Avery Bradley always could shoot and will continue to shoot well

[cman88]

I see alot of posts from Bradley doubters hesitant that he can regain the form he was playing at last year..

but, besides the cutting and the defense, what was it that really boosted his scoring? it was the fact that he finally found his mid-range game and his shot became money.

now its understandable, because there were times last year where he looked like he couldnt hit a barn...but IMO that had alot to do with confidence. even Doc and Pierce mentioned he could shoot in practice.

but anyone who has watched him in college, his mid-range game was always a part of his game..

heres some scouting reports I pulled

"Bradley's biggest asset offensively is his ability to shoot from the outside ... He can hit from a catch and shoot position, and looks beyond comfortable pulling up off the dribble ... His high release and strong elevation, along with his quick first step allow him to create just enough separation to get off a shot "

and
"He has one of the most pure jumpshots of anyone in his class … Gets off the ground quickly with great elevation, making his shot very difficult to contest … Shooting off the dribble is his forte, as he is always under control and well balanced … Defenders have to play up on him because of his shooting, which allows him to get into the lane"


add that and his work ethic(improving his free throws, 3 point shooting etc.) and assuming his confidence doesnt go off a cliff, and I think Bradley is going to be just fine

[Boris Badenov]

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.

[arambone]

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

 

[LarBrd33]

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.

[arambone]

"In the playoffs he was back down to 37%/22%/67%, but that maybe had something to do with his shoulder."

You mean the two chronically dislocating shoulders might have affected his shooting?

Gee, could be.

[xmuscularghandix]

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

 

Yup.

[LarBrd33]

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.

[billysan]

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.

[blink]

Nice that you throw in that it might have been something to do with his shoulder.  Give me a break, the kid was giving everything he had with not 1 but 2 bad shoulders.  Do you think you could even lift your pencil if you were going through what AB did?

C'mon, the guy played really well after being inserted into the lineup.  He exceeded everyone's expectations and most importantly brought great energy to the court.  Nothing that you mentioned really proves he won't be a great shooter.  The sample size in the playoff games is so small that I would question its validity for these purposes.

I don't think anyone is expecting him to be a 50%/40%/90% shooter.

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?

[blink]

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?  

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.

[KCattheStripe]

Nobody hates Bradley.  It's just easier for some people to suspend disbelief than others. 

And some people insist on suspending their belief way too long.

[LooseCannon]

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.

[blink]

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?

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.

[lightspeed5]

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?

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.

[Celtics4ever]

I think he is horrible as a PG but very decent as a SG on offense.   Defensively he is excellent.   I think his shot is ok but he did not shoot well the first half of the season.  Injury definitely affects one's shot.