Jackie Macmullan: KG is coming back to Boston next year

[LarBrd33]

I would be very unhappy if we traded Bradley, he's so young and is only going to get better. If we move him I'd want someone who is more not less established than him.

I wouldn't care if we traded Bradley.  Kid has spunk and is a good defender, but his ceiling is "poor man's Jason Terry"... Only so much you can get out of a 6'2 180 pound shooting guard.

Jason Terry wishes he had Avery Bradley athleticism and defensive ability. I'm not saying he's going to be a superstar, but I take a "poor man's" Jason Terry as an insult.

You shouldn't take it as an insult.  Bradley will never been the scorer that Terry is.  I agree Bradley has more defensive intensity, but I doubt he'll have as good a career as Terry has.  I already noticed issues with playing Rondo and Bradley together... usually it meant Rondo was stuck guarding the shooting guard.  Against Philly, for example, I noticed Rondo stuck guarding a guy a half foot taller than him (Evan Turner).  The size issue is the same thing that held Terry back from being a major star... Still, he's a former 6th man of the year, NCAA champion and NBA champion.  Bradley will be lucky to have half the career Terry has had.

I disagree. Bradley and Terry are totally different players. With major minutes, Bradley can average 15+ pts per game with his slashing ability and his improving jumper. Couple that with his defense and I'd take that over Jason Terry everyday and twice on Sunday.

As far as the height issue - I admit, I've had concerns about in the past but the SG position is not exactly cookie-cutter specific height-wise. Yes, Evan is 6'7" and we had issues guarding him, but that's not the standard. I think Bradley can get stronger and guard bigger players (his 6'7" wingspan can help with that as well). I just don't think it's fair to sell him short at the tender age of 21. I don't know what his ceiling is, but he puts in the work and it's starting to show.

I agree with you guys to a certain extent.  Bradley has potential.  But it's just potential right now.  I'm not banking our future on a 6'2, 180 pound shooting guard who had some decent shooting games during a half-month of play.  Maybe Terry is a bad comparison... maybe "poor man's midget Tony Allen without the mental lapses" is a better comparison.  And although I wouldn't trade "poor man's midget Tony Allen without the mental lapses" just for the sake of trading him... I WOULD consider trading "poor man's midget Tony Allen without the mental lapses" as part of a larger package if it meant getting a guy like Cousins or a top 5 pick.  No question I'd pull the trigger on that. 

I think we need to roll the dice on a franchise player to pair with Rondo for the future.  I'd be thrilled if our current franchise player, Kevin Garnett, returned for another season... but at his age we need to start planting seeds for the future.  Bradley is destined to be a role player, I think.  If we can land a major piece utilizing him as a trade chip, I'm all for it.

Why the comparison with Tony Allen when Bradley is far more dynamic on offense? It is because Bradley has already shown he is an elite defender. It isn't just potential. Bradley has also shown that the team is effective with him playing. This was often not the case with TA here.

Trading Avery for a pick would be trading him for a guy likely only 1 year younger or the same age as Avery who has proven much less about an ability to compete in the NBA than Avery has.

This comment is inexcusable:

"who had some decent shooting games during a half-month of play"

I'm sorry but what are you are talking about? Avery shot over 50% from the field 3 months in a row to end the seaon. He had a .498 FG%, and .407 3P% FOR THE SEASON. Please confirm your opinions before trying to convince others. Don't just make stuff up.

Would it be nice if he had 2 more inches? Yes. We can easily find 6'4" stiffs if people like.

Bradley is more dynamic than Tony Allen on offense?  Oh... Ok

He shot 50% for 3 months?... ummm... ok.  I guess we are counting the 2 months that he averaged 5 points or something? 

I'll give you that he had a great stretch from late march to late April in which he averaged about 15 points.  In the playoffs he averaged 7 points on 36% shooting, 22% from three and 66% from the line.  I fail to see how I'm wrong.  For half a month (from April 13th to APril 20th... more like a week) he was a double digit scorer and shooting lights out.  I don't put much stock into the offensive ability of guys who average 7 points for a season.  Yes, he showed signs... but Delonte West once shot like 66% FG and 60% from three for like 3 months.  For what it's worth, I think Memphis gets more out of Tony Allen (offensively and defensively) than the Celtics got out of Avery Bradley.  Tony has a couple inches and about 40 pounds on Avery too.  It's a fair comparison.  RIGHT NOW, Avery is a poor man's midget Tony Allen WITHOUT the mental lapses (Tony always seemed like he was battling attention deficit disorder out there).  That might change in the future.  Might not.

