bradley, wafer, harangody in nets game

[Who]

Grande last night said he thought Bradley should be up in Maine. 

I think Gody's the one who is hurting for being down here.  But with three team members out injured of course they can't go anywhere.  But maybe in a couple of weeks they can dress JO again at least--and ship Gody up where he belongs.

Yeah, I like the idea of Bradley going to the D-League and getting more experience as a starting point guard. I think that would be good for him.

I see no value in Harangody playing in the D-League. He has enough game experience in college basketball. I don't think he'll learn much from it. Better off staying here with the Celtics and playing against NBA level athletes and defenders in practices.

I disagree.  I think there is a bid difference between college and the NBA...as much as between high school and college.  Can H. S. players make it to the NBA?  Certainly some have, Kg, Kobe, etc., but it is not common.  NBA is faster, players are larger, and the season is longer than college.

Yeah. I think people overestimate the competition level in college. The talent pool is incredibly diluted in college since the best players don't stay there and most players aren't even good enough to play professionally in decent leagues abroad.

Look at how the other bigs drafted this season are performing in the NBA. Hardly impressive, and many were drafted in the lottery. Gody wasn't even facing those top guys regularly.

I think the level of quality in the D-League is over-rated.

There are only two types of young players who I would send to the D-League (1) A tweener who is learning a new position (2) someone who is very raw, too raw to compete, and/or desperately needs game experience.

Someone like Harangody who is coming into the NBA with a clear skill-set and significant experience in the college ranks ... I just don't see him benefiting at all from a spell in the D-League.

I think he's best off sticking with the Celtics and learning from the big men and coaches here.

Edit: If there was more talent in the D-League, I would be all for sending more young players down there to develop. But there isn't and too many players, most players, that go down there show no benefit from their time there.

[CNYCeltsfan]

Another reason not to send people to the d league is practice.  Injuries are giving Harangody and bradley some decent game time but I bet they are getting even more practice time as the starters watch.  They will benefit from that more then they will playing horrible ball in the d league.

[guava_wrench]

Another reason not to send people to the d league is practice.  Injuries are giving Harangody and bradley some decent game time but I bet they are getting even more practice time as the starters watch.  They will benefit from that more then they will playing horrible ball in the d league.

This is why people get sent to the d-league on extended road trips. No time for practices, so they just end up playing 2-on-2's or shooting around before games.

[clover]

Grande last night said he thought Bradley should be up in Maine. 

I think Gody's the one who is hurting for being down here.  But with three team members out injured of course they can't go anywhere.  But maybe in a couple of weeks they can dress JO again at least--and ship Gody up where he belongs.

Yeah, I like the idea of Bradley going to the D-League and getting more experience as a starting point guard. I think that would be good for him.

I see no value in Harangody playing in the D-League. He has enough game experience in college basketball. I don't think he'll learn much from it. Better off staying here with the Celtics and playing against NBA level athletes and defenders in practices.

I disagree.  I think there is a bid difference between college and the NBA...as much as between high school and college.  Can H. S. players make it to the NBA?  Certainly some have, Kg, Kobe, etc., but it is not common.  NBA is faster, players are larger, and the season is longer than college.

Yeah. I think people overestimate the competition level in college. The talent pool is incredibly diluted in college since the best players don't stay there and most players aren't even good enough to play professionally in decent leagues abroad.

Look at how the other bigs drafted this season are performing in the NBA. Hardly impressive, and many were drafted in the lottery. Gody wasn't even facing those top guys regularly.

I think the level of quality in the D-League is over-rated.

There are only two types of young players who I would send to the D-League (1) A tweener who is learning a new position (2) someone who is very raw, too raw to compete, and/or desperately needs game experience.

Someone like Harangody who is coming into the NBA with a clear skill-set and significant experience in the college ranks ... I just don't see him benefiting at all from a spell in the D-League.

I think he's best off sticking with the Celtics and learning from the big men and coaches here.

Edit: If there was more talent in the D-League, I would be all for sending more young players down there to develop. But there isn't and too many players, most players, that go down there show no benefit from their time there.

