Water cooler topic from work today....hypothetical question only?!

[Assassin70]

This topic came up at the water cooler today with one of my buddies and I wanted your thoughts.

DISCLAIMER

Let me start by saying.  I know this is very very very very very very very very early!  (get the point now)

And yes the guy has played as much in the NBA as most of us have at this point (meaning 0mp as of now) plus for all, we all know he could be Marcus Banks 2.0.

So back to the point here is my 2 part question for my fellow Celtic fans.

1A. Do you guys think the Celts could start both Rondo and Bradley in the back court together (meaning in the future, not next year of course)?

1B. Do you think that in today's NBA a small back court like that Thomas/Dumars of the Bad Boys Pistons would work?

P.S.  Sorry if something like this has been posted before...thoughts please.

[Celtics18]

Yes, I think there's a very good chance that he can develop into a starter at the 2, despite being a bit on the short side for the position these days.

It's a valid question.  I'm sure Danny was hoping for this eventuality when he drafted him mid-first round.

 No need to be so apologetic about it.

[Neurotic Guy]

I realize that you are not saying Rondo is Isiah redux or Bradley is Dumars redux, however, they at least have to become the talent level equivalent of each of those players for it to have a chance.   Isiah would still be a top 50 of all-time if SI did their rankings today, and given Dumar's all-around excellence, he may be a top 50 all-time guy too.  Clearly one of, if not the best backcourt tandem of all-time. 

To your question: a backcourt like Thomas-Dumars could absolutely play in any era.  But, a small backcourt without all-around capabilities like Thomas-Dumars (including the fact that both could shoot, drive, handle, pass, run... and Dumars could play some fierce D) would have a rough go.

CAN that be Rondo-Bradley? I suppose, but I doubt it.

[JBcat]

I don't think it has to be Thomas/Dumars quality for it to work but Bradley would have to become pretty good.   If Bradley became good enough to start on a good team I would like a taller shooting guard backing him up that can stretch the floor.   Hey maybe Ray in 2 years

[Assassin70]

I realize that you are not saying Rondo is Isiah redux or Bradley is Dumars redux, however, they at least have to become the talent level equivalent of each of those players for it to have a chance.   Isiah would still be a top 50 of all-time if SI did their rankings today, and given Dumar's all-around excellence, he may be a top 50 all-time guy too.  Clearly one of, if not the best backcourt tandem of all-time. 

To your question: a backcourt like Thomas-Dumars could absolutely play in any era.  But, a small backcourt without all-around capabilities like Thomas-Dumars (including the fact that both could shoot, drive, handle, pass, run... and Dumars could play some fierce D) would have a rough go.

CAN that be Rondo-Bradley? I suppose, but I doubt it.

I just wanted to squash "that guy" from coming in and saying oh I cant believe you would compare them to an all time back court when he has never played.  Like I said...all this is just hypothetical.

I agree with what you said.

My whole thing on derailing my boy (who thinks Bradley is for real) was we all know Doc does not like to play rookies.

So Bradley is going to have to be the real deal in order to get any significant minutes at all this year unless we have an injury.

Only thing that scares me say he is legit borderline all star best case scenario.  Didnt the guys say on draft night he like Rondo is also a poor FT shooter?  That cannot be good for us 

[Snakehead]

Yeah I think it can work.  The thing is that both of them have long arms that allow them to cover larger players.  And I think with both of them playing together you'd have two great athletes and defenders who cause havoc in the passing lanes... it would be great to watch them.  Rondo would be the floor general and better getting to the rim, Bradley the better shooter.  Perhaps there are some matchups worse than others, but I think Bradley will be a guy capable of playing larger guys, similar to Tony Allen.

I think you can see small backcourts work in the recent NBA.  The Cavs were successful running the Mo/Delonte backcourt and that one doesn't have the long arms or defensive capabilities that this hypothetical Boston lineup would.  I think it'd be fine.

Trade for Andre Igoudala and play him at SF... that is one hell of a defensive and athletic 1-2-3.  Make sure you have the size inside to make up for the lack of it at SG and you are all set.

[Pistol Pete]

I think this could definitely work in the future. I feel  like the only reason people harp on players being too small for the position is because of their inability to play defense on the other side of the court. If someone is a little small for any given position and can still score/pass/rebound/whatever it may be, they definitely have a place in the NBA. However, that would only be a backup roll because they would get beat badly on the other side. It is different with Bradley though. They say he already has NBA defensive skills. He would have no problem defending bigger 2's. Once his offensive game evolves into that of an NBA player, I can not only picture this, I want this! I think it is what Danny foresaw for this team when he drafted him.

I have faith in Danny. While he has built a team for the "now" he is working on a team for the future... Like we say for Bill, maybe we can one day have the same faith in Ainge.