Avery can't play

[Fafnir]

BTW...another one of Danny's draftees just got cut.

Gabe Pruitt cut by Orlando Magic.

Happens a lot with 2nd round picks.

[Fafnir]

Blah, Blah, Blah......Moore played 4 years in college and Bradley didn't. Stop the pontification please.

This is a warning, don't be so dismissive of other posters, or we'll take further action.

[ssspence]

I would certainly rather have gilbert brown on the team than bradley. he has no NBA position. he's marcus banks without a handle.  

You seriously watched the preseason game yesterday and came to that conclusion?

God bless you.

Yes. Yes I did.

Take a look at the rest of my quote. I've seen Gil play a number of times. He goes hard to the basket and has excellent defensive tools that can be developed.

It simply doesn't excite me that much that Bradley can full court press Jarryd Bayless, who is a shooting guard. I really never understood drafting him in the first place -- i'd've taken James Anderson. Regardless, Brown has a much better shot at being a NBA rotation player than Bradley, in my opinion, not that i really believe that either will be this year, if ever.

[LooseCannon]

Some players take longer to develop.  It's ridiculous to expect different human beings to proceed equally.  Some young players can step in right away.  Some are projects.  Bradley is a project.  He's been delayed by injury, a shortened pre-season, and an attempt to make him something he is not (a point guard).

People who say that Bradley has no chance of becoming productive probably thought that Pitino was right to trade Chauncey Billups back in the day.

[Evantime34]

John Hollinger respects Bradley's defense.

@stflo87 c's have no center or backup guardsand pick them to finish third

@johnhollinger dooling & Bradley would be best 2 perimeter defenders on NY.

[birdman33]

A good quick defender, needs to work a lot on his offensive game

[clover]

John Hollinger respects Bradley's defense.

@stflo87 c's have no center or backup guardsand pick them to finish third

@johnhollinger dooling & Bradley would be best 2 perimeter defenders on NY.

I'd say that latter tweet is [dang]ing with faint praise.

[elcotte]

Blah, Blah, Blah......Moore played 4 years in college and Bradley didn't. Stop the pontification please.

This is a warning, don't be so dismissive of other posters, or we'll take further action.

My apologies.

[Snakehead]

I would certainly rather have gilbert brown on the team than bradley. he has no NBA position. he's marcus banks without a handle.   

You seriously watched the preseason game yesterday and came to that conclusion?

God bless you.

Yes. Yes I did.

Take a look at the rest of my quote. I've seen Gil play a number of times. He goes hard to the basket and has excellent defensive tools that can be developed.

It simply doesn't excite me that much that Bradley can full court press Jarryd Bayless, who is a shooting guard. I really never understood drafting him in the first place -- i'd've taken James Anderson. Regardless, Brown has a much better shot at being a NBA rotation player than Bradley, in my opinion, not that i really believe that either will be this year, if ever.

The Marcus Banks comparison?  Please.

As for the rest, actually Bradley also disrupted Calderon as well, who regardless of his issues can handle and  pass the ball.  He picked the pocket of Bargnani quite easily (good handles for a big) and Raptors guards and forwards alike, again, right out of the pocket where they are comfortable with the ball. 

I do not see how Gilbert Brown has more defensive potential than Avery Bradley, to me that is a very puzzling statement.  If we're going to talk about offense, how about that ugly brick Brown threw off the backboard/iron?  At least Avery's missed jumpers were in and out or just off the rim.  He made some shots and hit a nice looking three.

Again, I hope to revisit this period of so many calling Bradley a bust when he has has a TA-esque role in the league (and potentially better offensively), if not with the C's then with another team.

[snively]

i would absolutely love to see anyone on this site at 21 years old have the mental fortitude to play at the NBA level and not have to shake off some nerves. Youre criticizing a kid for god sakes.  He plays absolutely phenomenal defense. He will always have a place in this league if his defense stays where its at.  Look at Tony Allen all he does is play defense and slash.  We missed him sorely last year and Memphis loves him being there.  Incredible that youre going to write this kid off after 2 preseason games where he looked miles better than he did at any point last year.

Crazy argument, as if hundreds of other 21y.o. haven't been able to do it! So, are you saying b/c we can't do it we are not allowed to comment on someone else? Spare me! Like I said before, I won't give up someone on a team I root for no matter how they play but I'm not going to see roses at all times either! I HOPE AB becomes credible on O b/c that D is looking very nice, it has his entire (short) career! If AB was playing on say, the lakers, the same guys on here saying he is young (or this or that) would be saying how glad you are that the lakers pick was looking so bad on O, you would probably be calling him a bust (even w/ the really good D)!!!

Find me these HUNDREDS of other 21 year olds who were drafted at 19, missed their first summer workouts, missed their first training camp, and first half of the regular season due to a severe ankle injury. Then the following season theres a lockout that keeps players from participating in team workouts and gives them a rushed two week training camp and 2 preseason games.  You find me these HUNDREDS of successful 21 year old kids and ill give you a tommy point.