The thing is we really need some minutes from Bradley with Delonte out.  Gody got his confidence shaken and won't get any meaningful time up here.  He'd be better off going to Portland and really incorporating some of what he's learned the last few months.

[2short]

The few d league games I saw last year (springfield) were bad.  Most of interesting play was really just guys getting stats.  Not good sound fundamentals which is what most guys need to stick with pro teams.   I would like to see bradley get some minutes while nate & rondo are hurt and delonte is out.  Just enough to help him grow, not kill his confidence and not hurt the team.  Luke or his brain aren't ready to understand the defensive rotations.

[guava_wrench]

Grande last night said he thought Bradley should be up in Maine. 

I think Gody's the one who is hurting for being down here.  But with three team members out injured of course they can't go anywhere.  But maybe in a couple of weeks they can dress JO again at least--and ship Gody up where he belongs.

Yeah, I like the idea of Bradley going to the D-League and getting more experience as a starting point guard. I think that would be good for him.

I see no value in Harangody playing in the D-League. He has enough game experience in college basketball. I don't think he'll learn much from it. Better off staying here with the Celtics and playing against NBA level athletes and defenders in practices.

I disagree.  I think there is a bid difference between college and the NBA...as much as between high school and college.  Can H. S. players make it to the NBA?  Certainly some have, Kg, Kobe, etc., but it is not common.  NBA is faster, players are larger, and the season is longer than college.

Yeah. I think people overestimate the competition level in college. The talent pool is incredibly diluted in college since the best players don't stay there and most players aren't even good enough to play professionally in decent leagues abroad.

Look at how the other bigs drafted this season are performing in the NBA. Hardly impressive, and many were drafted in the lottery. Gody wasn't even facing those top guys regularly.

I think the level of quality in the D-League is over-rated.

There are only two types of young players who I would send to the D-League (1) A tweener who is learning a new position (2) someone who is very raw, too raw to compete, and/or desperately needs game experience.

Someone like Harangody who is coming into the NBA with a clear skill-set and significant experience in the college ranks ... I just don't see him benefiting at all from a spell in the D-League.

I think he's best off sticking with the Celtics and learning from the big men and coaches here.

Edit: If there was more talent in the D-League, I would be all for sending more young players down there to develop. But there isn't and too many players, most players, that go down there show no benefit from their time there.

The thing is we really need some minutes from Bradley with Delonte out.  Gody got his confidence shaken and won't get any meaningful time up here.  He'd be better off going to Portland and really incorporating some of what he's learned the last few months.

How was Gody's confidence shaken? All reports have been that he has been the same since day one in practice -- rushing everything. He brought his problem with him. Ultimately, you can't protect a player from learning they are a marginal NBA player.

If confidence is the issue, why wouldn't the way to protect Bradley from losing confidence be not putting him into situations he isn't prepared for? Personally, I think he will be fine with spot minutes, especially in the first half where there is less pressure, but bringing up confidence really doesn't simply the analysis any.

[Bahku]

Could see a lot of this tomorrow night ... Big Baby is sick, Rondo and Shaq are questionable, and Nate may miss due to family matters. Luke played center at practice today, with Marquis, Ray and Paul at 1, 2 & 3, and Doc said he's never worked so much with strange lineups. Could be the perfect time for the young guys to step up, (I'd like to see more of Bradley anyway).

[Meadowlark_Scal]

As for Bradley, the only way to be an NBA player, is to play in the games, with the support of your coach and team. There is no way to simulate game time play....watching = no, practice...helps a little...but you aren't practicing  vs people who will hack you, push you, hands on you and in your face...maybe more dirt too, and you still have to do your thing with and without the ball...play the guys, or trade them...especially now, it is the first half of the season, which is the BEST time to get younger players seasoned, and with our injuries, it is also the perfect time to let these guys play, with the pro's.....Bradley, with kg, ray and pp....he'll get it, just don't pull him everytime he makes a mistake.....everyone makes mistakes..!