Coincidentally in Tony's 2nd season... he too had a nice scoring stretch in April... averaging a Bradley-esque 14 points on 56% shooting while averaging 2.3 steals for the entire month.  It happens. 

Any of you remember Tony in year 3?  http://espn.go.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/2367/year/2007/tony-allen ... 14 game stretch where he put up 16, 30, 11, 17, 12, 18, 13, 20, 13, 22, 22, 20, 21 and 19 points ... pulled down rebounds, got assists all the while averaging 2.5 steals.  Then he missed the rest of the season with an injury... never reached those "dynamic scoring" heights again.  Happens.  Will it happen to Avery?  Dunno.  Do I care?  Not if there's a trade on the table for a top 5 draft pick or Cousins (neither of which are going to happen anyhow).

Go KG!

[cdiraimo]

Avery Bradley is a 1st team All NBA Defensive player in the making, and he is 21. He is not getting traded unless it is for an All-Star.

I don't see why we would trade our two picks at 20-21 to move up to 14-16, unless it is to get Austin Rivers. That is the only thing that makes sense.

At the beginning I was all for trading up for Rivers.. its a good story if he plays for his dad sure but this dude isn't worth trading up for.. look at his game he looks to score 1st 2nd and 3rd.. he reminds me of Lou williams plus a couple of inches. Nasty with the ball in his hands and can create/score at will but will never be a franchise type player. Borderline all star if he is lucky.  And btw I am all for moving up but our 2 picks better get us higher then 14-16; we HAVE to get into that 11ish range for one of the "studs with issues", I'm looking at you PJIII, that others get scared away from to actually have a shot at one of them.

And oo yeah, Bradley is basically untouchable unless we get an All-star back in return or a top 5 pick. PERIOD. This kid is money and will hands down be a 2nd team all defender at the very least next year. The dude is already being mentioned as one of the best defenders in the league and if we have any hope of staying competitive were going to need to guard Wade every single year; AB is essential.

[cdiraimo]

"Bradley is more dynamic than Tony Allen on offense?  Oh... Ok

He shot 50% for 3 months?... ummm... ok.  I guess we are counting the 2 months that he averaged 5 points or something? 

I'll give you that he had a great stretch from late march to late April in which he averaged about 15 points.  In the playoffs he averaged 7 points on 36% shooting, 22% from three and 66% from the line.  I fail to see how I'm wrong.  For half a month (from April 13th to APril 20th... more like a week) he was a double digit scorer and shooting lights out.  I don't put much stock into the offensive ability of guys who average 7 points for a season.  Yes, he showed signs... but Delonte West once shot like 66% FG and 60% from three for like 3 months.  For what it's worth, I think Memphis gets more out of Tony Allen (offensively and defensively) than the Celtics got out of Avery Bradley.  Tony has a couple inches and about 40 pounds on Avery too.  It's a fair comparison.  RIGHT NOW, Avery is a poor man's midget Tony Allen WITHOUT the mental lapses (Tony always seemed like he was battling attention deficit disorder out there).  That might change in the future.  Might not."

Lol Tony Allen is AWFULLLLLL on the offensive side of the ball.  Do you not remember all of the boneheaded plays he use to make. And I think it is very unfair to compare AB who has played 2 seasons... but actually like 1 b/c he never played last year.. to Allen who has been in the league for 5-7 (I'm not wasting time looking that up specifically) and is still inept on offense lol. AB is going to blow him away in all aspects offensively in 1 more year. And cut the man some slack in his first playoffs with doc completely changing the rotation once Ray came back and messin with AB's flow.  The kid is brimming with potential and next year is that crucial year 3. I say he makes the huge jump even with shoulder surgery in his way.

[green7]

i wouldn't mind seeing KG,bass,GS,pietrus,ray(not sure because he really needs to pick it up on defense) back next season ,adding jeff green and a couple new additions + draft picks it can work out well for the team maybe find a legit center that can start with KG and we have another chance because for now on boston and maimi are the team to beat in the east and will be the number #1 and 2# seeds next season.

unless JJ bulks up and add more muscle, i think he should be traded for a legit back up PG on draft night.  

[GreenFaith1819]

This just makes SO MUCH sense

Just do it like San Antonio, BOS!

Keep KG, Ray and Paul fresh...and that starts with KG coming back next year.

Build the RIGHT WAY around those three...just shore THOSE THREE up...just like San Antonio. BOS could keep this going for another year or two, depending on health.

We already have AB coming back...Rondo is challenging CP3 for best PG rights...bring back J Green, perhaps Wilcox...Stiemer...draft wisely...

I hope KG doesn't retire until Tim Duncan does. I'd LOVE for those two to leave the game together.

