Avery Bradley will be the next Russell Westbrook

[Senninsage]

I actually see this kind of potential, too. In fact, I see Bradley's potential as being even greater than westbrook's. What keeps him away from Westbrook numbers currently is he's a far more humble, team first type player.

He doesn't look for his own offense so much.

[thestackshow]

I actually see this kind of potential, too. In fact, I see Bradley's potential as being even greater than westbrook's. What keeps him away from Westbrook numbers currently is he's a far more humble, team first type player.

He doesn't look for his own offense so much.

Exactly, he definately doesnet want to step on his teammates toes as far as number of shots goes. I cant wait to see him during these next few games when Doc sits the Big 4. Bradley is going to have multiple 25+ point games.

[Fafnir]

When he plays PG he is similar to Westbrook of a few years ago, but with less desire to shoot (which makes sense given the respective team's situations)

Hes clearly effected by Docs rules, you can tell Bradley wants to be a scorer in this league, but Doc doesent let him, he wants him to play a role.

He would be a 20 ppg scorer no doubt in my mind if Doc told him "we need you to score, take the game over"

Right now hes the 5th option and Docs basically telling him, pass the ball to everyone else first, only shoot if your wide open or on garbage clean up plays.

Eh I highly doubt doc puts him down like that. Telling him to cut aggressively and play within the team concept isn't remotely like the made up instructions you just posted.

You know what I mean, Doc doesent want him to try to do too much right now, but I think he knows hes capable of doing more then what hes allowed to do right now.

I doubt it, he might get more shots and points but Bradley taking enough shots to be a top 15 scorer in the league would make our team worse for this year.

Only14 guys average 20 ppg in the league it's not easy.

[pearljammer10]

I love what bradley is doing but there is no way he ends up as a westbrook. Bradley is super quick on defense but he doesnt have the explosiveness with the ball that westbrook has. Moving without the ball he is beyond stellar but i dont think he will be able to handle the ball as well to get to the bucket and score like westbrook.

[thestackshow]

I love what bradley is doing but there is no way he ends up as a westbrook. Bradley is super quick on defense but he doesnt have the explosiveness with the ball that westbrook has. Moving without the ball he is beyond stellar but i dont think he will be able to handle the ball as well to get to the bucket and score like westbrook.

Based off the galactic improvement hes shown from last season to this season, he will learn how, he has the athletic ability and speed.

[kgiessler]

The reason Westbrook is able to dominate most night is his size and athleticism ate the 1. He's just bigger and stronger than his counterparts.

Bradley doesn't have the same physical advantage against other 1s and especially not 2s. His athleticism is exciting especially at PG but it's not the same level.

We shall see, remember hes only 21, who says he wont eventually be comfortable being a true combo guard and running the 1 after he works on his ball handling and adds muscle, he could be a dominant PG somewhere.

Westbrook was much bigger at 21 too.

His shooting touch is better though, but that could be shot selection as much as inate skill. Westbrook takes some truly awful shots.

Do you really feel that way?  Right now Westbrook is listed at 6'3", 187.  Bradley is listed as 6'2" 180.

I understand every lit bit counts in close matchups, but I really can't see that inch and seven pounds being that crucial of a difference.

[Mencius]

When he plays PG he is similar to Westbrook of a few years ago, but with less desire to shoot (which makes sense given the respective team's situations)

Seems to me Westbrook always had a better handle than Avery, who has a very poor handle at PG.  To me, Bradley is simply a great defending, good shooting 2.  I don't think he'll ever be a PG, which is fine, because he can be an effective 2.

If you watched his games in Maine last year (I watched all of them), you could see that he had a sweet stroke.  I wasn't worried about his horrible stats in the NBA.  He was just a deer in the headlights last year (NBA), but he oozed talent up in Maine, but there, as here, he really never was a PG (though they tried playing him as one).  

One of these nights when our regulars are out, he's just gonna bust out with a 40 point game.  He's got it in him.

[Mencius]

...He doesn't take the entire shot clock to throw up a fadeaway contested shot ala Westbrook, how nice is that, that at 21 and essentially a rookie, he has a high bball IQ.

In truth, Bradley has the luxury of playing with a lot of great players.  Even when he's in there purportedly at the "PG" spot, he mostly brings the ball over half court and hands it off to Paul (if Paul's in there too).  He may be nominally playing PG, but doesn't have PG responsibilities, which I think is great, both for him, and the team.  It's a luxury.  If he really had PG responsibilities like Westbrook has (and it wouldn't be pretty), we could compare apples to apples.  He doesn't, though.

