Avery Bradley will be the next Russell Westbrook

[esel1000]

well if you guys recall this kid was the top rated high school basketball player entering college... I knew he couldnt be as bad as he was showing earlier this season...

this is his first real year due to injury last year... hes gonna get even better than he is now, im excited. If you think this kid wont have at least one game in his career where he scores over 40 you're kidding yourself. He's got so much potential... I hope we keep him and don't use him as trade bait

[Galeto]

He's not going to be a Westbrook.  I seriously doubt it.  His handle isn't good enough to be the type of shot creator Westbrook is.  While he's young, ball handling doesn't seem to improve much beyond 18 or whatever young age, for whatever reason.  I can't remember a case where it did.  I'm just happy that his three point shooting has shown up this year.  My hope was that he could develop his long-range in time and become a classic, Bruce Bowen type role player.  He's become one already while bringing extra stuff most defensive role players often don't like being able to shoot off the dribble and cut off the ball.

What thrills me about him is that he's sort of a San Antonio Spurs type player.  He hits those corner threes San Antonio loves and he can fit in and contribute on a veteran team from a young age.  I've always envied the Spurs for acquiring those player.  It's good to see that the Celtics might have "stolen" him right before the Spurs selecting at 20.  In my mind, it's retribution for the Spurs supposedly "stealing" George Hill from the Celtics and making them ultimately take JR freaking Giddens.

[bfrombleacher]

In my mind, it's retribution for the Spurs supposedly "stealing" George Hill from the Celtics and making them ultimately take JR freaking Giddens.

I heard something (on here) about Danny promising Giddens's agent he'd grab him in the first. Danny's been making pretty good picks considering how low they've been.


I hope he becomes our future SG. The SG position is thinning anyway and most SGs nowadays are combos. There's not a lot of 6'5 pure scorers. Eric Gordon and OJ Mayo are getting away with being undersized, maybe Bradley could too.

[Boris Badenov]

I can't think of two players who are more different.

Bradley's offense consists entirely of finding open spots underneath or in the corners, while other players are making plays with the ball.

As a starter he is on the ideal team for his game - he plays with three outstanding shooters and a pass-first point guard.

He is the exact opposite of Westbrook, who creates nearly all of his offense himself.

[Bahku]

I can't think of two players who are more different.

Bradley's offense consists entirely of finding open spots underneath or in the corners, while other players are making plays with the ball.

As a starter he is on the ideal team for his game - he plays with three outstanding shooters and a pass-first point guard.

He is the exact opposite of Westbrook, who creates nearly all of his offense himself.

Nicely put, (TP) ... Bradley is his own player, and not remotely a "Westbrook" kind of baller.

He's much better defensively and a great deal less selfish at the other end.

He's also eons ahead in maturity, and carries a much smaller, (and less arrogant), chip on his shoulder.

Russell's an amazing scorer, but I'd rather have a team-first and more well-rounded, complete player like Avery, sans the "God's gift to hoops" attitude that Westbrook rocks.

[GreenFaith1819]

Avery Bradley will be the next Sidney Moncrief, IMO.

I think he'll be a better shooter from deep than Sidney, though.

He needs to continue to hang his hat on Defense, though. That's where, while Russell is a great player, I'd shy away from comparing AB to him in that regard.

I've revised my earlier comparison of him to Joe Dumars. He's a bit more explosive than Dumars.

With that being said, I'm holding off officially crowning the young man until he plays a big role in getting us to June.

Do that, and he's the next Sidney, to me. There are unfortunately very little footage on youtube with Sidney, but he was a GREAT player on those 80's bucks teams.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/moncrsi01.html

Just stay humble, AB. Don't read this blog , and just do your best to get this team to June.

          Honors
1977-78 NCAA AP All-America (3rd)
1978-79 NCAA AP All-America (1st)
1981-82 NBA All-Defensive (2nd)
1981-82 NBA All-NBA (2nd)
1982-83 NBA All-Defensive (1st)
1982-83 NBA All-NBA (1st)
1983-84 NBA All-Defensive (1st)
1983-84 NBA All-NBA (2nd)
1984-85 NBA All-Defensive (1st)
1984-85 NBA All-NBA (2nd)
1985-86 NBA All-Defensive (1st)
1985-86 NBA All-NBA (2nd)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex32mZDLfD8

Nearly same height..same build...yep, he's Sidney, to me.

[LooseCannon]

Russell Westbrook is way too much of a chucker to be a good comparison to Bradley.  When you factor in three-point shooting, the increasingly popular comparison to a possible next Joe Dumars makes more sense as a description of Bradley's upside.  Bradley probably won't be that good, but I question the judgment of anyone who completely rules out the possibility.

[Atzar]

I hesitate to compare him to Westbrook.  Russell is arguably a fringe top ten player this year, so that's an unfair comparison.  Having said that, I do think that Bradley has a lot of potential beyond what he's displaying right now.  I actually do believe that he can create his own shot, simply by virtue of his quickness and leaping ability.  When his handle catches up (and by all reports he's working his tail off on it), it'll be fun to watch. 

