dont forget about avery bradley!

[rayallen1934]

Bradley didn't earn a starting spot last year. He played well for 2 months once our starting SG got injured.

Especially with AB possibly taking a while to recover theres no reason to just give him his spot. He still needs to earn it.

  Bradley clearly won the starting sg spot last year. What would he have had to do to "earn" it?

  And are you also saying that Bass didn't earn a starting spot because he started when JO was injured?

He didnt win it, Ray got injured, and Bradley had a good stretch of games, but more importantly the team won games

its not like Ray Allen sucked , he got injured and got shafted (which is also why hes gone)

[BballTim]

Bradley didn't earn a starting spot last year. He played well for 2 months once our starting SG got injured.

Especially with AB possibly taking a while to recover theres no reason to just give him his spot. He still needs to earn it.

  Bradley clearly won the starting sg spot last year. What would he have had to do to "earn" it?

  And are you also saying that Bass didn't earn a starting spot because he started when JO was injured?

He didnt win it, Ray got injured, and Bradley had a good stretch of games, but more importantly the team won games

its not like Ray Allen sucked , he got injured and got shafted (which is also why hes gone)

  He got into the starting lineup because of Ray's injury, but he held on to the spot because of his play.

[rayallen34]

Bradley didn't earn a starting spot last year. He played well for 2 months once our starting SG got injured.

Especially with AB possibly taking a while to recover theres no reason to just give him his spot. He still needs to earn it.

  Bradley clearly won the starting sg spot last year. What would he have had to do to "earn" it?

  And are you also saying that Bass didn't earn a starting spot because he started when JO was injured?

He didnt win it, Ray got injured, and Bradley had a good stretch of games, but more importantly the team won games

its not like Ray Allen sucked , he got injured and got shafted (which is also why hes gone)

  He got into the starting lineup because of Ray's injury, but he held on to the spot because of his play.

I disagree somewhat..

he held the spot because they were winning games...now how much you want to put that on him being the main reason, thats up to you...

to me the team started playing better, Garnett was unreal, and Bass was inserted...Again wether you wanna credit Bradley with all this is all up to you the fan


He didnt hold the spot because of his play IMO, if the team was 6-8 before Ray returned, it would have been RAY's spot again but they didnt, they won games and Doc made the decision to start him and bench Ray which ultimately caused Ray to leave wether people deny it or not.

[CelticsFan9]

Bradley didn't earn a starting spot last year. He played well for 2 months once our starting SG got injured.

Especially with AB possibly taking a while to recover theres no reason to just give him his spot. He still needs to earn it.

  Bradley clearly won the starting sg spot last year. What would he have had to do to "earn" it?

  And are you also saying that Bass didn't earn a starting spot because he started when JO was injured?

He didnt win it, Ray got injured, and Bradley had a good stretch of games, but more importantly the team won games

its not like Ray Allen sucked , he got injured and got shafted (which is also why hes gone)

  He got into the starting lineup because of Ray's injury, but he held on to the spot because of his play.

I disagree somewhat..

he held the spot because they were winning games...now how much you want to put that on him being the main reason, thats up to you...

to me the team started playing better, Garnett was unreal, and Bass was inserted...Again wether you wanna credit Bradley with all this is all up to you the fan


He didnt hold the spot because of his play IMO, if the team was 6-8 before Ray returned, it would have been RAY's spot again but they didnt, they won games and Doc made the decision to start him and bench Ray which ultimately caused Ray to leave wether people deny it or not.

KG had been playing "unreal" for the entire second half of the season(post ASB).  Brandon Bass had been solid all year.  Nobody is crediting Bradley to their play because they did it themselves.

You know why they were winning games?  Bradley not only played better defense than Ray, but he also provided a more versatile offensive game(cutting, driving, shooting).  So when Doc has to choose between Bradley and Ray, he's gotta go with Avery.  So yes, winning helped Bradley get the spot, but his play was integral to our success.

Lastly, there are numerous reasons why Ray Allen left our team.  I'd argue that his issues with Rondo were a much bigger problem than losing his starting spot, but I don't think I want to get into an argument about Ray with you.

[rayallen34]

Bradley didn't earn a starting spot last year. He played well for 2 months once our starting SG got injured.

Especially with AB possibly taking a while to recover theres no reason to just give him his spot. He still needs to earn it.

  Bradley clearly won the starting sg spot last year. What would he have had to do to "earn" it?

  And are you also saying that Bass didn't earn a starting spot because he started when JO was injured?

He didnt win it, Ray got injured, and Bradley had a good stretch of games, but more importantly the team won games

its not like Ray Allen sucked , he got injured and got shafted (which is also why hes gone)

  He got into the starting lineup because of Ray's injury, but he held on to the spot because of his play.

