AVERY BRADLEY was the one who sparked our winning streak

[bfrombleacher]

Celtic fans on this board have the biggest knee jerk reactions out of any fanbase

Its actually funny

All of a sudden bradley is a good point guard

He's still way below average to me

Oh, no nonono. He's still very raw on offense but that defense was something else. Before then, we had no hustle, no energy. The tide tends to go your way when you bring grit and fight on court and we've been missing that the entire season until now.

[BASS_THUMPER]

start avery bench rondo

[dtrader]

I really wouldn't put this streak at all on Bradley.

1.- Moore didn't start playing D like he has been because of Bradley.  Moore has been playing great d since coming, and is only now being recognized for it, because his play on offense has made his entire game more visible.

2.- Brandon Bass has had at least as much of an impact as Bradley in our wins (more of an impact in maybe all but one).

3.- Paul Pierce has darn near been the best player in the league this week. If anything has sparked our turnaround, I'd say it's the turnaround that pierce has made himself.

Really Bradley had one stellar game where he was allowed to get away with more hand checking than normal. Outside of that 1 performance he's been only slightly better than average this week.

I disagree.
Moore's defense has been average at best. His slow feet mean he  gets beaten by quicker guards all the time. The last two games have been better- he has good hands and can disrupt cutting players quite well.
His offense and ball control are great though, he needs to stay  aggressive and hopefully his terrible shooting will pick up.

Pierce speaks for himself.
Bass is just doing what Bass does.

I truly believe that Bradley has inspired our team to improve their defense and this is what has turned us around.
We are playing simple.
If anything outside of Bradley has helped us, it's been Pietrus' toughness and hard nosed play. He isn't afraid of anyone on the court and isn't afraid to take the last shot.
He's been about as good a replacement for Jeff Green that we could hope for.
I've said this before, but when our teams veterans see a young guy like Bradley come out in his second year and play defense like that on starting point guards, it sets a tone for every game. Opposing teams are getting less than 15 seconds to make the first pass in every play they run, and it's leading to forced errors, rushed shots, and players questioning where they should be on offense because it disrupts the timing of their system.
This defense is turning into fast breaks and wide open transition threes and easy open lanes for Pierce with our 3 point shooters on the wings.

Defense is what's winning us these games, and Bradley has sparked that defensive tenacity that we were missing in the first 15 games. Something needed to light a fire in their bellys and I think a combination of media/trade talks of moving Pierce or KG being washed up/cooked combined with the efforts of our young bench guys has set something off in the locker room.

It's only gonna get better as Wilcox and Dooling come back because they too are hungry to win after playing on such terrible teams their whole careers.
Winning is contagious, defensive energy is contagious and so is discipline.
For me though the number one factor has been Bradley's defense and the tone it's set while Rondo's been out; if a second year bench warmer can play with all his heart, why cant the 5,8,14 year veterans?

I guess it's a bit harder to prove then offense, but I think Moores defense has been about as good as Bradleys.  His defense isn't as disruptive, because he doesnt pickup full court as often or play as physical as Bradley, but in my opinion he gets beaten LESS than Bradley.  Often Bradley over commits on defense, and ends up behind his man.  Moore gives them a bit more space, which results in less chances for stupid hand check fouls, less chance of being beaten off the dribble, and a greater chance of giving up an open shot (the 1 negative).  Bradleys defense certainly looks "better" since its so in your face, but that same style of play can play into the oppositions hands by giving up fouls. 

On the flip side, Bradley offers no offense.  He can score on break aways, and occasional cuts, but he doesnt have any offensive skills (crossover, jump shot, floater, etc). Moore has shown a bunch of moves.  It doesnt make sense to say "hopefully his shooting will improve", because it already has.  The last 2 games he's knocked down his shots.  If we widen the sample size to include the start of the season when he was shooting poorly, then that sample will also include all the earlier games when Bradley was absolutely atrocious. 

Over the last 4 games, Bradley shot 1/8, 2/7, 3/7, 2/7. Thats horrible.  Over the same course, he had 15 assists to 12 turnovers.  Thats bad as well.  In those 4 games, he has 4 steals, and 2 blocks  (Moore had 3 steals and 3 blocks over that span despite playing far less minutes).  The only reason anyone is talking about how inspired Bradleys play has been, is because his earlier play was so amazingly bad, that the standard is just that low.


I think it's a mistake to disregard Pierces turnaround as a factor as well.  He wasn't "speaking for himself" in the previous games.  He was playing poorly.  Now he's playing like a top 5 NBA player.  I dont think it's fair to Pierce, to say that change is because of Bradley, but it IS a big change.

Bass also isnt just "doing what he does".  He hasnt had a consecutive streak of games where he's put up numbers like the last 4 games in years.  This was actually mentioned during the telecast of the last game. 