In terms of size and athletic ability, I'd compare him to Monta Ellis.  Monta is a better scorer (and more of a chucker) than I think Avery will ever be, but on the other side Monta isn't the defender that Bradley is either (although I do think Ellis is better than his reputation in that category).

I have to say, though, that I'm just thrilled that he's developed to the point where we're having this discussion.  Avery Bradley is establishing himself as a solid complementary piece going forward.

[rayallen1934]

premature

some of you dont know anything about ball.

He has been great. I also honestly believe he has the second best shooting form on the team, actually him and garnett are about the same, Bradley has a nice form on his shot..second or third to Ray

But this is the Bradley who nobody cares about. Hes not even called an option, hes free to roam right now and hes left open. Thats why hes taking so many corner threes.

Has he even taken a three from anywhere but the corner?

Im not taking anything away from the kid, hes proven me wrong. I also know how players develop and how players eventually get scouted and zeroed in on.

Bradley has done one thing, build his confidence, other teams/ players dont believe it yet, so they sag off, let him shoot, and pretty much let him do what he wants.

His ball handling is very bad right now, people dont mention his turnovers now because we all love how he has blossomed but the ball handling is not there. Although It will get better.

He is also barely 6'1, maybe 6'1.5 and his body isnt exactly build. Also will improve though.

Avery is a [dang] good player. I believe he can be a starter, but he will soon have to prove all of this. Right now its fine to think hes a starter, but when hes put in that position for good, thats where eventually he will have to step it up, because the love hes getting now for blossoming will be gone, and we will expect bigger things.

[Galeto]

Avery as the next Sidney Moncrief?  I never saw Sidney Moncrief play but checking out his stats and hearing about what a great player he was, a perhaps deserving Hall of Famer, I think that's a bit too optimistic.

My Avery comparison is a shorter Jason Richardson who plays better defense.  They're both below-average ballhandlers for their position, both are good shooters off the dribble coming off screens with terrific elevation in their shot (and assuming Bradley is a legitimately good 3-point shooter) both can shoot threes.  Bradley hasn't yet shown he can hit threes from anywhere besides the corners but it's possible.  Bradley's a better cutter, Richardson a better post player and finisher around the basket but there aren't many like them who are 1) elite athletes 2) poor ballhandling guards 3) very good shooters.

[Fafnir]

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.

So far this year he's rebounded like ray Allen. Which is well below average for a guard.

[alajet]

Avery as the next Sidney Moncrief?  I never saw Sidney Moncrief play but checking out his stats and hearing about what a great player he was, a perhaps deserving Hall of Famer, I think that's a bit too optimistic.

My Avery comparison is a shorter Jason Richardson who plays better defense.  They're both below-average ballhandlers for their position, both are good shooters off the dribble coming off screens with terrific elevation in their shot (and assuming Bradley is a legitimately good 3-point shooter) both can shoot threes.  Bradley hasn't yet shown he can hit threes from anywhere besides the corners but it's possible.  Bradley's a better cutter, Richardson a better post player and finisher around the basket but there aren't many like them who are 1) elite athletes 2) poor ballhandling guards 3) very good shooters.

I don't really understand this 'cutter' term. If someone showed respect for Avery's offense, he wouldn't be getting those.
But he has shown consistency with his corner threes, which is really a nice step forward in his offense. Things will get tougher from now on, especially in the playoffs, but he has the confidence to hold his own in the big stage. I'm hopeful, to say the least
Also, mentioning Avery and J-Rich as elite athletes is devaluation of J-Rich's athleticism, which, at his peak, was on par with Vince Carter.

Back on topic, I don't think Avery will be anywhere near Westbrook. Westbrook is a whole lot more explosive. That said, Westbrook isn't your typical PG, with a very poor assist to turnover ratio and high numbers in shooting attempts. All in all, I'm not a big fan of his style, so, if Avery turns into a Bruce Bowen-type player (excellent defender fitting within a championship team and has the ability to knock down the three), I'll be really satisfied with his development.

[Fafnir]

Good cutting off the ball will get points no matter how much a defense respects you. Either for you or for a teammate when your man ignores his help responsiblities.

[Rondo2287]

Good cutting off the ball will get points no matter how much a defense respects you. Either for you or for a teammate when your man ignores his help responsiblities.

This is very true, TP.  This is kinda what we were sold on with Marquis when he came here, but I have seen Avery do it much better than Quis ever did.

[slamtheking]

not seeing how AB is comparable to Westbrook.

RW is the more accomplished scorer and probably will remain so.  I do think AB will continue to improve to become a very solid, consistent scorer.

AB is the far superior defender and will definitely remain so.

RW is the better passer and ballhandler but I think AB has the potential to get close to RW's level in these skills.

two different players.  I think AB could become the better all-around player before their careers are over but RW will be the better scorer.