He is already a top 10-20 talent in the league in terms of his defense. He shows every indication of being 1st/2nd team All-Defense several times during his career.

If he can be just an average offensive player, he will be good enough to start on a championship-caliber team.

I see no reason why this will not happen. His cutting ability and mid-range game look promising. I see him as a Dumars type, with slightly worse offense and slightly better D.

Looks like his High school stats for Findlay Prep he averaged 18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals with shooting splits of 56%/39%/76%

As a Freshman at Texas he averaged 11.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals with shooting splits of 43%/37.5%/54.5% ...

As a rookie for the Celtics he averaged almost nothing... with splits of 34%/0%/50% ...

Then last year he had that HUGE month where he had outrageous shooting percentages that raised his overall season to 7.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.7 steals with outstanding (inflated?) splits of 50%/41%/80%

In the playoffs as a starter for 10 games he was back down to 6.7 points, 2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.8 steals with splits of 37%/22%/67%, but that maybe had something to do with his shoulder.  Could it also have had something to do with his shooting streak ending and teams finally having a chance to gameplan for him?

Bottom line:  Probably a mediocre shooter.  He's the same size as Jason Terry... maybe he can learn something from Terry on the offensive end.   Defensively, he showed promise in a very limited sample size, but he may run into the same trouble Terry ran into as a young player... it's hard for a guy that small to defend bigger guards.  Probably destined for a big bench role (think smaller Tony Allen without the mental lapses)... but I can understand why a lot of Celtic fans are gonzo about him.  He's the most exciting young prospect we've had since Gerald Green and Rondo.  Time will tell if he lives up to the hype.  MOst people have him already starting.  I currently have him 3rd on the depth chart behind Terry and Courtney Lee.  That could change.

People only hate on Bradley because they foolishly wrote him off way pre-maturely.

 

Yup.

The real issue is what can he contribute and how soon this upcoming season. I think low expectations are in order due to the nature of injury and time it will take to rehab. My understanding is he will not be in 'basketball shape' untill after the start of the season.

He is definitely at the bottom of any current Celtics depth chart of guards. Possibly even below guys like Christmas, Dooling and Pietrus asssuming any of them make the team. I do still have high hopes for the kid, I am just not confident he is fully back until next spring/summer.

I have the image of him stuffing Dwayne Wade burned into my brain.

No one has to suspend (dis)belief about anything.  The guy played well when Doc put him into the starting lineup.  If he didn't play well, Doc would have started someone else.  KG, PP, RR all stated how much AB improved and how much that helped the team.
Are those guys and Doc suspending (dis)belief too?  

Quote from: xmuscularghandix on July 21, 2012, 08:39:04 PM

Quote from: arambone on July 21, 2012, 07:37:11 PM

People only hate on Bradley because they foolishly wrote him off way pre-maturely.

 

Yup.

Nope

Nobody hates Bradley.  It's just easier for some people to suspend disbelief than others.  Personally, I see Bradley as a drastically undersized 6'2 180 pound shooting guard who just came off a season averaging 7 points and played aggressive defense.  Others squint their eyes and see a superstar.  In time he could end up being a serious factor... or he could end up being a quality player off the bench.  I think it's too soon to tell.

In the playoffs as a starter for 10 games he was back down to 6.7 points, 2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.8 steals with splits of 37%/22%/67%, but that maybe had something to do with his shoulder.  Could it also have had something to do with his shooting streak ending and teams finally having a chance to gameplan for him?

That's something that you would have to review game film to answer.  My perception from watching games at the time was that his shots were not being more strongly contested than in the regular season and that he was missing open shots that he was previously making.

Not being able to lift your arms above your shoulders tends to make most shots a bit more difficult.  Yeah, lets base our opinions on Avery's shooting ability on 10 games where he had two bad shoulders.  Are you guys serious?

Quote from: LooseCannon on July 21, 2012, 09:14:23 PM

Quote from: LarBrd33 on July 21, 2012, 07:41:32 PM

In the playoffs as a starter for 10 games he was back down to 6.7 points, 2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.8 steals with splits of 37%/22%/67%, but that maybe had something to do with his shoulder.  Could it also have had something to do with his shooting streak ending and teams finally having a chance to gameplan for him?

That's something that you would have to review game film to answer.  My perception from watching games at the time was that his shots were not being more strongly contested than in the regular season and that he was missing open shots that he was previously making.

the avery haters are truly remarkable specimens arent they.