[thirstyboots18]

I would really like to see Luke back up Paul, but it should be interesting to see him at center.  What ever he gives at any postion should be considered gravy, even if it is "just" minutes.   I am still hoping Harangody proves all the detractors wrong and proves to be a capable NBA player, who can play some defense.  Let's see if that "nose for the ball" can get us some rebounds. Now would be the perfect time to get him some real minutes...early in the season when we can see who can be counted on without too much damage.  We may need some of these guys late, and need them to experience playing time against NBA players so that they won't be lost (overwhelmed).   

It is always nice to get a win, and I think we can win this one, even shorthanded, but I would like to see the end of the bench pick up quality time.

[BballTim]

but you aren't practicing  vs people who will hack you, push you, hands on you and in your face...maybe more dirt too

  Not now, but Delonte will recover soon enough...

[guava_wrench]

As for Bradley, the only way to be an NBA player, is to play in the games, with the support of your coach and team. There is no way to simulate game time play....watching = no, practice...helps a little...but you aren't practicing  vs people who will hack you, push you, hands on you and in your face...maybe more dirt too, and you still have to do your thing with and without the ball...play the guys, or trade them...especially now, it is the first half of the season, which is the BEST time to get younger players seasoned, and with our injuries, it is also the perfect time to let these guys play, with the pro's.....Bradley, with kg, ray and pp....he'll get it, just don't pull him everytime he makes a mistake.....everyone makes mistakes..!

Again, your generalizations are not true. There are plenty of players who came into the league young, weren't used much early on, but because quality players.

You speak in absolutes even though reality shows us many examples that contradict your generalizations. Please stop pretending to know how to develop NBA players. Your opinion that he should be played more is a valid opinion (and has already begun to happen), but it does not follow necessarily from the evidence.

Let's just relax and see if Doc continues to use Bradley more. Ultimately, 2-guard is a position where we have depth this season so preparing Bradley for this season isn't actually a big deal. But health issues right now probably mean he will get minutes tonight.

[Chris]

But health issues right now probably mean he will get minutes tonight.

I wouldn't count on it.  Unless someone else goes down, or there is foul trouble, they will likely go with the 5 man perimeter rotation of Nate, Ray, Pierce, Daniels, and Wafer. 

From the little I have seen from Bradley, he clearly has a long way to go before he understands the system well enough for Doc to feel comfortable putting him out there barring absolutely no other choice (and Doc considers playing Pierce, Allen, and Nate 42 minutes each a reasonable choice).

[Celtics18]

But health issues right now probably mean he will get minutes tonight.

I wouldn't count on it.  Unless someone else goes down, or there is foul trouble, they will likely go with the 5 man perimeter rotation of Nate, Ray, Pierce, Daniels, and Wafer. 

From the little I have seen from Bradley, he clearly has a long way to go before he understands the system well enough for Doc to feel comfortable putting him out there barring absolutely no other choice (and Doc considers playing Pierce, Allen, and Nate 42 minutes each a reasonable choice).

Bradley played meaningful minutes in the Nets game, and was praised by Doc after the game for his performance.  I absolutely expect Avery to get some court time again tonight against Denver. 

[clover]

but you aren't practicing  vs people who will hack you, push you, hands on you and in your face...maybe more dirt too

  Not now, but Delonte will recover soon enough...

TP!

[clover]

But health issues right now probably mean he will get minutes tonight.

I wouldn't count on it.  Unless someone else goes down, or there is foul trouble, they will likely go with the 5 man perimeter rotation of Nate, Ray, Pierce, Daniels, and Wafer. 

From the little I have seen from Bradley, he clearly has a long way to go before he understands the system well enough for Doc to feel comfortable putting him out there barring absolutely no other choice (and Doc considers playing Pierce, Allen, and Nate 42 minutes each a reasonable choice).

I don't think Bradley plays unless Nate is out, the C's pull way ahead, or the other bench guys all down on defense and Doc just wants a few stops and renewed defensive energy.

But that's quite a few 'unlesses'--he's got a reasonable chance to play.

What I really don't understand is how they can have a guy like Nate on the team for a year and have him still not know most of the plays.  Couldn't they get some sort of assistant to put together clinics with some scrubinis, just to get the plays drilled into guys like Nate (or Bradley, though I know he's been hurt)?