Can we admit that Avery Bradley is a legit NBA player now?

[Celtics4ever]

Enough of the Donald's Chaney references.  Chaney was 6-5 and could play forward or guard.  Chaney shot .43% from the field and this kid shoots a measly .35% from the field.   Chaney averaged 8 ppg and Bradley 2.2 ppg.  The shooting alone is an abyssmal stat.  It's insulting to Chaney to compare him to Bradley.

He is in the NBA therefore he is a legit player.

[clover]

Unquestionably, the way AB has been improving has been one of the bright spots for the team.  Whether as a keeper or an asset in a trade, Bradley is boosting his value.  I now want to see Doc average him at least 15 minutes a game even with Rondo back, because that's how you appreciate your young assets.

I'm also ready to relegate Ray to 20 minutes off the bench, however much that will get his nose out of joint.

Don't think Ray's nose will be a problem, but clearly Doc has a rotation problem in that he has to figure out how to sit the superior player to make room for the younger, fresher, more aggressive legs.

I do not see a need to cut Ray's  minutes so drastically he can give us a very solid twenty eight minutes a night. There is plenty of time available for Bradley. Dooling may be getting some splinters if Avery figures out things on the offensive end.  I expect Nelson to play better at home.

From the start of the year Doc has been saying that their defensive problems weren't in the frontcourt, as people were presuming, but in the backcourt, with the guards.  I think we saw last night what a difference upgrading the combined defense in the guard spots meant for the team. 

They can't keep trying to overcome the first quarters they have been getting off to.  That's part of why I'd like to see Ray eased into a bench sharpshooter position.

[snively]

I mean people complained to end about an injured Tony, and Bradley brings all the same over-thinking, turnovers, and lack of confidence without any of the streaky and explosive high-percentage scoring.  Not to mention less versatile defense and he's worse at keeping his man in front of him.

Now is it possible that we're just pulling less of our hair out because Pierce has played PG the past two games instead of AB?

I agree that Pierce's high-caliber play-making and scoring has kept the lid on the Pandora's box that is Avery Bradley @ PG.  

The happy note is that he's doing slightly better as an off-ball/secondary player offensively.  Still ineffective overall, but he's showing a few more signs.

I fear we'll be in for some regression once he has to return to the 2nd unit, however.  Unless Daniels can play to his full potential as a play-maker, there's going to be nowhere for Bradley to hide offensively.

[Greenbean]

Um no, because he's not yet.  He needs a lot more good games in order to cancel out all the bad.  Who was the last legitimate player that you can recall who averaged 3 points on 36% shooting, 10% from 3, and 58% from the line?

We always knew he could play this type of defense, ever since his first game.  Nothing new.  We also know he's among the bottom 5 worst offensive players when he's on the court.  Now there's no reason we can't have hope, because we know he's good in practice, but until he replicates that during real games he's not a legitimate player.  

I mean people complained to end about an injured Tony, and Bradley brings all the same over-thinking, turnovers, and lack of confidence without any of the streaky and explosive high-percentage scoring.  Not to mention less versatile defense and he's worse at keeping his man in front of him.

Now is it possible that we're just pulling less of our hair out because Pierce has played PG the past two games instead of AB?

This rite here while he played great pressure D last night he has a tendency to get blown by because he plays so close to his man nd his inept offense has already been discussed as of right now he's lookin like a Eric Snow 2.0 but we'll see wat happens

Completely disagree about him getting blown by on defense. He has remarkable recovery speed.

Last night, I dont think Nelson got any penetration in the middle of the court. It was amazing. He had to pick up his dribble at the 3 point line and he was exhausted.

You are right about him offensively though.

[ScoobyDoo]

I've always felt Bradley would be a legit NBA player. He's still early in his development process, but I think he'll get there.

Very solid D, and an offensive game that will eventually be much better than what he is currently showing us, it will consist of:

1. Fast break points
2. a Very solid mid range game
3. Points off steals
4. Occasional three point shots
5. Foul shots

A lot of young players get better offensively each year, it takes them time and comfort level. The kid has a decent shot, with room to get better. As he figures things out and his ball handling improves he'll be able to get anywhere he wants on the court.

For now, I'd like to see him continue getting about 10-15 minutes a night. Keep working the D and let the O come to him.

He's one of the best defensive irritants I've seen in a long time. Still a long way to go but I like what I'm seeing.  

[ScoobyDoo]

Can we also note that this kid was drafted at 19 years old after one year of college and has still not had a single training camp with the Celtics?

Not making excuses for him, just stating the facts. Let's just let him keep working and developing.

[droopdog7]

I'll give him credit for sure.  His D was suffocating last night.  Let's hope he can keep it up.

In terms of his role on offense, I still would rather see him developed as a PG rather than a SG.  I also am not really that worried about his shot.  To me, his form and release are fine.  His missing still has more to do with nerves than anything else. 

Give him time to work on it and confidence and that part will come around.

[Interceptor]

When it comes to his offense, it's not like he was chucking up contested half-court shots, here. Kid attacked the basket and just couldn't finish, or took wide-open shots that wouldn't go down. I liked his instincts. His shot will come, but even if it doesn't, he's still legit for what he can give on D.

[Fafnir]

I'll give him credit for sure.  His D was suffocating last night.  Let's hope he can keep it up.

