Avery Bradley Is Getting Better!

[ThaPreacher]

Avery Bradley:

Initially, I thought that Boston fans were unfair with Bradley.
It seemed as though he wasn't going to get a fair chance.
Then, I started to think that they were right: he was overrated by Ainge and Rivers, at best he was a D-League Player.
Watching him in several games now, I have changed my mind again.
I think he is a nightmare for opposing guards.
On defense: He reaks havoc!   He hustles!  He is a gamechanger.
And I think that he is is starting to find his role on this team on offense as a a facilitator.  He moves the ball.
i think that he is only going to get better!
What do you guys think?

[fairweatherfan]

Love the last couple games by Bradley.  He mostly looked lost in games before now, but he's really blossoming with the extra minutes.

Time will tell if it holds up but I think we can confirm he's no Giddens or Pruitt at least.  Kid's got potential.

[cman88]

young players need playing time to improve..and I think the more avery plays the better he will get..he could end up being a real nice backup PG

the same reason I think Jajuan johnson needs more playing time and he could develop into a nice contributer

[CelticSooner]

He finally looks comfortable. No more deer in the headlights look from him. His defense was always pretty good but his offense may be coming around.

I also think it helps that he is playing with the starters instead of the bench.

[bopna]

All he needs is a decent jumper...say like gary payton and i will start him over Ray.

His defense is already like that of a starter.. He just really needs to polish his shooting ang ball handles..

[MVP]

Definitely he's much improved from last year. Rondo being out these past 3 games and Bradley getting the big minutes has given him a boost of confidence which he has been missing. He still is pretty raw. He rarely uses the left hand to dribble or pass. But his improvement so far this season is encouraging given the fact that I, and most others, thought he was a bust after last season. Hopefully he continues to improve as the season goes along and wreaks hevoc defensively on a consistent basis - have a Lindsey Hunter type effect by playing full court defense whenever he's out there.

[cman88]

a reliable jumpshot would do wonders for bradley..but to be honest, I would rather Bradley not take jumpers...look at his speed, that kid is going to be able to blow by most defenders and get into the lane....why waste it staying on the perimeter

[Atzar]

Avery just had his first postgame interview on NBA TV.  Liked his responses... seems like a good, earnest kid.  I hope he keeps this up, because he's fun to root for.

[raynman]

So, can we trade him for Mayo or McGee, now?
Just playin..  

[ThaPreacher]

All he needs is a decent jumper...say like gary payton and i will start him over Ray.

His defense is already like that of a starter.. He just really needs to polish his shooting ang ball handles..

His defense was so tight I saw him pop out of Jameer Nelson's jock strap!  In the words of Ricky Bobby: "Shake N' Bake!"

[pearljammer10]

Never though I wouls come around to saying it, but the kid is making the most of his minutes... He is still atrcious for the most part on the offensive end but he can be a real spark plug on defense. Glad to see him playing well because I had totally written him off.

[MBunge]

Young players have to play in order to get better.  Bradley did some good things against Washington, but he was also 1-8 with 6 turnovers. The important thing, though, is that he played extended minutes.  That's the only way young players can get comfortable and eventually produce.

Mike

[gar]

Still a poor man's Tony Allen; but plenty of room to grow.

[PosImpos]

I think it was David Thorpe who said that playing time is like mana of the Gods to young players.

A player like Avery, who has all kinds of potential and athletic ability but is still working out how to play the game, needs it more than anybody else.

I think JJJ will similarly benefit from lots of playing time (and weight room time).

Avery might never be better than an average player on the offensive end, he seems to have all the tools to be an amazing on ball defender.  I think a reasonable expectation would be for him to become a smaller Tony Allen / Ronnie Brewer type player.

[dtrader]

He's played a good couple of games, but he hasnt shown himself to be any different from before really.  He's made less stupid mental mistakes, and played more within his limits, but he hasnt improved skill wise.

The bad...He still doesnt have a reliable (or confident) jumpshot, he's still prone to getting blocked, he's still not a good (nevermind great) passer, and he still hasn't shown an ability to consistently run plays and create in the halfcourt.  Maybe most importantly though...he still doesnt have a position (IMO).  He isnt a good enough dribbler or passer to consistently and successfully run an offense, and he doesnt have the size to consistently guard opposing shooting guards

The good...He's a lockdown defender against other small players, and can create real issues for any less than elite ball handlers coming up court.  He has the speed to be a threat on the break, and has the athleticism to finish.  He plays the passing lanes great on defense, and is also a surprisingly good help defender.