I envision the same if we get a full training camp under our belt, have the young guys confident and actually contribute keeping us fresh (Bradley, Green, whoever else we pickup), get a backup for KG and real center and if Rondo can work on and nail down that free throw midrange jumper a la Parker we can be scary.

I am most stoked about the trio of Bradley/Green/Rondo and KG is the cherry on top.

Yep.

And with a NORMAL season for a change, Paul-KG-Ray would get NORMAL rest between games...none of this back-back-back mess.

Just gotta convince Ray to come back, now.

DON'T GO, RAY RAY!!

[LarBrd33]

Lol Tony Allen is AWFULLLLLL on the offensive side of the ball.  Do you not remember all of the boneheaded plays he use to make. And I think it is very unfair to compare AB who has played 2 seasons... but actually like 1 b/c he never played last year.. to Allen who has been in the league for 5-7 (I'm not wasting time looking that up specifically) and is still inept on offense lol. AB is going to blow him away in all aspects offensively in 1 more year. And cut the man some slack in his first playoffs with doc completely changing the rotation once Ray came back and messin with AB's flow.  The kid is brimming with potential and next year is that crucial year 3. I say he makes the huge jump even with shoulder surgery in his way.

Maybe.  Maybe not.  Bradley shot 34% as a rookie and 36% in these playoffs.  Aside from that hot stretch in April, I don't know if he will ever be a consistent shooter.  Again, I saw Delonte shoot something like 66% and 60% from three for about 3 months once... temporarily believed he was the greatest shooter alive.   I've seen Tony Allen have longer and more "dynamic" scoring stretches than Avery displayed in April.  I'd love for Bradley to turn into a star.  I'm not banking on it, though.   

[Mencius]

No team in the top ten is stupid enough (now that the Nets have dropped out) to trade a lottery pick for a 33-yo on the downside of his career and two 20-picks.

Huh?

Four or five lottery teams would jump at the chance to turn an overrated prospect such as Barnes (or Andre Drummond) into an All-Star and two later firsts. Let's hope Ainge is smarter than that.

He'll be 35 next season (birthdate October).  No team not on the cusp of a championship would give up a lottery pick for a 35 year old.  That's ridiculous.

[cman88]

Te difference is bradley always had a nice midrange game in college.

I don't think its any coincidence it began to leave him as his shoulder got worse

[guava_wrench]

Aside from that hot stretch in April, I don't know if he will ever be a consistent shooter.  Again, I saw Delonte shoot something like 66% and 60% from three for about 3 months once... temporarily believed he was the greatest shooter alive.

Please look at his actual stats. Bradly shot 49% from the season, 40% from 3, and shot over 50% for 3 months. Considering he barely played last season and played the playoffs with a separated shoulder, the best data we have to go on is this season where he was a good shooter.

People can always choose to be cynical and remember what they wish, but you are grossly overstating your case and you cherry pick stats. Based on the data we have, Bradley looks to be an effective scorer in the NBA. I do not believe a single season is enough to be certain for any player, but considering his age and the high expectations for him coming out of high school, it seems  quite reasonable to expect an even better offensive performance next season.

And as I have said elsewhere, he managed to put up impressive stats while also contributing greatly to wins.

[Mr October]

Lol Tony Allen is AWFULLLLLL on the offensive side of the ball.  Do you not remember all of the boneheaded plays he use to make. And I think it is very unfair to compare AB who has played 2 seasons... but actually like 1 b/c he never played last year.. to Allen who has been in the league for 5-7 (I'm not wasting time looking that up specifically) and is still inept on offense lol. AB is going to blow him away in all aspects offensively in 1 more year. And cut the man some slack in his first playoffs with doc completely changing the rotation once Ray came back and messin with AB's flow.  The kid is brimming with potential and next year is that crucial year 3. I say he makes the huge jump even with shoulder surgery in his way.

Maybe.  Maybe not.  Bradley shot 34% as a rookie and 36% in these playoffs.  Aside from that hot stretch in April, I don't know if he will ever be a consistent shooter.  Again, I saw Delonte shoot something like 66% and 60% from three for about 3 months once... temporarily believed he was the greatest shooter alive.   I've seen Tony Allen have longer and more "dynamic" scoring stretches than Avery displayed in April.  I'd love for Bradley to turn into a star.  I'm not banking on it, though.   

I wouldn't read much into Bradley's shooting % in the playoffs. He had 2 bad shoulders AND it was his first time in the bright lights.

Yet at the same time we can't judge his career based on half a season. Lets see what he has next year. Right now he is a valuable role player, and the Celtics look better when he is on the court and healthy.

