I hope bradley starts for the rest of the season

[democritic]

Much respect to Bradley for everything he's doing, but if I may idly wonder... I think that this what people who say that Rondo benefits from 3 hall of famers don't get. Rondo excels at getting people shots and not only HOF players benefit from getting the ball in their spots. I think a lot of Bradley's success means that those two have developed chemistry, Bradley just needs to keep getting more confidence.

[SHAQATTACK]

I'm still on board with this .

[Senninsage]

It's just such a tough thing to do, putting Ray on the bench, risking the possibility of losing his incredible 3 point shooting touch from the onset of the game. Bradley is looking good, [dang] good, but you have to really wonder if we'd be risking a great deal by making Ray come off the bench, especially since Bradley might have some nerves about going up against certain superstars in a starting role.

Better to stick with Ray at starter and just make sure that Bradley gets the time on the court he deserves, now that he is playing so well, he's confident, and his offense is clicking. Ray's defense may not be as good, he may not be as fast, but Ray knows how to play good defense, and he's ice cold confident against even the best players in the game.

Basically, with Bradley's confidence being up as it is right now, he should be able to come off the bench and still give us good numbers. Basically, he has officially earned his stripes on this team. He definitely has their respect now. Now just become one of the primary leaders on that bench unit.

[xmuscularghandix]

I'll be really disappointment if he doesn't. Kid has a KC Jones, Dennis Johnson type of impact on the defensive end and he hustles his ass of against bigger defenders.

[Jon]

I really think this whole starting/bench thing is overrated.  The really important thing to take from this is that Avery Bradley should be playing and he should be playing a lot. When Ray comes back, I'd love to see Avery get all the backup minutes at the 1 and 2 spots, which should net him at least 30 mpg.

As far as starting, I tend to stick with Ray. We all remember how badly his confidence was rattled in 2010 when he was heavily rumored to be traded. As soon as the deadline passed, he caught fire. We don't need to rattle his confidence again by benching him.

Instead I'd put Ray on the KG plan and replace him with Avery 5 minutes into the game at the 7 minute mark. Then you could bring Ray back in with 2 minutes left for Rondo and let Bradley run the point.

[OsirusCeltics]

The best way would be if Bradley starts and Ray finishes
Bradley would rev up the offense in the beginning, Ray would close out the game with his shooting and experience

[EDWARDO]

When was Bradleys shot consistent (in a good way)?  He isnt shooting well at all in my book.  He has a good FG% because he gets layups (created by other people), and hits wide open shots because defenders sag off him.  He does NOT come close to Rays shooting.

He's a far better defender than Ray at guarding smaller players, but he has shown no ability to guard bigger SGs (see Gerald Henderson).  Where he helps the most (perimeter defense), is already one of our starting units strong suits.  That makes his biggest advantage over Ray almost meaningless.

The only advantage to AB starting in place of Ray, would be that Ray could help our second unit more than Bradleys inclusion in the starting unit could hurt.

Statistics don't back up your criticism of his shooting. The more he plays, the better he's been shooting. He's been shooting incredibly well lately.

"Bradley to that point in his career was a mere 17-for-81 shooting from beyond 10 feet (21 percent) over his first 48 NBA games, according to shot location info tracked by HoopData. Since then? Bradley is 31-for-63 shooting from beyond 10 feet (49.2 percent), a ridiculous clip considering teammate Ray Allen, whose spot he took in the starting lineup on Sunday, is shooting 42.7 from that same range this season."

[Greenbean]

Bradley doen't have to start but he has earned a more prominent role. His offense has finally reached a point where he doesn't hurt the team out there. He is a dominant defensive player.

I know he isnt as effective against big 2's but I think he has done okay. I want to see him against DWade this week, especially if Mikael isnt back yet.

[clover]

When was Bradleys shot consistent (in a good way)?  He isnt shooting well at all in my book.  He has a good FG% because he gets layups (created by other people), and hits wide open shots because defenders sag off him.  He does NOT come close to Rays shooting.

He's a far better defender than Ray at guarding smaller players, but he has shown no ability to guard bigger SGs (see Gerald Henderson).  Where he helps the most (perimeter defense), is already one of our starting units strong suits.  That makes his biggest advantage over Ray almost meaningless.

The only advantage to AB starting in place of Ray, would be that Ray could help our second unit more than Bradleys inclusion in the starting unit could hurt.

Statistics don't back up your criticism of his shooting. The more he plays, the better he's been shooting. He's been shooting incredibly well lately.

"Bradley to that point in his career was a mere 17-for-81 shooting from beyond 10 feet (21 percent) over his first 48 NBA games, according to shot location info tracked by HoopData. Since then? Bradley is 31-for-63 shooting from beyond 10 feet (49.2 percent), a ridiculous clip considering teammate Ray Allen, whose spot he took in the starting lineup on Sunday, is shooting 42.7 from that same range this season."

Indeed.  Given how poorly he started when he was still visibly nervous, that he is shooting .479 on the season is extraordinary.  All he needs is a 3pt shot, which at 21 he will likely still develop; to learn to guard big, strong 2's better; and to handle the ball better.

[Rtpas11]

I approve  not only for this year but for next year's experience.

[jdz101]

Start with Avery. Finish with Ray. Simple.

[celtics2]

Count me in also. Bradley earns the time. Haven't been watching much but the Celts look better than my 500 prediction. Will Doc have the guts to start him playoff time. I think not.

[Cman]

Avery Bradley has a lower PER than Ray Allen. Ergo, he should not play in front of Ray.



(yes, that was supposed to be tongue in cheek )

[Capricious]

I don't care if he starts or comes off the bench, but he needs to play the 2 and get minutes with Rondo.  His skillset dictates that he play with a PG who can get him the ball in good spots. Ray has the same problem and doesn't have the athleticism AB does.

[cman88]

bradleys perimiter game was one he had in college...even Doc has said he hits those shots consistently in practice. it seems that as he has had more playing time he has been able to calm himself down and finally hit that shot.

the kid has been putting up double digits consistently starting...the key is though, he needs to play with Rondo who can find him in his right spots.