Celtics Fans, say hello to Avery Bradley!

[twinbree]

Welcome and good luck to Avery. I expect him to go the way of our other rookie guards the past couple of seasons but I hope he can buck the trend and become a solid contributor to our rotation in the future.

[Brendan]

Avery isn't a three point threat, but he is an offensive threat - mid range in, and good enough to handle the rock. If Tony had a solid mid range J or could handle the ball on attack - he'd be capable of starting. But he's an offensive liability now. If they think Bradley is a rotation guy next year (which is a lot to go from HS to college to 9 man rotation on the runner up team) then I'd say this indicates a total revamp of the bench.

More likely they see this guy taking a year or so to develop and become a Delonte West type guy (enough handle to run PG, not enough passing vision to be the floor general type, good enough D and scoring ability to play SG) - either a cheap role player or trade asset down the line. Danny is restocking the cabinet.

Why not take a SF with size or a big? Probably because the guys left stink in DA's opinion (and yes he'll be wrong about some of them.) So I'd guess he plans to get another small forward and two bigs using Sheed's retiring contract, MLE, and/or vet minimum and then run essentially the same team out. Longer chance that he might also trade BBD and/or Perk, or S&T Tony Allen or Nate Robinson.

[Brendan]

Here's what Hollinger's ratings said about Avery:

A couple of highly touted guards, Avery Bradley and Willie Warren, also failed to impress. Bradley can at least take solace in his one-and-done status -- the error rate has been higher for those players. And as a defensive specialist, his PER might not matter much anyway.

Draft Rater Duds:
Rank 45 - Avery Bradley - Texas - 10.42 (projected PER)

Here's how his system rated Rajon Rondo (another misused guy that Danny liked):

Rank 1 - Rudy Gay 15.19
Rank 2 - Rajon Rondo 14.65
Rank 3 - Shawne Williams 14.64
Rank 4 - Brandon Roy 13.88

Here's how his system rated Delonte West

Rank 5 - Delonte West    12.83

But what scares me is how it rated Gabe Pruitt - another guy who had Delonte West combo guard (he changed the numbers after the first year):

The two USC guys look like total busts. There have been players to make the NBA with scores lower than those of Gabe Pruitt and Nick Young, and a couple of them even turned out to be halfway decent. But many more of the players who scored that low had disappointing pro careers, so clearly this is not the way to bet.

Truth be told, Pruitt and Young both have major red flags to overcome. Pruitt's rebound rate of 4.9 is shockingly bad for a 6-4 guard alleged to have above-par athleticism, and he just didn't do much of anything else to set himself apart from the countless other guards trying to play their way into the league.

Rank -33   Gabe Pruitt     USC     421.0     21

[ManUp]

I'm surprised that so many people are so low on the guy. He's not a great fit with us, but he was clearly the BPA. From some of the reactions I'd think we just drafted a d-leaguer with the 19th. Most mock drafts had him going in the lotto this is no scrub.

[Fafnir]

I'm surprised that so many people are so low on the guy. He's not a great fit with us, but he was clearly the BPA. From some of the reactions I'd think we just drafted a d-leaguer with the 19th. This is a high-upside pick that's ready to contribute now.

I haven't seen him play at all, I don't really know what to think at the moment.

[ToppersBsktball10]

Basically, he's very athletic. He was probably a top 3 perimeter defender in college last year and he can run the floor. Staying in college would have helped so much though. He can get to the rim and shoot the mid range shot, but not really a 3 point game.

[mafalda.vamos]

Hello,Avery!
You're a lucky young fellow
Hope you a have a great experience in this team.

[Beat LA]

I'll take him.

I doubt he'll be missing any dunks anytime soon.

Also he looks like he'll bring some energy and some much needed scoring in the paint area.

Okay, everyone needs to stop talking like Hubie Brown noser - even Tommy has started referring to the paint as "the painted area."  Brown acts like he invented the game, always kisses the behinds of LeBron, Kobe, and Wade (but so do the other former/current Knicks employees) and I, quite frankly, find his commentary to be a little condescending at times.
 
Anyway, Bradley was the BPA, although I think that we should have purchased a later first rounder and taken Stephenson, due to the fact that he can play the 1,2, and 3, but whatever.  Looks like he has great potential, and hopefully now we can get rid of Tony. 

