Who is the better comparison for Avery Bradley, Westbrook or Ellis?

[LooseCannon]

In looking at internet postings about the Celtics' first-round draft pick, Avery Bradley, there are two NBA players who he is compared to when describing his upside.

Some say that Bradley is a point guard and has the tools to become a PG with a game similar to Russell Westbrook.  Others say that Bradley is an under-sized shooting guard whose best-case scenario is turning into something like Monta Ellis with worse offense and better defense.

So, who is a better comparison for Bradley's talents, Westbrook or Ellis?

[PosImpos]

I think it's a little silly to try to compare a 19th pick that hasn't played a game in the NBA yet to a 25 ppg scorer and one of the best (and most athletic) young pgs in the league.

We should be happy if Avery turns out to be Tony Allen with a more reliable jumpshot.  That would be a steal at #19.

[birdwatcher]

Yeah, but who's the best comparison for his downside--marcus banks?

[snively]

In looking at internet postings about the Celtics' first-round draft pick, Avery Bradley, there are two NBA players who he is compared to when describing his upside.

Some say that Bradley is a point guard and has the tools to become a PG with a game similar to Russell Westbrook.  Others say that Bradley is an under-sized shooting guard whose best-case scenario is turning into something like Monta Ellis with worse offense and better defense.

So, who is a better comparison for Bradley's talents, Westbrook or Ellis?

Russ Westbrook and Avery Bradley have essentially the same body (and they put up very similar per-minute numbers in the frosh campaigns), but I don't think Bradley has that relentless attack mentality that has helped Westbrook succeed as an NBA point guard despite his lack of polish as a playmaker.

[snively]

Yeah, but who's the best comparison for his downside--marcus banks?

I'd say Gabe Pruitt. 

[LooseCannon]

I think it's a little silly to try to compare a 19th pick that hasn't played a game in the NBA yet to a 25 ppg scorer and one of the best (and most athletic) young pgs in the league.

We should be happy if Avery turns out to be Tony Allen with a more reliable jumpshot.  That would be a steal at #19.

Let's rephrase the question.  What should Avery Bradley aspire to be: the next Russell Westbrook, the next Monta Ellis, or the rich man's Tony Allen?

I'm not claiming that Bradley will turn out to be as good as Westbrook or Ellis, I'm just wondering which direction he is best suited for.

[snively]

I think it's a little silly to try to compare a 19th pick that hasn't played a game in the NBA yet to a 25 ppg scorer and one of the best (and most athletic) young pgs in the league.

We should be happy if Avery turns out to be Tony Allen with a more reliable jumpshot.  That would be a steal at #19.

Let's rephrase the question.  What should Avery Bradley aspire to be: the next Russell Westbrook, the next Monta Ellis, or the rich man's Tony Allen?

I'm not claiming that Bradley will turn out to be as good as Westbrook or Ellis, I'm just wondering which direction he is best suited for.

Westbrook's the better player, so I would say him.

[ManUp]

The Westbrook comparison doesn't fit. The only thing they have in common is size and Athleticism. Westbrook is a slasher and Bradley is jumpshooter, I think a poor man's Ellis fits better.

[Rondo_is_better]

The Westbrook comparison doesn't fit. The only thing they have in common is size and Athleticism. Westbrook is a slasher and Bradley is jumpshooter, I think a poor man's Ellis fits better.

I thought the whole knock on Bradley was that he couldn't shoot? His highlights are all dunks and slashing plays:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh52bpbfEGQ

[xmuscularghandix]

Yeah, but who's the best comparison for his downside--marcus banks?

I'd say Gabe Pruitt. 

I’d say Tony Allen with a more reliable jumpshot.

[nickagneta]

I've been saying that Bradley's situation has been most like that of Russell Westbrook, being a PG that had to play SG in college but would then be switched back to PG once he got to the NBA.

That said, I don't think his game is anything like either player. He's a good catch and shoot mid range player. He's okay at taking his mid range shot off the dribble. He is okay at taking his man off the dribble but is most dangerous in transition. He is a pretty good passer and, of course, his defense is stellar.

Believe it or not I see his game eventually developing into more of a Chauncey Billups type player with better defense.

[jr_3421]

I thought the whole knock on Bradley was that he couldn't shoot? His highlights are all dunks and slashing plays:

Quite the opposite. Coming out of high school, he was considered to have the best mid-range game in the country. People are mislead by his horrible FT%.

I've been saying that Bradley's situation has been most like that of Russell Westbrook, being a PG that had to play SG in college but would then be switched back to PG once he got to the NBA.

If I remember correctly, Avery played significant minutes at PG at Texas. He still averaged an underwhelming number of assists.

I predict that Bradley will excel more at the SG position, so I guess he will be more like Monta Ellis. The key will be if he can play GREAT defense on SGs.

[nickagneta]

I thought the whole knock on Bradley was that he couldn't shoot? His highlights are all dunks and slashing plays:

Quite the opposite. Coming out of high school, he was considered to have the best mid-range game in the country. People are mislead by his horrible FT%.

I've been saying that Bradley's situation has been most like that of Russell Westbrook, being a PG that had to play SG in college but would then be switched back to PG once he got to the NBA.

If I remember correctly, Avery played significant minutes at PG at Texas. He still averaged an underwhelming number of assists.

This is wrong. Dogus Balbay did most of the ball handling and play making in the half court sets. When he came out Justin Mason and Jai Lucas took over that role. Rick Barnes was constantly throwing 2 to 3 PG type players out there at a time but you had to pay attention to who was actually running the offense and that, almost of the time, was not Bradley. I saw a game at the end of the year where Barnes trotted out Bradley, Lucas and J'Covan Brown as his starters with Bradley basically playing the SF position. It was baffling.

[Andy Jick]

This thread is funny...

I'll say Kelvin Upshaw...

[jr_3421]

I thought the whole knock on Bradley was that he couldn't shoot? His highlights are all dunks and slashing plays:

Quite the opposite. Coming out of high school, he was considered to have the best mid-range game in the country. People are mislead by his horrible FT%.

I've been saying that Bradley's situation has been most like that of Russell Westbrook, being a PG that had to play SG in college but would then be switched back to PG once he got to the NBA.

If I remember correctly, Avery played significant minutes at PG at Texas. He still averaged an underwhelming number of assists.

This is wrong. Dogus Balbay did most of the ball handling and play making in the half court sets. When he came out Justin Mason and Jai Lucas took over that role. Rick Barnes was constantly throwing 2 to 3 PG type players out there at a time but you had to pay attention to who was actually running the offense and that, almost of the time, was not Bradley. I saw a game at the end of the year where Barnes trotted out Bradley, Lucas and J'Covan Brown as his starters with Bradley basically playing the SF position. It was baffling.

Ok but I still say that bradley's future is either going to be a very good back up PG, or a starting SG. It all depends on how well he can defend SGs.