How easy is it to replace Bradley?

[LilRip]

after watching the Mia-Ind game, i couldnt help but wonder how the C's would fare against the Heat. Predictably, i began comparing the Indy squad against our own and i homed in on a certain comparison:

Lance Stephenson and Avery Bradley.

Lance Stephenson was a previously unknown bench player whose only achievement was giving the Reggie Miller choke sign to Lebron last year. Now, he's contributing significant minutes on a contender. He plays with terrific hustle and energy, goes all out on defense, can score a little, really athletic, doesn't get intimidated and sometimes makes well-meaning plays that unfortunately hurts his team. In a way, he reminds me of Tony Allen. And in a way, he also reminds me of Avery Bradley.

Which got me to thinking, how valuable is Avery Bradley really? Don't get me wrong, i love AB coz I love players who love playing defense. But after seeing Lance Stephenson help and hurt his team, does that mean that AB is actually not as special or unique as we think he is? And if a fair deal comes along or something - trade value intact, poor playoff performance aside where he was asked to do too much - then we shouldn't hesitate to trade him because we'll be able to replace him with relative ease?

[Atzar]

Off the top of my head, there are two other players with a similar impact to Bradley:  Lance Stephenson and Eric Bledsoe.

Bradley is arguably the best and most disruptive defender of the three, but from what I've seen he's the lesser of the three players overall.  Bledsoe was a capable shooter from deep this season (though it's worth noting that his performance this year was far beyond either of his previous two years), and Stephenson is a solid slasher.  Bradley has yet to show that he can do either one consistently. 

He really, really needs to come back in the fall with some value on offense.  He's a guy you have to gameplan for on defense, but he hurts you on offense.

[GreenEnvy]

On offense? Very easy.

On defense? Very hard.


When he is locked in defensively, no guard is better. But I keep seeing images of Felton crushing us time after time to trust him completely.

His decision-making and ball handling are even more inconsistent.

I'd use him as trade bait.

[The Rondo Show]

Look at our defensive ratings when Bradley was out vs. when Bradley came back.

That is all

[syfy9]

Off the top of my head, there are two other players with a similar impact to Bradley:  Lance Stephenson and Eric Bledsoe.

Bradley is arguably the best and most disruptive defender of the three, but from what I've seen he's the lesser of the three players overall.  Bledsoe was a capable shooter from deep this season (though it's worth noting that his performance this year was far beyond either of his previous two years), and Stephenson is a solid slasher.  Bradley has yet to show that he can do either one consistently. 

He really, really needs to come back in the fall with some value on offense.  He's a guy you have to gameplan for on defense, but he hurts you on offense.

Bradley is an elite cutter, though. Better than either, and most of the league for that matter.

[Atzar]

Off the top of my head, there are two other players with a similar impact to Bradley:  Lance Stephenson and Eric Bledsoe.

Bradley is arguably the best and most disruptive defender of the three, but from what I've seen he's the lesser of the three players overall.  Bledsoe was a capable shooter from deep this season (though it's worth noting that his performance this year was far beyond either of his previous two years), and Stephenson is a solid slasher.  Bradley has yet to show that he can do either one consistently. 

He really, really needs to come back in the fall with some value on offense.  He's a guy you have to gameplan for on defense, but he hurts you on offense.

Bradley is an elite cutter, though. Better than either, and most of the league for that matter.

True, but he offsets that by missing way too many easy layups.

[D.o.s.]

Look at our defensive ratings when Bradley was out vs. when Bradley came back.

That is all

"Despite his individual defensive efforts, Boston's defensive rating actually remained nearly static with (100.3) or without (100.4) him. Bradley's postseason struggles contributed to the minus next to his mark."

"The Celtics were plus-26 when Bradley was off the court, but minus-44 when he was on it."
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4705075/report-card-avery-bradley-3

He's a phenomenal one-on-one small guard defender, and I like him a lot as a homedrafted and D-Leagued prospect who went from a perceived bust to a definite starter, but he's just too small to really be one of a kind.

[dasani]

Look at our defensive ratings when Bradley was out vs. when Bradley came back.

That is all

"Despite his individual defensive efforts, Boston's defensive rating actually remained nearly static with (100.3) or without (100.4) him. Bradley's postseason struggles contributed to the minus next to his mark."

"The Celtics were plus-26 when Bradley was off the court, but minus-44 when he was on it."
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4705075/report-card-avery-bradley-3

He's a phenomenal one-on-one small guard defender, and I like him a lot as a homedrafted and D-Leagued prospect who went from a perceived bust to a definite starter, but he's just too small to really be one of a kind.

Wow that's interesting. I wonder if he was playing hurt through the end. Regardless, being too small and the aggressive defender he is make him injury-prone. This lessens his value quite a bit.

[Celtics4ever]

Another SG won't bring the D, but another SG most likely could shoot and spread the floor, so suffer on one side and do well on another.   I think he is a one trick pony, defensive specialist.

I think Bledsoe is a better defender.   I didn't until I looked at their stats but afterwards, I was not so sure.

[LEHGOCELTICS]

PLEASE DANNY PLEASE

My second favorite player in the NBA