On the other hand, I'm not going to get too excited until I see him getting consistent minutes during the year (and not brief bouts of 30 seconds at the end of halves/quarters).  Didn't Danny also say that Giddens had tremendous defensive potential?  Even if this kid is a great player - Doc will never play him (one of the things that I don't like about Doc).  Soooooooo frustrating.

[Jeff]

looks like we'll have to wait to say "hi" to him till training camp - see front page news about surgery on his ankle

[tcelt]

what is the deal with danny getting guys with injuries

[dpaps]

I think Avery Bradley has SUPERSTAR potential, I like the pick a lot. If he can defend the two, a backcourt of him and Rondo could be fantastic in the future.

[Atzar]

I'll take him.

I doubt he'll be missing any dunks anytime soon.

Also he looks like he'll bring some energy and some much needed scoring in the paint area.

Okay, everyone needs to stop talking like Hubie Brown noser - even Tommy has started referring to the paint as "the painted area."  Brown acts like he invented the game, always kisses the behinds of LeBron, Kobe, and Wade (but so do the other former/current Knicks employees) and I, quite frankly, find his commentary to be a little condescending at times.
 
Anyway, Bradley was the BPA, although I think that we should have purchased a later first rounder and taken Stephenson, due to the fact that he can play the 1,2, and 3, but whatever.  Looks like he has great potential, and hopefully now we can get rid of Tony. 

On the other hand, I'm not going to get too excited until I see him getting consistent minutes during the year (and not brief bouts of 30 seconds at the end of halves/quarters).  Didn't Danny also say that Giddens had tremendous defensive potential?  Even if this kid is a great player - Doc will never play him (one of the things that I don't like about Doc).  Soooooooo frustrating.

In fairness to Bradley, Danny was one of the few who thought Giddens could contribute defensively right away.  The consensus is that Bradley is the best defensive player in this draft.  There's a huge difference there.

[Chris]

I'll take him.

I doubt he'll be missing any dunks anytime soon.

Also he looks like he'll bring some energy and some much needed scoring in the paint area.

Okay, everyone needs to stop talking like Hubie Brown noser - even Tommy has started referring to the paint as "the painted area."  Brown acts like he invented the game, always kisses the behinds of LeBron, Kobe, and Wade (but so do the other former/current Knicks employees) and I, quite frankly, find his commentary to be a little condescending at times.
 
Anyway, Bradley was the BPA, although I think that we should have purchased a later first rounder and taken Stephenson, due to the fact that he can play the 1,2, and 3, but whatever.  Looks like he has great potential, and hopefully now we can get rid of Tony. 

On the other hand, I'm not going to get too excited until I see him getting consistent minutes during the year (and not brief bouts of 30 seconds at the end of halves/quarters).  Didn't Danny also say that Giddens had tremendous defensive potential?  Even if this kid is a great player - Doc will never play him (one of the things that I don't like about Doc).  Soooooooo frustrating.

In fairness to Bradley, Danny was one of the few who thought Giddens could contribute defensively right away.  The consensus is that Bradley is the best defensive player in this draft.  There's a huge difference there.

And I am not even sure if Danny really thought that, or if it was just spin.  Really, there are no similarities between this pick and the Giddens pick.  Bradley was a guy who slid out of the lottery into the C's hands, while Giddens was a guy project to go late second round to undrafted that he reached for.  That should tell you enough to know that they are not comparable.

[Mr October]

looks like we'll have to wait to say "hi" to him till training camp - see front page news about surgery on his ankle

Thats too bad. I was looking forward to hearing about him lighting up a bunch of scrubs in summer camps.

[Jon]

I think Avery Bradley has SUPERSTAR potential, I like the pick a lot. If he can defend the two, a backcourt of him and Rondo could be fantastic in the future.

I don't know enough to go that far, but it does speak measures that he was ranked higher than John Wall coming out of high school only one year ago.  

The Celtics need a game changer off the bench, regardless of skillset.  And I think he can do that, playing both behind and alongside Rondo.  Remember, he's only an inch shorter than Tony Allen and has a huge wingspan.