[Mr October]

Back to the original topic:

I would love to see KG come back for 1 more year. Its not very often that a big man comes along with those kinds of skills, body and devotion to the game.

It would be amazing if he came back on a discount so that the C's could have more money to reload around him. His life would be so much more fun with a legit starter quality big man along side him.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Back to the original topic:

I would love to see KG come back for 1 more year. Its not very often that a big man comes along with those kinds of skills, body and devotion to the game.

It would be amazing if he came back on a discount so that the C's could have more money to reload around him. His life would be so much more fun with a legit starter quality big man along side him.

amen

[BballTim]

Back to the original topic:

I would love to see KG come back for 1 more year. Its not very often that a big man comes along with those kinds of skills, body and devotion to the game.

It would be amazing if he came back on a discount so that the C's could have more money to reload around him. His life would be so much more fun with a legit starter quality big man along side him.

  I wouldn't mind giving him a 2 year deal.

[Ocie1]

great

[Bahku]

Whatever the viability of Jackie's sources, I've felt the same all along, that KG and Rondo are the two sure bets for next season. I don't see that changing, except under very unusual circumstances.

I felt pretty sure about Paul for a while, but it's obvious now that he's expendable ... man, I hope that doesn't happen, as I can't imagine seeing the Truth in another jersey, playing against us on the parquet.

I hardly ever post but more like to read people's thoughts on this blog... but wow saying Paul is expendable??? Where has that come from.. the man is playing good so far this post season he killed it against Atlanta with everyone raving about him. He is now playing against/guarding the best player in the league, what do you expect, and he still had 20+ points last night.  This team is old and the schedule sucks right now... how is he expendable and who do you even think could replace his production the C's could get next season? the FA market is horrendous.
Reckless comment

I agree with you, buddy.  Don't be afraid to post on this forum.  Speak up more often. 

Paul is playing hurt.  LeBron shot 35% last night and Paul dropped 20+... you can't undervalue Pierce here.  Even at his age, he's our most consistent and capable scorer.  Frankly, he's the only player on this team able to create his own shot.  I have him ranked below KG and above Rondo in terms of overall "importance" on this squad.  When Rondo misses games, Paul steps up and we usually win.  When Pierce misses games... we got brutalized.

That said, supposedly we traded Paul at the deadline (when we were looking hopeless) to Brooklyn for cap space and their pick (which ended up being #6).   That's pretty interesting to me... a top 6 pick and shedding his 15 mil in cap space.  Thinking "big picture" that could have been a major deal.  But supposedly Pierce's agent blocked the deal from happening or something.   Now Paul has dropped rumors about maybe retiring.  I don't think Paul has any interest in playing elsewhere... seems he'd rather retire than play with a different team.  Don't ask me to predict this offseason... anything can happen.  Smart money is on Ainge just re-signing everyone and hanging onto Paul since the guys we have are the best available free agents anyways.

Guess you completely misunderstood my post as well, so I'll re-post my reply:

Whatever the viability of Jackie's sources, I've felt the same all along, that KG and Rondo are the two sure bets for next season. I don't see that changing, except under very unusual circumstances.

I felt pretty sure about Paul for a while, but it's obvious now that he's expendable ... man, I hope that doesn't happen, as I can't imagine seeing the Truth in another jersey, playing against us on the parquet.

I hardly ever post but more like to read people's thoughts on this blog... but wow saying Paul is expendable??? Where has that come from.. the man is playing good so far this post season he killed it against Atlanta with everyone raving about him. He is now playing against/guarding the best player in the league, what do you expect, and he still had 20+ points last night.  This team is old and the schedule sucks right now... how is he expendable and who do you even think could replace his production the C's could get next season? the FA market is horrendous.
Reckless comment

Jeez, You might want to make sure of people's intent and perspective before you call their comments "reckless" ... you completely took this the wrong way.

As anyone here who knows me is aware, Paul Pierce is my favorite player, bar none, and I in NO WAY meant he is expendable as far as I am concerned.

I simply meant he is expendable as far as management is concerned, as they already tried to trade him at least twice this season.

I hope, as much as anyone on this blog that the Truth retires as a Celtic, and that the organization does whatever is needed to insure that end.

But after the moves Danny has already made, it's clear that he will trade Paul in a second if he feels it's for the best, in his opinion.

Wow ... seriously can't believe anyone would get that interpretation from what I wrote. But it's always best, especially in this cyber world of misunderstanding, to make sure of another's meaning before attacking their statements.

Thankfully, Most others on this thread knew what I was saying, so I know it wasn't my phrasing, though I apologize if I said it in a way that would make anyone think I was dissing The Truth, (the absolute LAST thing I would ever do on this blog, or anywhere, for that matter).