I hope bradley starts for the rest of the season

[LooseCannon]

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.

Since this team can't possibly be the favorite in the East, the Celtics can't afford to be risk-averse if the goal is to win a title.  That doesn't mean you should take stupid risks, but there has to be a willingness to take big risks if it makes sense.

[LooseCannon]

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.

One thing that matters is who finishes games.  Maybe sometimes Allen should sit and Bradley should play in the closing minutes of back-and-forth game when the Celtics need defensive stops, depending on matchups.  Can anyone make a case for Bradley closing against some playoff teams?

[CelticG1]

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.

Since this team can't possibly be the favorite in the East, the Celtics can't afford to be risk-averse if the goal is to win a title.  That doesn't mean you should take stupid risks, but there has to be a willingness to take big risks if it makes sense.

It's just a tough situation because is every one playing better because of bradley or is bradley playing better because of the big 4? I mean KG, Rondo, and Pierce have looked absolutely phenomenal over this last big stretch. You have to wonder if you plugged Ray in would it be the same, just clicking on all cylinders?


I don't know which way I'd rather go. I know people say bring Ray off the bench for scoring but why not do that with Bradley?   We could just increase his minutes off the bench and let him have more leeway. Set some plays for him where hes shooting off picks, running his 1-man fast break?

At this point it almost seems easier for bradley to create his own offense than Ray who is more of a catch and shoot, run off picks, receiving perfect passes from Rondo. With Ray on the second team he will just have to handle the ball more and have weaker players dishing it to him all while having the opposing defense smother him.

Am I wrong?

[snively]

Really looking forward to seeing him on Wade.  Wade's bigger and has a pretty dangerous post game, but I like that match-up better than Ray v. Wade.

[snively]

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.

Since this team can't possibly be the favorite in the East, the Celtics can't afford to be risk-averse if the goal is to win a title.  That doesn't mean you should take stupid risks, but there has to be a willingness to take big risks if it makes sense.

It's just a tough situation because is every one playing better because of bradley or is bradley playing better because of the big 4? I mean KG, Rondo, and Pierce have looked absolutely phenomenal over this last big stretch. You have to wonder if you plugged Ray in would it be the same, just clicking on all cylinders?


I don't know which way I'd rather go. I know people say bring Ray off the bench for scoring but why not do that with Bradley?   We could just increase his minutes off the bench and let him have more leeway. Set some plays for him where hes shooting off picks, running his 1-man fast break?

At this point it almost seems easier for bradley to create his own offense than Ray who is more of a catch and shoot, run off picks, receiving perfect passes from Rondo. With Ray on the second team he will just have to handle the ball more and have weaker players dishing it to him all while having the opposing defense smother him.

Am I wrong?

Bradley's not an offensive threat when he's not on the floor with a playmaker.  Ray still is, though to a much lesser degree than he once was.

Coming off the bench to play with Dooling/Sasha/Stiemsma isn't ideal for either of them. 

[SHAQATTACK]

AB bring so much energy and helps Rondo run the court, AB disrupts the opponents game, forces quick shots and TO's .  

Ray plays a limited defense role at this stage in his life and it is hurting us, we need to keep the opponent from fast starts.  Ray  seems to run like crazy on offense and sorta disappear on D

AB confidence is growing by leaps and bounds. He has tremendous athletic abilitiy.  He is just now starting to put it all together.

It would be a shame to hold him back .   I think back to Billups .

AB is playin great TEAM BALL , right now I'd take him over alot of BIGGER NAME guards .  

Don't wish Ray no bad luck , but I'm wanting to see AB start against the HEATERS.

[dysgenic]

Maybe I'll get killed for this, but I say right now AB is a better player than Ray.  BUT Ray is still a much better offensive player than AB.  And the second unit struggles to score, so Ray would be a perfect fit to the 2nd unit in that regard.  To me this is a no brainer.

dys

[LooseCannon]

The team's identity lies in defense, so despite the team's offensive woes, I am tempted to say that the lineup configurations involving Bradley and Allen should be based primarily on what maximizes the defense, especially in the fourth quarter.

[CelticG1]

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.

Since this team can't possibly be the favorite in the East, the Celtics can't afford to be risk-averse if the goal is to win a title.  That doesn't mean you should take stupid risks, but there has to be a willingness to take big risks if it makes sense.