I'm not concerned about him being "successful" - that's not really the point.

The point is that a rookie 2nd round pick has basically passed him up on the depth chart.  Avery needs to be better than the competition he's facing, and he's proving he's not cutting it.

It's not about what the other 19 years olds are doing...it's about what his teammates are doing, and he's falling behind because he's not a PG, but he owns a PG body.

I sure hope that Moore has passed him on the depth chart.  He played 4 years of college to Avery's one.  Never missed significant time in college. And played overseas where he played extremely well.  If Moore came to the team and wasnt more mentally prepared to make the jump to NBA ball i would be very worried about Moores future in the league.

If we can admit that Moore already looks more promising than Bradley, then whats the point of having Bradley?  Moore is already looking solid on both sides of the ball, and playing with confidence.  If there are only so many minutes to go around, and Moore is at this point more deserving of them, why keep Bradley?  The TA comparisons aren't really accurate, cuz TA is a lo bigger than Bradley.  Bradley is listed at 6'1 or 6'2, bu he looks WAY smaller than Moore on the court, so I think his height is closer to 6'.  I see no reason to keep around a 6' tall defensive specialist, that can't run point.

Check out the official measurements at Draft Express if you doubt his listed height.  Avery's 6'3 in shoes.  Moore is 6'4. 

And I would definitely disagree that Moore looks more promising than Bradley.  His offensive game is much better developed from what we've seen so far (better handle, better court vision, more poise, more accurate jump shot), but there are still quite a few reasons to be more optimistic about Bradley's development.  Athleticism, defensive tenacity and a strong jump shooting track record outside the NBA.

[mmmmm]

i would absolutely love to see anyone on this site at 21 years old have the mental fortitude to play at the NBA level and not have to shake off some nerves. Youre criticizing a kid for god sakes.  He plays absolutely phenomenal defense. He will always have a place in this league if his defense stays where its at.  Look at Tony Allen all he does is play defense and slash.  We missed him sorely last year and Memphis loves him being there.  Incredible that youre going to write this kid off after 2 preseason games where he looked miles better than he did at any point last year.

Yeah, but keep in mind that most folks on here think they could do a better job at GMing than Danny Ainge, that Bill Belichick is a hack, and that Terry Francona was a joke.

TP'ed for truth.

[kgiessler]

If we can admit that Moore already looks more promising than Bradley, then whats the point of having Bradley? 

Are you honestly trying to make the argument why have two potentially good players when you can have one?  What is the benefit in getting rid of him that you perceive?

Opening a roster spot for a quality vet min back up SF, and saving money.  Either of those would be good, but we could probably achieve both at the same time if we dropped him.  And I'm not trying to make the argument for "why have 2 when we can have 1".  I don't think Bradley has much potential. 

I'm saying, that even for the people who DO think he has potential, what are he reasons for keeping him if Moore has MORE potential (and current ability).  They play the same position, but Moore is substantially bigger, and so far appears to be more capable.  With Dooling already entrenched as backup PG, Marquis as backup SG, and no legit backup SF, I dont see the point of keeping both players.  They can't both get adequate minutes to develop, and the biggest issue with our bench is scoring...which appears to come more naturally to Moore.

That's my argument.  Thoughts?

I'll agree that even with only a tiny bit of play time to judge the two of them on, Moore appears better. 

That being said, AB remains the youngest player on the team, by 20 months.  His rookie season was thrown off kilter by an injury and he's only seen 162 minutes of play. 

I'm under the impression that MD will be used as a backup SF more, especially considering he was the starter in the prior game.  He was also playing SF last season.  That means the SF currently has 4 players, the deepest on the depth chart: PP, MD, SP, and GB.  GB is a full 3 years older than AB.  I just don't think there is a potential for a breakout year for him, and if anyone should be cut its him.

Meanwhile, SG is 3 players deep, RA, EM, and AB.  Cut AB and it becomes only two deep.  While RA has managed to stay healthy, he's the oldest player on the team. I don't think it makes sense to have the oldest player only have one player behind him on the depth chart.

I personally think AB can end up growing in trade value this year more so than GB and if there is anyone this team doesn't need, its him.

Your analysis of our position needs assumes 1.- Gilbert Brown makes the team...which I highly doubt he will, and 2. -Marquis Daniels primarily backs up SF...which I dont think he will.

Daniels is "capable" at playing short stints at SF against smaller SFs, but he is too light to guard any legit SF.  The main reason he got substantial time there last game, was because Pavlovic was out, and Pierce is hurt.  So really the fact that he had to start as our SF is a sign of exactly how thin we are at SF.  Basically I see our depth at SF, as Pierce (nursing an injury), and then Sasha.

