the PGs in the East are not exactly a scary lot (as compared to someone who has to lace them up against the top scoring swing players in the NBA).

I understand trying to play the contrarian, but sometimes you really just sound like a senile old man.

This isnt baseball, we have played plenty of west teams and he has shut down Curry, Harden, Westbrook, etc.

[PhoSita]

It's worth noting that the United States system is far from the strict definition of democracy.

[KGs Knee]

I'd be willing to make some friendly wagers he won't win, so anyone who thinks otherwise, send your propositions my way.

Now, whether he should win or not, it's not as clear.  He's easily the best defender in the league, by position.  However, defensive bigs, or wings, are generally incrementally more valuable, as they have a greater overall effect on the game.  Also, the fact Bradley has only played 2/3 of the season has to count against him.  Basically, I just don't see his overall contribution being enough, but, he does deserve to be in the conversation.

He absolutely deserves to be All-defense 1st team, though.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I really think our fans and the outsiders underestimate Bradley's value to the team... Doc said that people don't really know what Bradley does for us (don't have the exact quote but it was recent and not the first time). He just recently compared his impact defensively to Pippen! I mean, RR was SLOBBERING over AB in a full article when AB was out. You have people telling the guy he doesn't have to go so hard all the time... when have you EVER heard of that? Really, tell me when you heard of PRO ballers (not just one either), ask a guy to ease up?? "Not never!"

No one is going to shut down the opposition every night, things like fatigue and any other number of reasons come into play but MOST games AB puts the clamps down and if his guy is scoring they aren't doing it easily and/or they're doing so at the expense of their TEAM!

Another thing, AB wasn't on Henderson... Lee/Jet was. Once someone is allowed to get hot, there is nothing much you can do, just call it their day and move on! This is much like the mistake people continue making by claiming AB was guarding Irving when he put 40 on us... that was RR! Even the 40 Kyrie gave RR is just a guy having a great game... it's not like he gets done up every game for 40pts!

Heck, post game interviews are rarely done with anyone besides KG or PP (other guys every now and then)... but somehow mostly every time, AB's defense is brought up. If I was everyone I would get tired of hearing it but I guess they don't get tired of hearing it b/c they (Doc) usually bring it up without being asked!

[vgulab]

Gerald Henderson 35pts and Jeff Teague 26pts...I don't think so

he wasn't on Henderson. Lee and Terry were on Henderson, Bradley was guarding Kemba Walker

[LooseCannon]

I'd be willing to make some friendly wagers he won't win, so anyone who thinks otherwise, send your propositions my way.

If I set the over/under for first-place votes at 0.5, do you take the over or the under?

[Smokeeye123]

The Celtics were middle of the pack in defensive rating.  Bradley returned, and even with him not being in game shape and not playing a real game in months, the Celtics immediately reversed their defensive intensity and have been the 2nd best rated defense in the NBA since then.

Bradley is ranked #1 in the NBA in points per play.
Bradley is ranked #1 in allowed FG%
Bradley is ranked #1 in % of possessions scored on (by a large margin)

I don't have exact numbers but the Celtics were putrid at defending the 3 in the beginning of the season (pre-Bradley)
The Celtics are currently ranked #2 in the NBA at defending the 3 point shot now (post-Bradley)

He doesn't have the big name, and I'm sure some big name guy with flashy stats such as blocks will get it.  But I think it's about time we start realizing what we have in Bradley.  We all know his defense is great, but he is by far the best perimeter defender in the NBA and is able to give a full court press entire games by himself.  That is just absurd.


In my book, DPOY.

Not going to happen with a player who missed half a season, and is a narrow defensive specialist playing the perimeter.

Also there is the question about who he's really guarding -- and on the balance, the PGs in the East are not exactly a scary lot (as compared to someone who has to lace them up against the top scoring swing players in the NBA).

I agree, however I think in 1-3 years barring any health problems. He will be in the conversation. PG defenders don't get DPOY...It is usually reserved for PF and C's.

[CelticConcourse]

If he played the whole season, yea sure. But because he missed so much, even I wouldn't vote him as first.

[tonyto3690]

Gerald Henderson 35pts and Jeff Teague 26pts...I don't think so

Henderson is a swingman 2-3.  I don't think Bradley has guarded him once in any part of any of the three games.  You have no idea what you're talking about.

Teague is an allstar guard.  Sometimes Bradley has an off night.  HE was also battling an injury for a while I'm certain of it as he was very mediocre (by his standards) for a stretch including that Hawks game.

[dinome18]

In what league is Teague an all-star, the ACC?