It's just a tough situation because is every one playing better because of bradley or is bradley playing better because of the big 4? I mean KG, Rondo, and Pierce have looked absolutely phenomenal over this last big stretch. You have to wonder if you plugged Ray in would it be the same, just clicking on all cylinders?


I don't know which way I'd rather go. I know people say bring Ray off the bench for scoring but why not do that with Bradley?   We could just increase his minutes off the bench and let him have more leeway. Set some plays for him where hes shooting off picks, running his 1-man fast break?

At this point it almost seems easier for bradley to create his own offense than Ray who is more of a catch and shoot, run off picks, receiving perfect passes from Rondo. With Ray on the second team he will just have to handle the ball more and have weaker players dishing it to him all while having the opposing defense smother him.

Am I wrong?

Bradley's not an offensive threat when he's not on the floor with a playmaker.  Ray still is, though to a much lesser degree than he once was.

Coming off the bench to play with Dooling/Sasha/Stiemsma isn't ideal for either of them. 

I think it is at least a toss up as far as who would be better in the second unit. I'm sure it at least hurts ray a little bit that he has never done what we would be asking him in his career.

I think if we give Bradley some leeway he could create more off the dribble, get to the line more, and create off the break on his own. I could see him carrying the second team almost more.

Who knows though, it's a tough call especially this late in the season. All I know is that Bradley should be getting a lot more minutes in general (once Ray comes back)

[get_banners]

One thing about Ray running w/ the 2nd unit (re: him getting any open looks) - remember his Seattle years. Ray basically controlled the ball, so he managed to get open looks. Granted, he was younger, but he's still in very good shape, so if Ray's role is more like it was on Seattle for the 2nd unit (vs. running around screens for jumpers as it is now), I think he would get good looks. He's still do the running off screens thing, but he could also control the ball more, especially when Rondo isn't in there.

[KGs Knee]

I guess, one question that would have to be answered, is Bradley/Allen/Pietrus a legitimate back court unit?

I'd imagine if Bradley were to continue to start, Ray would come in for him around 6 min mark.  Allen and Rondo finsh out the 1st qtr, with Pietrus coming in for Pierce around the 10 min mark.

Starting the 2nd qtr, we'd have Bradley, Allen, & Pietrus.  Pierce would come back around 8 min mark (for Allen) leaving Bradley, Pietrus, Pierce.  Rondo comes back at the 6 min mark leaving Rondo, Bradley/Pietrus (whichever is playing better), & Pierce.  Allen could then finsh the qtr, coming back around the 4 min mark.

This leaves a minutes break-down of (per half):
Pierce-18 min
Bradley-12/14 min
Rondo-18 min
Pietrus-8/10 min
Allen-14 min

[thestackshow]

Bradley is what this team has been searching for, for years.

A young athletic wing that plays elite defense, is talented offensively and can run with Rondo.

Nothing really more needs to be said. If he isnt starting or at least playing 30-40 minutes a game from now on, something is wrong.

[Who]

Bradley should be a 12-14 minute a night backup PG who receives situational minutes at SG when an opponent has an undersized explosive two guards (such as Monta Ellis).

It is not in the team's best interest to give Bradley regular and/or extended minutes at the two spot because both Ray Allen and Mickael Pietrus are more effective options at that spot. Giving Bradley more minutes there instead of those players only weakens the team.

[cman88]

Bradley should be a 12-14 minute a night backup PG who receives situational minutes at SG when an opponent has an undersized explosive two guards (such as Monta Ellis).

It is not in the team's best interest to give Bradley regular and/or extended minutes at the two spot because both Ray Allen and Mickael Pietrus are more effective options at that spot. Giving Bradley more minutes there instead of those players only weakens the team.

the problem is, Bradley isnt really the best point guard. he is much better offensively playing off the ball, or looking for his shot...I think bradley needs to be on the floor with a playmaker. whether it be Rondo or Pierce

[KGs Knee]

Bradley should be a 12-14 minute a night backup PG who receives situational minutes at SG when an opponent has an undersized explosive two guards (such as Monta Ellis).

It is not in the team's best interest to give Bradley regular and/or extended minutes at the two spot because both Ray Allen and Mickael Pietrus are more effective options at that spot. Giving Bradley more minutes there instead of those players only weakens the team.

So who is Pierce's back-up then?

Going forward (provided Allen and Pietrus regain their health), the only five back court players who should be getting time are Pierce, Allen, Rondo, Pietrus, & Bradley.