In terms of his role on offense, I still would rather see him developed as a PG rather than a SG.  I also am not really that worried about his shot.  To me, his form and release are fine.  His missing still has more to do with nerves than anything else. 

Give him time to work on it and confidence and that part will come around.

Yeah he's a PG in the NBA, his defense at that position is a huge asset and athletically he has a big advantage.

At the SG position his potential will be a lot more limited, and his offensive game will have to grow a lot more than at the PG position since his defense won't be as gamechanging.

[ScoobyDoo]

Good point Interceptor. The two most interesting plays for me with Bradley the last two games are:

1. Opening the game by trying to tommahawk dunk on a legit 7' 2" guy who is one of the league's best shot blockers

2. Going back for more later in the game.

I don't care about the results, I like the aggression and toughness of that. it's the same kind he displays on D.

I'll bet you a couple of things too. I bet he'll go at McGee again and will eventually throw down on him, as well as some other big men as he figures out the angle to do it.

It will be electrifying when he does it and we'll love it.  

[vinnie]

he played terrific D last night and showed some toughness with a few hits he took.

right now, he's a fringe player.  if he can develop a consistent jumper out to at least 18 feet or be able to drive to the hoop without getting constantly stripped, he'll be a solid rotation player.

as disruptive as he and Rondo could be on the floor together, their inability to shoot from outside will kill the offense.

I think this comment is spot on.

[vinnie]

Enough of the Donald's Chaney references.  Chaney was 6-5 and could play forward or guard.  Chaney shot .43% from the field and this kid shoots a measly .35% from the field.   Chaney averaged 8 ppg and Bradley 2.2 ppg.  The shooting alone is an abyssmal stat.  It's insulting to Chaney to compare him to Bradley.

He is in the NBA therefore he is a legit player.

Thank you. As one of the older guys here, the Chaney comparisons have been driving me crazy.

[mgent]

Um no, because he's not yet.  He needs a lot more good games in order to cancel out all the bad.  Who was the last legitimate player that you can recall who averaged 3 points on 36% shooting, 10% from 3, and 58% from the line?

We always knew he could play this type of defense, ever since his first game.  Nothing new.  We also know he's among the bottom 5 worst offensive players when he's on the court.  Now there's no reason we can't have hope, because we know he's good in practice, but until he replicates that during real games he's not a legitimate player.  

I mean people complained to end about an injured Tony, and Bradley brings all the same over-thinking, turnovers, and lack of confidence without any of the streaky and explosive high-percentage scoring.  Not to mention less versatile defense and he's worse at keeping his man in front of him.

Now is it possible that we're just pulling less of our hair out because Pierce has played PG the past two games instead of AB?

This rite here while he played great pressure D last night he has a tendency to get blown by because he plays so close to his man nd his inept offense has already been discussed as of right now he's lookin like a Eric Snow 2.0 but we'll see wat happens

Completely disagree about him getting blown by on defense. He has remarkable recovery speed.

Last night, I dont think Nelson got any penetration in the middle of the court. It was amazing. He had to pick up his dribble at the 3 point line and he was exhausted.

You are right about him offensively though.

Yes he has excellent recovery speed, but we're talking about Jameer Nelson here.  When it comes to picking pockets, he's one of the best, but lets not act like he's a true stopper on penetration.  He looks like an ace when playing against 2nd string combo guards with average ball-handling skills, but he hasn't done anything meaningful against strong drivers so far.  Wall destroyed him, and although he didn't allow Nash to get a ton of points, he let him get absolutely wherever he wanted on the court.

[dtrader]

I said this many times on this forum: I watched Bradley at Texas and knew that if nothing else, he could be a defensive specialist in the NBA.

He made a fool out of Jameer Nelson last night. Now I know Jameer has never panned out the way most folks thought but he still has been a starting PG for a playoff team for a few years now.

Averys' shot will round into form. Will he average 20 a game? I will not bet the farm on it but I think we will see improvement on this front during the season.

He certainly has shown to be a very strong back up combo guard. Not bad since we picked him at 19.

<<<Still a Bradley hater.

How is Bradley a combo guard?  Whats the combo?  He doesnt have a consistent shot or a crossover to create space in the half court, so he isnt a shooting guard or a scoring guard.  He isnt big or strong enough to guard bigger guards that post either.  He doesnt have any clear basketball "skills".  He has great athleticism, and plays with effort..which are the main things needed to be a great defender.  I've seen him shut down Calderon and Nelson (two players that are known to go invisible at times on their own), and he was unable to contain Wall.  At no time has Bradley looked like a good passer, or above average dribbler.

He's had a few solid games now where he didnt hurt the team.  Before that he had a string of games where he was an absolute mess.  NONE of the real questions have been answered, and until he has a consistent jumpshot or shows some court vision, I'm not sold.

[KGHurtYourFeelings]

The funny part was everyone calling for Moore to eat up his minutes. Moore is shooting 24% from the field and 14% from 3 with his increased playing time.  Hows that working out?

Neither guy can run the offense, and both can't buy a bucket (at this point), but at least AB brings it on the defensive end.

It looks like Moore does a fine job running the offense, and at least getting us in to our sets.  Plus, he can bring the ball up the court.  AB can't do that against any type of ball pressure.

That said, I liked what I saw out of AB (like everybody else) but I'm not ready to say he's definitely an NBA player yet.

But for the first time, I'm thinking that he might develop into a solid role player.