The whole team is playing much better....but it isnt because of Avery.

[FallGuy]

Bradley can't be counted on to run the offense. He can barely be counted on to draw iron on a jumpshot. He is getting better at cutting off the ball though. But let's not kid ourselves. He's hardly the reason the Celtics are winning games.

[gar]

KG and Bradley together perhaps. Bradley inspired KG and PP to step up their games. But they also had no choice w/ Rondo and RA out. So combination of events. Bradley just a part of it.

[Celtics4ever]

I know you don't like the kid but when you make statements about the game at the very least don't make up fairy tales.

To begin the 2nd half the C's were up 6. When Moore came in for Bradley with 1:23 left in the 3rd the C's were up 10.

Moore then played until 5:18 was left in the game and the C's were up only 8.

Bradley finished the game.

We won by seven what is your point?  Because your facts do not support it at all.    I watched the game.   I know what I saw, I am not just using ESPN play by play.  Look at the shot charts when Avery was in.   Did you like that 2-7 performance from the field?  The fact is that the game was tight 19-17 when Moore came in at 2:02 in the first quarter.  We ended the quarter up six.  This opened the game up plain and simple from that point on we never were behind I can't say that for when Avery was playing.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/playbyplay?gameId=320127002&period=3

How about the save that was not necessary to no one that gave the other team the ball?  I want to see you defend that one.

Bradley did not inspire anyone.   KG performs better at the center spot.  PP has rounded into form.   If they were inspired by him don't you think they would not look at an open Avery in the fourth and then pass the other way.  You can see them avoid him late in the game time and again.   I would too as someone shooting .28% from the field on a given night but this all too common with Bradley.  It was Doc who got us going not Bradley.   He was the one who said let's make a run and get a few stops. \

The only thing Bradley may inspire is people to practice shooting so they won't be as embarrassed as he is when he has to shoot the ball.   I bet half the people on this board could beat him at HORSE left handed.

Moore is a better team defender than Bradley.  Bradley is a better one of one defender but I noticed he has a real problem with picks and he doesn't fight around them very well.  Fact is  Moore deserved that start after his performance on Wednesday.   I think we are shopping Bradley and hoping we can dump him for something we need.   Trouble is the kid can't make two with a pencil.

His form is not that bad save his bent followthrough.  I think he overjumps on his jumpers and loses all touch in doing so.  To shoot that way you have to jump like you are shooting all the time or it won't help you.   When he shoots around he never jumps in the pregame or jump very little.  When he jumps in the game he jumps real high on his jumper and his shot if off.   If he can fix this I think his form would be good enough to make it more.  But practicing setshots then going pogo man in the game does not work well with guys with poor shooting touch.

I have not had a Celtic give me as many hypertensive issues on the offensive end since Potapenko.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I think Moore's defense has been quite good. Slow foot, yes, but I think his foot work itself has been vastly better than early in the season. He's active and doing a good job staying with his man, and often we see him pressuring the ball quite well at the half court.

[nickagneta]

I know you don't like the kid but when you make statements about the game at the very least don't make up fairy tales.

To begin the 2nd half the C's were up 6. When Moore came in for Bradley with 1:23 left in the 3rd the C's were up 10.

Moore then played until 5:18 was left in the game and the C's were up only 8.

Bradley finished the game.

We won by seven what is your point?  Because your facts do not support it at all.    I watched the game.   I know what I saw, I am not just using ESPN play by play.  Look at the shot charts when Avery was in.   Did you like that 2-7 performance from the field?  The fact is that the game was tight 19-17 when Moore came in at 2:02 in the first quarter.  We ended the quarter up six.  This opened the game up plain and simple from that point on we never were behind I can't say that for when Avery was playing.

Let me refresh your memory with what you claimed:

Bradley did well the first ORL game this week.   But the rest of the games he did not do that well.  In fact, Moore was the PG of the big runs and the guy who played the majority of the fourth which speaks volumes about Doc's trust in Avery.   Also, the game tightened back up when Bradley came in the fourth.

Moore was the PG of the big runs....but he was also the PG on the floor that gave away those runs.

The guy played the majority of the fourth quarter...you mean a whole minute more than Bradley?

It speaks volumes for Doc's trust...except the proof is that the players that finish the game in non blow out situations are the players Doc trusts the most at those positions. Its been true for 8 years here.

I watched the game too and what you were claiming was just wrong. The C's didn't pull away with Moore on the floor. He was a +4 in the first half and a -2 in the second half. Those aren't runs that pulled the C's into some insurmountable lead.

Your claims are just not based in any type of fact whatsoever and so, quite honestly, I call into question anything else you say about Bradley because its just clear you don't like the kid.