At SG, we have Ray (who hasnt been injured), Daniels, Moore and Dooling (who has played both guard positions his whole career).  That is more than enough.  Add in the fact that AB at 6' is at a size disadvantage guarding any SGs, and he really becomes out of place.

Gilbert Brown isnt even in the conversation...he will not be on the team.

My analysis was in response to your position of getting rid of AB to open up a spot for SF.

If you don't think GB is making the team, then there is a roster spot open, and your reason for eliminating AB is nonexistent. So again, what benefit do you perceive in getting rid of AB?

[mmmmm]

I think Danny signs a vet to the 15th slot fairly quickly.  GS, JJ and EM all play like keepers.

Then if AB is still struggling after the 1st 2 months of the season, he's at risk of getting cut for another vet come March 1.

He might be more likely to hang on if the team struggles and Danny blows it up by moving some expiring contracts.

There is pretty much zero chance Bradley ever gets cut just to make roster room.  He might get traded.  But he will not get cut.  His contract is guaranteed and we already have an open spot on the roster (since right now it doesn't look like Sampson, Sweetney or Brown will make the roster.).

[bbd24]

I think Danny signs a vet to the 15th slot fairly quickly.  GS, JJ and EM all play like keepers.

Then if AB is still struggling after the 1st 2 months of the season, he's at risk of getting cut for another vet come March 1.

He might be more likely to hang on if the team struggles and Danny blows it up by moving some expiring contracts.

There is pretty much zero chance Bradley ever gets cut just to make roster room.  He might get traded.  But he will not get cut.  His contract is guaranteed and we already have an open spot on the roster (since right now it doesn't look like Sampson, Sweetney or Brown will make the roster.).

Also, you don't cut a 21 year old who comes out early and has talent.  You develop him.

[Evantime34]

i would absolutely love to see anyone on this site at 21 years old have the mental fortitude to play at the NBA level and not have to shake off some nerves. Youre criticizing a kid for god sakes.  He plays absolutely phenomenal defense. He will always have a place in this league if his defense stays where its at.  Look at Tony Allen all he does is play defense and slash.  We missed him sorely last year and Memphis loves him being there.  Incredible that youre going to write this kid off after 2 preseason games where he looked miles better than he did at any point last year.

Crazy argument, as if hundreds of other 21y.o. haven't been able to do it! So, are you saying b/c we can't do it we are not allowed to comment on someone else? Spare me! Like I said before, I won't give up someone on a team I root for no matter how they play but I'm not going to see roses at all times either! I HOPE AB becomes credible on O b/c that D is looking very nice, it has his entire (short) career! If AB was playing on say, the lakers, the same guys on here saying he is young (or this or that) would be saying how glad you are that the lakers pick was looking so bad on O, you would probably be calling him a bust (even w/ the really good D)!!!

Find me these HUNDREDS of other 21 year olds who were drafted at 19, missed their first summer workouts, missed their first training camp, and first half of the regular season due to a severe ankle injury. Then the following season theres a lockout that keeps players from participating in team workouts and gives them a rushed two week training camp and 2 preseason games.  You find me these HUNDREDS of successful 21 year old kids and ill give you a tommy point.

I'm not concerned about him being "successful" - that's not really the point.

The point is that a rookie 2nd round pick has basically passed him up on the depth chart.  Avery needs to be better than the competition he's facing, and he's proving he's not cutting it.

It's not about what the other 19 years olds are doing...it's about what his teammates are doing, and he's falling behind because he's not a PG, but he owns a PG body.

I sure hope that Moore has passed him on the depth chart.  He played 4 years of college to Avery's one.  Never missed significant time in college. And played overseas where he played extremely well.  If Moore came to the team and wasnt more mentally prepared to make the jump to NBA ball i would be very worried about Moores future in the league.

If we can admit that Moore already looks more promising than Bradley, then whats the point of having Bradley?  Moore is already looking solid on both sides of the ball, and playing with confidence.  If there are only so many minutes to go around, and Moore is at this point more deserving of them, why keep Bradley?  The TA comparisons aren't really accurate, cuz TA is a lo bigger than Bradley.  Bradley is listed at 6'1 or 6'2, bu he looks WAY smaller than Moore on the court, so I think his height is closer to 6'.  I see no reason to keep around a 6' tall defensive specialist, that can't run point.

Check out the official measurements at Draft Express if you doubt his listed height.  Avery's 6'3 in shoes.  Moore is 6'4. 

And I would definitely disagree that Moore looks more promising than Bradley.  His offensive game is much better developed from what we've seen so far (better handle, better court vision, more poise, more accurate jump shot), but there are still quite a few reasons to be more optimistic about Bradley's development.  Athleticism, defensive tenacity and a strong jump shooting track record outside the NBA.

I personally feel that Moore looks more ready now but Bradley has more upside. Since skills are easier to learn than athletecism.