Let's Talk About Our Starting 2 Guard...

[RJ87]

A one Mr. Avery Bradley.

I like the kid a great deal. His defense is top notch, but what really sells me on him is his demeanor. You can tell he wants to win and understands that he has to work hard and sacrifice to make it happen. He tried to play through 2 bad shoulders to be there with us in the playoffs. That's commendable.

With that said, I have had a ton of hesitancy about AB being the full-time shooting guard, most of it is due to his lack of height. So I went through a list of current NBA 2 guards. Joe Johnson ranks on the high end of the scale at 6'7", 240 lbs. And then you a guy like our very own Jason Terry who has found a way to impact the court despite his small stature. Then I found a name that jumped out at me: Eric Gordon.

Now, I know EG and AB are completely different players due to differing skillsets. But their draft combine height measurements are exactly the same: 6'2" without shoes, 6'3.25" with shoes. No one ever questions whether or not EG is too small when regarding him as a SG on the rise/future All-Star. The difference is EG outweighs AB by about 40 lbs. So is it that simple? Should AB be bulking up to better handle the position? The SG spot seems to be getting smaller, so is it a moot point?

I guess what I'm getting around to is: how much will AB be limited by his size (or lack thereof)? Does size really matter?

[lightspeed5]

[Who]

Avery Bradley's physical toughness in defending bigger guards was very impressive.

I'm not sure he needs to bulk up all that much more since he has already shown a good capacity to defend guys bigger than him. A small bit more weight would surely help but a large amount might end up hurting Bradley (his quickness, agility, explosiveness) more than it aids him.

[rayallen1934]

Avery Bradley...the next Eric Snow

[2short]

Not sure if he'll be starting at beginning of season due to shoulder surgery BUT Jason Terry has no problem coming off bench and as I've stated in previous threads our starting backcourt next year of rajon rondo and avery bradley will both be on all nba defensive teams.  THAT is impressive (and a run-on sentence) 

[OmarSekou]

Eric Gordon might be short but with his rainbow shot and quick release he isn't going to get blocked. He'll get points regardless of whose on him and not relied upon to be an elite defender. His size disadvantage doesn't hurt his game.

Bradley is on the other end of the spectrum. He's in there for defense. If he can't guard some of the taller or stronger guys, he's a liability on the court. He's not nearly as polished as EG so he leaves himself open to get blocked or outrebounded too.

I think he'll be solid, but his height does hurt him.

[GronkSpike]

[RJ87]

Avery Bradley's physical toughness in defending bigger guards was very impressive.

I'm not sure he needs to bulk up all that much more since he has already shown a good capacity to defend guys bigger than him. A small bit more weight would surely help but a large amount might end up hurting Bradley (his quickness, agility, explosiveness) more than it aids him.

I agree about his physical toughness, but I also wonder how much d'ing up bigger guys for most of the season will wear on him. I remember hesitated a lot about adding bulk because he feared it'd take away his speed and explosiveness, but he ended adding about 10 lbs of muscle and he's been fine. At just 21, AB will naturally add bulk to his frame - he's currently listed as 180 lbs, I could see him getting to 190. 

[lightspeed5]

d wades flop there makes me really hate floppers.

[j804]

d wades flop there makes me really hate floppers.

I know D Wade does flop but not seeing it here, it was a clean block and momentum just carried him to the floor

[Celtics18]

Here comes the corniest cliche of the day:  "You can't measure heart and toughness."  

It may be corny, but I think that adage applies perfectly to Avery Bradley.  He's going to be a pit bull out there, even as a slightly undersized two guard.  

[Tr1boy]

Avery Bradley is our SG for the long future.

I don't care if he is 6'2, he has a 6'8 reach , plus can really jump to extend this reach to be able to guard any SG taller than him.

The only thing we need is for him to be healthy. He can't have shoulder problems again like he did this past playoffs. If we had him, we would of had that much better chance to beat the heat

[Who]

Avery Bradley's physical toughness in defending bigger guards was very impressive.

I'm not sure he needs to bulk up all that much more since he has already shown a good capacity to defend guys bigger than him. A small bit more weight would surely help but a large amount might end up hurting Bradley (his quickness, agility, explosiveness) more than it aids him.

I agree about his physical toughness, but I also wonder how much d'ing up bigger guys for most of the season will wear on him. I remember hesitated a lot about adding bulk because he feared it'd take away his speed and explosiveness, but he ended adding about 10 lbs of muscle and he's been fine. At just 21, AB will naturally add bulk to his frame - he's currently listed as 180 lbs, I could see him getting to 190. 

I'd say Bradley is already in the 195lbs to 205lbs range.

They don't update those measurement listings. The 180lbs is two years old.

[Snakehead]

d wades flop there makes me really hate floppers.

I know D Wade does flop but not seeing it here, it was a clean block and momentum just carried him to the floor

Yeah if you get blocked like that on a full extension you are going to hit the deck, your whole balance is thrown off.

[ScottHow]

d wades flop there makes me really hate floppers.

I know D Wade does flop but not seeing it here, it was a clean block and momentum just carried him to the floor

Yeah if you get blocked like that on a full extension you are going to hit the deck, your whole balance is thrown off.

While this is true, Wade does hit the floor on every single drive attempt that he does.