You noticed he has trouble fighting through picks? Really? The kid does a very good job going under the picks and picking up his player very quickly on the other side. And like any smaller sized PG, even those with years of experience, he isn't always winning his way to the spot to prevent himself from getting picked so he can go over the pick.

And Moore is not a better team defender. He's a poorer defender than Bradley in every way shape and form.

I've said enough to show that you just hate the kid and so are gonna make stuff up to make him look bad and Moore good. Have fun with making more stuff up that isn't true.

[BASS_THUMPER]

avery speed makes up for every other area he lacks in

he stays in the mix

[Moranis]

Rondo not playing is what sparked the winning streak.  Rondo is a terrible fit for this team as presently construed.

[LooseCannon]

Rondo not playing is what sparked the winning streak.  Rondo is a terrible fit for this team as presently construed.

Have KG and PP looked better because Rondo is not playing?

[Celtics18]

Rondo not playing is what sparked the winning streak.  Rondo is a terrible fit for this team as presently construed.

This makes zero sense. 

[BballTim]

Rondo not playing is what sparked the winning streak.  Rondo is a terrible fit for this team as presently construed.

Have KG and PP looked better because Rondo is not playing?

  Yeah, it's not like Rondo playing with RA/PP/KG has been a historically unsuccessful core...

[dtrader]

I know you don't like the kid but when you make statements about the game at the very least don't make up fairy tales.

To begin the 2nd half the C's were up 6. When Moore came in for Bradley with 1:23 left in the 3rd the C's were up 10.

Moore then played until 5:18 was left in the game and the C's were up only 8.

Bradley finished the game.

We won by seven what is your point?  Because your facts do not support it at all.    I watched the game.   I know what I saw, I am not just using ESPN play by play.  Look at the shot charts when Avery was in.   Did you like that 2-7 performance from the field?  The fact is that the game was tight 19-17 when Moore came in at 2:02 in the first quarter.  We ended the quarter up six.  This opened the game up plain and simple from that point on we never were behind I can't say that for when Avery was playing.

Let me refresh your memory with what you claimed:

Bradley did well the first ORL game this week.   But the rest of the games he did not do that well.  In fact, Moore was the PG of the big runs and the guy who played the majority of the fourth which speaks volumes about Doc's trust in Avery.   Also, the game tightened back up when Bradley came in the fourth.

Moore was the PG of the big runs....but he was also the PG on the floor that gave away those runs.

The guy played the majority of the fourth quarter...you mean a whole minute more than Bradley?

It speaks volumes for Doc's trust...except the proof is that the players that finish the game in non blow out situations are the players Doc trusts the most at those positions. Its been true for 8 years here.

I watched the game too and what you were claiming was just wrong. The C's didn't pull away with Moore on the floor. He was a +4 in the first half and a -2 in the second half. Those aren't runs that pulled the C's into some insurmountable lead.

Your claims are just not based in any type of fact whatsoever and so, quite honestly, I call into question anything else you say about Bradley because its just clear you don't like the kid.

You noticed he has trouble fighting through picks? Really? The kid does a very good job going under the picks and picking up his player very quickly on the other side. And like any smaller sized PG, even those with years of experience, he isn't always winning his way to the spot to prevent himself from getting picked so he can go over the pick.

And Moore is not a better team defender. He's a poorer defender than Bradley in every way shape and form.

I've said enough to show that you just hate the kid and so are gonna make stuff up to make him look bad and Moore good. Have fun with making more stuff up that isn't true.

Exactly what proof have you provided, to support your claim that Bradley is a better defender in every way?  Over the past 4 games, Moore has comparable steal and block numbers in fewer minutes. That would seem to indicate that he creates them more efficiently than Bradley. Also, since Moore has played more minutes, our team defense has dramatically improved. What's to say, that Moores superior team defense wasn't the cause?

 Regardless of what exact minutes of the game each of them played, the one thing I think is clear, is that Moore is better on offense. He is a better passer, shooter, and dribbler. Bradley's offense has been horrible.  Unless you could legitimately prove (not just opinion or what it looked like) that Bradley's defense has been head and shoulders above Moores, I don't see any reason to attribute our team turnaround to Bradley any more than it should be attributed to Moore.

[FallGuy]

Not really my fight but Moore was the PG who cued the comeback in the Orlando game. C's were down 18 with 2 minutes left in the third and Doc subbed in Moore/Daniels. That backcourt was on the floor for the next 8 minutes when the C's went from 18 down to 1 up (Daniels subbed out at that point). Moore finished out the game. Not only that, Moore's ball pressure both full-court and in the half-court were instrumental in leading Boston back.

I think Bradley has a better future but right now he's a negative on offense if he has to handle the ball.