From NBADraft.net:
The Eastern Conference champs are in a serious state of flux. The Celts are in desperate need of an infusion of youth, which Avery Bradley will bring. He's the best perimeter defender in the draft, but a bit of a tweener (not a real point guard, not tall enough to play full-time 2-guard) and a lousy outside shooter.Much like teammate Rajon Rondo, he struggles at the free-throw line far too much for a guard. Still, Bradley is a terrific athlete and will earn minutes right away as a lockdown defender. A Rondo-Bradley backcourt immediately becomes the NBA's best perimeter-defensive tandem. Plus, he fills the Celtics quota for "guards with two first names" in case Ray Allen departs. -Nick Prevenas
Haha. Here's a snippet from nbadraft.net's profile of Bradley:
Bradley's biggest asset offensively is his ability to shoot from the outside ... He can hit from a catch and shoot position, and looks beyond comfortable pulling up off the dribble.
Draft express also had a lot of comments about what a good shooter he was with plenty of stats to back it up.
Gotta chime in on this... TP to Tim for beating me to it.
I saw a lot of Texas basketball this season, and I don't know where the idea of Bradley as a poor outside shooter proliferated. 37.5% from distance as a freshman is not terrible at all, and I can say with confidence I like the idea of him as a catch-and-shoot player if the Celtics go small at times with Rondo-Bradley-Pierce-Davis-Garnett. Also, this guy can flat out defend, reading passing lanes off the ball just as well as he defends on the ball. Also, everyone know that move Rondo has when a big on the other team grabs a defensive board and Rondo doubles back to strip him? That's an Avery Bradley speciality (for better or worse), but I personally like the pick very much. I'm a defense first guy, so this puts him just ahead of Anderson in my book. I hope they don't trade him.
well, i hope you are right on this one. i am glad ainge did not draft a tall player simply because the celtics need height. no one at all who was available at 19 would have helped the celtics out next year. indeed, it was a question whether any center at 19 would EVER have helped the celtics.
if you want a tall stiff, ainge already has the the turkish guy coming over.
if bradley really can shoot he is a steal at 19. his defense is outstanding already. with the celtics to teach him more defense he will be great.
i have not seen bradley play, but write ups seem to say that he can score, but not efficiently.
well, for better or for worse, ainge got someone who at least has a lot of upside....which at 19 is pretty good.
