Can someone explain to me why Bradley, Pavlovic, and JO are on this team?

[thirstyboots18]

In 1997 the Celtics drafted Chauncey Billips.  Rick Pitino tried him at point guard, decided he didn't have a future at point guard, switched him to shooting guard and then traded him for Kenny Anderson.   The rest is history, and I have not yet forgiven Pitino.     Give the kid a chance.  He may not work out, but he has shown good skills...defensive skills.

[LooseCannon]

Ideally, I would love for Bradley to be sent to the D-League to play as a shooting guard next to a decent point guard with instructions to chuck a ton of shots to learn to extend his range and figure out his favorite spots on the floor so that he can be a catch-and-shoot, three-and-D 2 guard. 

Last season, injuries (to himself, Rondo, and Delonte West) prevented that from being an option.  This season, the compressed schedule, salary constraints, and need for warm bodies prevents that from being an option.  I've suggested DeShawn Stevenson, a guy who lots of people wanted to see as a Celtic this season, as someone whose development arc might be similar to what Bradley might go through.

If Ray Allen ever gets injured and has to miss a few games, I might want to see Bradley start at shooting guard without necessarily getting the most minutes at the position.

[Moranis]

Avery Bradley is going to be a very good player in this league & he should be playing in front of E'Twann. With consistent minutes (gaining confidence) we'll find out we have a hidden gem....... On another note I'm sure had Dwayne Wade had played 1 year at Marquette & come into the NBA he would look awful & lost also. He stayed 4yrs. and became a finished product. Our product isn't finish yet & I'm willing to wait 2yrs. The equivalent of his Sr. Year in college. And in no way am I saying he is Wade, I'm just saying Wade would of had the same struggles as Avery is having. It took awhile for Wade (his JR. year) to be Wade in college.

Wade played 2 seasons in college.  He missed his entire freshman year as a Prop 48, played his sophomore and junior years and then declared for the draft.

[CFAN38]

he was a high risk high reward pick, he really didnt get to show much last year. The way i see it the Cs want to get him exposure to turn him into a trade chip. If he can show potential then the Cs have Avery and two 1st round picks this year to start the rebuild with. If avery could ever find a way to average 8pts a game and play meaningful minutes this season the Cs could sell other teams on his potential. I dont ever really see a Rondo + Avery back court developing into our future starting tandem.

[dtrader]

I am not sold on Avery Bradley yet either, but IMO he is on the team because it takes longer to develop Centers and Point Guards, and because it is harder to teach defense than offense and he already has the defensive skills.

But even Doc has said, that it was a mistake trying to have Bradley play point.  He's not a point guard.  He's an off guard.  They only made him try to play point, because he doesnt have the size to play the 2 in the NBA.  He's a shooting guard thats too short to guard shooting guards =/

 I dont think it's harder to teach defense at all.  Offensive is skill. Defense is athleticism and effort.  Great defenders dont learn to be that...they just are.  I doubt theres ever been an elite defender that wasn't bigger, stronger, faster, or jump higher than his opponent.  Thats what makes a great defender.  Bradley had the athleticism to succeed in college, but he doesnt have the skills or size to do it against pros.

[OttawaCeltic]

So true.... so true....

[Chris]

The short answer here is that he has a guaranteed contract.  But he also has shown just enough growth for them not to cut him loose, and to give him a shot to continue to improve.

I am not optimistic about his chances in the NBA, but he does have exceptional physical tools, and a motor on defense.  While that would not be enough to keep him on, if he didn't have a guaranteed deal, given his contract situation it is enough to give him one more chance to prove himself.  We will see if his option gets picked up for next year.

[xmuscularghandix]

You guys are obnoxious... this forum has turned into a complete joke.

[PosImpos]

Defense is athleticism and effort.  Great defenders dont learn to be that...they just are.  I doubt theres ever been an elite defender that wasn't bigger, stronger, faster, or jump higher than his opponent. 

um . . . dude, are you saying that Bruce Bowen and Shane Battier are / were great defenders because they were bigger and could jump higher than the guys they guard?  how about Chuck Hayes, another great, undersized, unathletic defender?

being a good to great defender does not require exceptional size and athleticism, although those two things certainly help.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Defense is footwork and discipline.

[LooseCannon]

The way i see it the Cs want to get him exposure to turn him into a trade chip.

If the Celtics play him and he shows potential, then the Celtics may be better off keeping him rather than trading him.  If the Celtics play him and he doesn't show potential, he has less value as a trade chip.  If the Celtics don't play him, he remains a pig in a poke in terms of trade value.

[action781]

In short:

Because we're contractually obligated to pay him $3M over the next 2 seasons.

[P2]

When Pietrus and Pierce come back and Quisy is relegated to the 2, Bradley won't see much time.

I honestly don't think Daniels is gonna play the 2, because Pietrus will do so.

[coco]

ABradley is Tony Allen with less offense, less hops and shorter.  Better attitude thou.  

....just saying.

[Celtics18]

When Pietrus and Pierce come back and Quisy is relegated to the 2, Bradley won't see much time.

I honestly don't think Daniels is gonna play the 2, because Pietrus will do so.

I don't think so.  I believe that Pietrus is more suited to playing the 3 with Marquis at the shooting guard spot.  Daniels isn't a bad defender, but Pietrus, while not taller, is a much more physical guy who will have a better chance of not getting over powered by guys like James and Anthony.