I'm really liking the combo of Bradley and Moore at the backup SG

[Potapenko Boxout]

this will be an interesting thread to reflect on in a couple of years, for sure.

Haven't even seen flashes from Avery personally. Lock down defender? Come on

[Chris]

this will be an interesting thread to reflect on in a couple of years, for sure.

Haven't even seen flashes from Avery personally. Lock down defender? Come on

The defense has been the most disappointing.  He has not figured out how to get past screens, and how to pressure without fouling.  And without the defense, he is useless at this point. 

[RyNye]

(This is more in defense of JJJ than it is of Avery ... I am still ambivalent about him)

Rookies always look a little lost in the NBA. John Wall was a runner up for Rookie of the Year, and he looked horrible on any play that wasn't him using just his pure athleticism. Hell, Lebron James still looks lost if you get him in the post against a stronger player.

[moiso]

E'Twaun Moore = Eat one more.  Best name in the nba!

[Snakehead]

If you haven't seen any flashes of defense from Bradley, you simply haven't been watching.

Again, in the Toronto game he was pushing Calderon out to half court.  He had Calderon defending the ball by putting his back to the basket every posession.  One play in particular Avery pushed Calderon out and had him wasting time until he finally bailed Calderon out by fouling but only because he was being so aggressive he tried to take the ball right out of his hands.  Stupid move, sure, but I like the intensity personally.  And you take that part of the play out, and he killed Toronto's entire posession by himself basically.


If you are going to be dissapointed in his offense, fine I really do understand that, but the defense is there and only needs some more polish and playing time to become refined.

There is a reason Ainge said Avery is the teams "best athletic perimeter defender" (the language is a little strange and that title is certainly Rondo's under that language anyways, but regardless you can see Ainge likes what he sees).

[Evantime34]

Someone mentioned JJJ, he actually looked like he could be a valuable defender against stretch fours and fives. I thought he guarded Bargnani very well.

I wish we could sign someone like JR. Smith or Stevenson so we don't have to rely on Moore or Bradley at the back up two.

[Potapenko Boxout]

If you haven't seen any flashes of defense from Bradley, you simply haven't been watching.

I don't really think any of us have been watching Avery Bradley enough to have a solid opinion.

[indeedproceed]

If you haven't seen any flashes of defense from Bradley, you simply haven't been watching.

Again, in the Toronto game he was pushing Calderon out to half court.  He had Calderon defending the ball by putting his back to the basket every posession.  One play in particular Avery pushed Calderon out and had him wasting time until he finally bailed Calderon out by fouling but only because he was being so aggressive he tried to take the ball right out of his hands.  Stupid move, sure, but I like the intensity personally.  And you take that part of the play out, and he killed Toronto's entire posession by himself basically.


If you are going to be dissapointed in his offense, fine I really do understand that, but the defense is there and only needs some more polish and playing time to become refined.

There is a reason Ainge said Avery is the teams "best athletic perimeter defender" (the language is a little strange and that title is certainly Rondo's under that language anyways, but regardless you can see Ainge likes what he sees).

When you say 'The Defense Is There, Just Needs Polish', I just can't agree. The right terminology is 'the potential is there, it just needs to be realized', and thats...a bit more iffy.

[Snakehead]

If you haven't seen any flashes of defense from Bradley, you simply haven't been watching.

I don't really think any of us have been watching Avery Bradley enough to have a solid opinion.

That's fair.  I personally have seen the defense from him and think he just needs more playing time and experience to hone that part of his game.

If we are going to say we need to see more of Avery though, let's also not throw him under the bus and say he is a bust please.

Ultimately, I judge Avery on what I have seen and assuming a progression further, and I value what Ainge has to say (and he has certainly seen Avery play much more than we have).  I don't think Ainge would say Avery was such a good defender if he was not, he doesn't seem to praise young players if they do not deserve it.

When you say 'The Defense Is There, Just Needs Polish', I just can't agree. The right terminology is 'the potential is there, it just needs to be realized', and thats...a bit more iffy.

Again fair, kind of a matter of how you want to phrase it.  Regardless, I've seen him playing quality D on the court.

Someone mentioned JJJ, he actually looked like he could be a valuable defender against stretch fours and fives. I thought he guarded Bargnani very well.

I wish we could sign someone like JR. Smith or Stevenson so we don't have to rely on Moore or Bradley at the back up two.

I am glad you brought this up.  I think JJJ did a nice job challenging Bargnani's shots and in help a few times.

Sure, he looked lost on O, but if he made that long jumper he took I think everyone would be singing his praises like they do Moore's all the sudden (not that I don't like Moore btw, just saying).

JJJ for me is all about the D and athleticism this year.  The O will come with time.  I actually also liked that aggressive take to the basket he had, even if it was an offensive foul (and a questionable one IMO).

[KGHurtYourFeelings]

AB plays good individual defense.  He can't run through a screen or switch though.  So I'm not even ready to say he's a decent defender.

Sure, he has potential, but he has shown me none of it.  Granted, he hasn't had much of an opportunity, but he clearly hasn't made enough of an impression on Doc or Danny Ainge to get any meaningful minutes.

That said, he's young and this will be his first camp.  Like somebody else said, I'd love for him to prove me wrong, but I'm not holding my breath.

[guava_wrench]

AB plays good individual defense.  He can't run through a screen or switch though.  So I'm not even ready to say he's a decent defender.

Sure, he has potential, but he has shown me none of it.  Granted, he hasn't had much of an opportunity, but he clearly hasn't made enough of an impression on Doc or Danny Ainge to get any meaningful minutes.

That said, he's young and this will be his first camp.  Like somebody else said, I'd love for him to prove me wrong, but I'm not holding my breath.

I've seen AB get around some picks quite deftly. Can't speak to his switching, especially when he is playing with guys who know the defense even less.

[bruinsandceltics]

I am shocked so many people are already writing a 21 year old, 2nd year player off.

I guess what they say about instant gratification is true. 

[TripleOT]

I am shocked so many people are already writing a 21 year old, 2nd year player off.

I guess what they say about instant gratification is true. 

Teams write off second year 21 year old players all the time when cutting their roster to 15.  Unfortunately,  they keep bums on 1st round rookie deals longer even if their production and talent level doesn't deserve them sticking, due to their guaranteed contracts. 

[KGHurtYourFeelings]

AB plays good individual defense.  He can't run through a screen or switch though.  So I'm not even ready to say he's a decent defender.

Sure, he has potential, but he has shown me none of it.  Granted, he hasn't had much of an opportunity, but he clearly hasn't made enough of an impression on Doc or Danny Ainge to get any meaningful minutes.

That said, he's young and this will be his first camp.  Like somebody else said, I'd love for him to prove me wrong, but I'm not holding my breath.

AB is starting to look like me might be an NBA player after all.  I enjoy being wrong.

Now, I'm not buying any posters after a couple of decent games, and I don't know if he'll every be a starter, but for the first time, I think he will last in this league.