Avery Bradley: "I Love Playing Under Danny Ainge"

[LooseCannon]

He's a young player who is an established starter and still has untapped potential to be significantly better than he was last season.  It's a good contract if you believe he will realize that potential and a bad contract if you think he won't.  Players his age get paid based on what GMs think they will become, not what they have done so far.

[Snakehead]

Oh great, so this board is going to give Avery the Jeff Green treatment.  Any conversation: WELL HE'S OVERPAID.

You guys need to look at contracts around the league.  He isn't overpaid.  He's already been good, improving, and is still very young.  He's only 23.  His best years are to come.

[GreenWarrior]

I don't hate AB's contract. I think Ainge figures this things going to take at least 3 yrs. to turn around and by that time Bradley will be a tradable commodity.

what I don't like is hearing about his offense being improved and no talk of his defense at all. in fact I don't recall his defense getting talked about much, if any. it really seemed like AB's D suffered at the expense of his "improved offense". I think AB will always be a formidable man defender but I expected more out of his D last yr.

his "improved offense" is a farce imo. he's taking bad shots most of the time. when he's making them it's great, when he's not we look really bad.

i'd really like to see him take these 17' pull up jumpers when the shot clock is running out and not when it's at 23.     

[D.o.s.]

His defense certainly took a hit last season -- but it's an unavoidable byproduct of playing more minutes and being featured in a larger part of the team's offense.

I think the contract is fine.

[Fred Roberts]

When the New York media and fans started calling him "Average Bradley" during the playoff series, it kinda rang true. He wasn't playing well.

That said, we've seen enough flashes that I'm happy Danny kept him around. I think Stevens will better utilize his strengths going forward.

At 23, he's got a number of years of prime athleticism left. If he gets the ball handing and injuries in control, he'll be a good to great piece for us.

[TheTruthFot18]

I am sure I'd also love playing for a guy who just overpaid me.

I feel like he'd be more inclined to say that during contract talks so I like it.

[Clench123]

His defense certainly took a hit last season -- but it's an unavoidable byproduct of playing more minutes and being featured in a larger part of the team's offense.

I think the contract is fine.

I read couple of articles that says Brad Stevens wanted him to ease up on defensive full court press.  I don't know how true that is though

[D.o.s.]

I'm almost positive it is. Doc was using Avery in a very specific way -- 20 minutes of hard, hard defense on the opposing ballhandler. Stevens relies on Bradley to do a lot more within his offense, and doesn't have the luxury of watching Bradley use up all his energy on D.

[mgent]

Avery has said himself that he's been told to calm down his defense.  Not just his full-court press, everywhere on the court.  And not so he can save energy for offense, it's because his over-pressing on the perimeter has a habit of getting him out of position, and shows his opponent an angle for penetration.

His messing with the ball-handler is awesome in spurts, but I think the coaching staff would prefer him to focus on keeping his man in front of him.

[Csfan1984]

I hope AB cuts down on the turn overs and continues a little more improvement across the board.

And enough with the overpaid. It's today's NBA market. At 23 years old 15/3/1 on 44fg% C's pay 8 million per for 4 years. If he is at 17/5/3, 46 fg% next year he is bargain. Just compare him to some notable 30 year old and under contracts signed this year.

28 year old Lowry, 18/5/7 and 43 fg% paid $12 million.
24 Hayward, 16/5/5 and 41 fg% paid $15.7  million 4 years
23 Stephenson, 14/7/5 and 49 fg% paid $9 million 3 years.
30 Gortat, 13/10/1 and 54 fg% paid $12 million 5 years.
22 Irving,  21/6/4 and 43 fg% paid $18 million* 5 years.
26 Hawes, 14/8/2 and 46 fg% paid $5.6 million 4 years.
28 Livingston, 8/3/3 and 48 fg% paid $5.5 million 4 years.
25 Parsons, 16/4/5 and 47 fg% paid $15.4 million 3 years

Stephenson and AB are the bargains but we know Lance brings a little crazy with the package. So enough with the, "he is overpaid" whining.

[Clench123]

I'm almost positive it is. Doc was using Avery in a very specific way -- 20 minutes of hard, hard defense on the opposing ballhandler. Stevens relies on Bradley to do a lot more within his offense, and doesn't have the luxury of watching Bradley use up all his energy on D.

Right

[SportsCanuck]

He's a young player who is an established starter and still has untapped potential to be significantly better than he was last season.  It's a good contract if you believe he will realize that potential and a bad contract if you think he won't.  Players his age get paid based on what GMs think they will become, not what they have done so far.

I agree, I think he will continue to grow as an overall better player. As I said previous, 80% from the line and 15 ppg aren't terrible numbers, obviously those aren't LeBron or Durant stats but I think he will continue to contribute.

[Chris22]

Oh great, so this board is going to give Avery the Jeff Green treatment.  Any conversation: WELL HE'S OVERPAID.

You guys need to look at contracts around the league.  He isn't overpaid.  He's already been good, improving, and is still very young.  He's only 23.  His best years are to come.

Bradley is a backup 2 guard on a good team.

He is way overpaid.

[Csfan1984]

Oh great, so this board is going to give Avery the Jeff Green treatment.  Any conversation: WELL HE'S OVERPAID.

You guys need to look at contracts around the league.  He isn't overpaid.  He's already been good, improving, and is still very young.  He's only 23.  His best years are to come.

Bradley is a backup 2 guard on a good team.

As is Ginobili who got $39 million over three years at 33 and now at 37 got $14.5 million over two years.
As was Gordon at 26 signed for $58 million five years.
As was Terry at 29 signed $58 million 6 years.
As was Crawford when 25 signed for 55 million 7 years. And has complained over recent years of being underpaid when signing with injury concern at 5.5 million per.

AB ain't overpaid as a good defender and average shooter he is getting his worth. Even off bench like guys above he can easily still give you 14 points in under 30 minutes of play which makes him a solid 5th option or elite six-man. Hell you can even compare numbers and minutes played and you can see a AB along with the other guys above have been similar. So play for pay no matter what role you believe he should have is fair.

[Snottie Drippen]

I am sure I'd also love playing for a guy who just overpaid for me.

Not really sure if Avery was overpaid to be honest. 80% from the line and close to 15 points per game, those are good numbers.

1st time poster, completely agree. 8 mil/yr is very fair for a starter/3rd guard, just wrote about it here:

http://hoopshabit.com/2014/08/26/boston-celtics-price-right-avery-bradley/