Happily, he's an effective 2 who can defend the 1.

[Edgar]

...He doesn't take the entire shot clock to throw up a fadeaway contested shot ala Westbrook, how nice is that, that at 21 and essentially a rookie, he has a high bball IQ.

In truth, Bradley has the luxury of playing with a lot of great players.  Even when he's in there purportedly at the "PG" spot, he mostly brings the ball over half court and hands it off to Paul (if Paul's in there too).  He may be nominally playing PG, but doesn't have PG responsibilities, which I think is great, both for him, and the team.  It's a luxury.  If he really had PG responsibilities like Westbrook has (and it wouldn't be pretty), we could compare apples to apples.  He doesn't, though.

Happily, he's an effective 2 who can defend the 1.

yup
i dont know but 14 PP asssist talk by yourself
he is where he is supposed to be
and i like you love that
goood times to see a player like him develope in the
right enviroment

[Bingbangbarros]

I am surprised about all the Bradley love here. I definitely undervalued him but there is absolutely no way he becomes the next Westbrook.

Westbrook is so explosive off the dribble almost like a freak of nature. He can also handle the ball. Bradley does neither of these things. I hope I'm wrong but I think he will be what he is right now. Play off the ball, hopefully he can work on the corner 3's, hit the open jumpers and cut at the right time, as well as pressure the ball and run the court. He doesn't create much although he doesn't really get the opportunity but he hasn't shown the ability either, he doesn't rebound from the guard spot. I think everyone is way too excited but I would love to be wrong.

I don't see any comparisons in their games whatsoever. They score in different ways. He's starting to hit the jumper but the majority of his points come off of cuts. I haven't figured out whether he is a great cutter or if they are leaving him to focus on the big 3.

[LarBrd33]

he doesn't have that kind of talent.  He's been outstanding lately, though.  And hopefully he can keep hitting those shots.  He shot 43% in college.  His stroke looks excellent, though... I really hope this isn't just a hot streak.

He's excellent defensively... does have anywhere near the ball handling or play making abilities of Westbrook.  His vision is severely limited and he can't really create his own shot.

[arambone]

"I hope I'm wrong but I think he will be what he is right now."

And what did you think he was two months ago?

How did that work out for you?

Still betting against the 21 year old who gets his name mentioned in most improved player discussions?

He's already hit his peak after half a season of regular minutes. Brilliant.

[Kiorrik]

Avery Bradley will be the next Russell Westbrook

By all that is dear to me, I sure do hope not.

First things first; I get the comparison. They are both about the same height, they can both score, and they play the point.

Now, that last one is also where the difference lies.

Where Westbrook excels as a shooting point guard, Bradley excels as a cutting shooting guard.

So far, most of Bradley's points have come on the coattails of Rajon or Paul drives, with them either kicking it out to an open Bradley for three or a cutting Bradley in or near the paint.

Westbrook, he's a creator. He has the ball in his hands and creates his own shot. He has ridiculous speed to get by people, a good eye for passing, and a decent jump-shot.

Bradley can't create as much. He is an awkward passer at best, and his handles are suspect, especially when he's speeding.

If you'd ask me, I'd say he's the anti-Westbrook. He does everything Westbrook does, but totally the other way.

[ianboyextreme]

"I hope I'm wrong but I think he will be what he is right now."

And what did you think he was two months ago?

How did that work out for you?

Still betting against the 21 year old who gets his name mentioned in most improved player discussions?

He's already hit his peak after half a season of regular minutes. Brilliant.

Seriously, hes 21 in his first full season in the nba. What nba player hasnt improved from that point. Hes bound to keep improving a lot, especially with how fast he has improved already this year.

[ianboyextreme]

I am surprised about all the Bradley love here. I definitely undervalued him but there is absolutely no way he becomes the next Westbrook.

Westbrook is so explosive off the dribble almost like a freak of nature. He can also handle the ball. Bradley does neither of these things. I hope I'm wrong but I think he will be what he is right now. Play off the ball, hopefully he can work on the corner 3's, hit the open jumpers and cut at the right time, as well as pressure the ball and run the court. He doesn't create much although he doesn't really get the opportunity but he hasn't shown the ability either, he doesn't rebound from the guard spot. I think everyone is way too excited but I would love to be wrong.

I don't see any comparisons in their games whatsoever. They score in different ways. He's starting to hit the jumper but the majority of his points come off of cuts. I haven't figured out whether he is a great cutter or if they are leaving him to focus on the big 3.

he definetly does rebound from the guard spot. most nights he has about 4 rebounds.