I disagree somewhat..

he held the spot because they were winning games...now how much you want to put that on him being the main reason, thats up to you...

to me the team started playing better, Garnett was unreal, and Bass was inserted...Again wether you wanna credit Bradley with all this is all up to you the fan


He didnt hold the spot because of his play IMO, if the team was 6-8 before Ray returned, it would have been RAY's spot again but they didnt, they won games and Doc made the decision to start him and bench Ray which ultimately caused Ray to leave wether people deny it or not.

KG had been playing "unreal" for the entire second half of the season(post ASB).  Brandon Bass had been solid all year.  Nobody is crediting Bradley to their play because they did it themselves.

You know why they were winning games?  Bradley not only played better defense than Ray, but he also provided a more versatile offensive game(cutting, driving, shooting).  So when Doc has to choose between Bradley and Ray, he's gotta go with Avery.  So yes, winning helped Bradley get the spot, but his play was integral to our success.

Lastly, there are numerous reasons why Ray Allen left our team.  I'd argue that his issues with Rondo were a much bigger problem than losing his starting spot, but I don't think I want to get into an argument about Ray with you.

I dont have any problem with that

But they were not losing games because of Allen.

He lost his spot because others finally stepped it up

I really dont think they would be better if Bradley had started a full season.

But then again who knows hes just getting started

I just dont think hes that good as a starting shooting guard.

[BballTim]

Bradley didn't earn a starting spot last year. He played well for 2 months once our starting SG got injured.

Especially with AB possibly taking a while to recover theres no reason to just give him his spot. He still needs to earn it.

  Bradley clearly won the starting sg spot last year. What would he have had to do to "earn" it?

  And are you also saying that Bass didn't earn a starting spot because he started when JO was injured?

He didnt win it, Ray got injured, and Bradley had a good stretch of games, but more importantly the team won games

its not like Ray Allen sucked , he got injured and got shafted (which is also why hes gone)

  He got into the starting lineup because of Ray's injury, but he held on to the spot because of his play.

I disagree somewhat..

he held the spot because they were winning games...now how much you want to put that on him being the main reason, thats up to you...

to me the team started playing better, Garnett was unreal, and Bass was inserted...Again wether you wanna credit Bradley with all this is all up to you the fan


He didnt hold the spot because of his play IMO, if the team was 6-8 before Ray returned, it would have been RAY's spot again but they didnt, they won games and Doc made the decision to start him and bench Ray which ultimately caused Ray to leave wether people deny it or not.

KG had been playing "unreal" for the entire second half of the season(post ASB).  Brandon Bass had been solid all year.  Nobody is crediting Bradley to their play because they did it themselves.

You know why they were winning games?  Bradley not only played better defense than Ray, but he also provided a more versatile offensive game(cutting, driving, shooting).  So when Doc has to choose between Bradley and Ray, he's gotta go with Avery.  So yes, winning helped Bradley get the spot, but his play was integral to our success.

Lastly, there are numerous reasons why Ray Allen left our team.  I'd argue that his issues with Rondo were a much bigger problem than losing his starting spot, but I don't think I want to get into an argument about Ray with you.

I dont have any problem with that

But they were not losing games because of Allen.

He lost his spot because others finally stepped it up

I really dont think they would be better if Bradley had started a full season.

But then again who knows hes just getting started

I just dont think hes that good as a starting shooting guard.

  I don't think that the problem was that Ray was playing so poorly, but that the Celts just had too many old players in the lineup and didn't have enough athleticism on the court.

[Boris Badenov]

Bradley didn't earn a starting spot last year. He played well for 2 months once our starting SG got injured.

Especially with AB possibly taking a while to recover theres no reason to just give him his spot. He still needs to earn it.

  Bradley clearly won the starting sg spot last year. What would he have had to do to "earn" it?

  And are you also saying that Bass didn't earn a starting spot because he started when JO was injured?

He didnt win it, Ray got injured, and Bradley had a good stretch of games, but more importantly the team won games

its not like Ray Allen sucked , he got injured and got shafted (which is also why hes gone)

  He got into the starting lineup because of Ray's injury, but he held on to the spot because of his play.

I disagree somewhat..

he held the spot because they were winning games...now how much you want to put that on him being the main reason, thats up to you...

to me the team started playing better, Garnett was unreal, and Bass was inserted...Again wether you wanna credit Bradley with all this is all up to you the fan


He didnt hold the spot because of his play IMO, if the team was 6-8 before Ray returned, it would have been RAY's spot again but they didnt, they won games and Doc made the decision to start him and bench Ray which ultimately caused Ray to leave wether people deny it or not.

KG had been playing "unreal" for the entire second half of the season(post ASB).  Brandon Bass had been solid all year.  Nobody is crediting Bradley to their play because they did it themselves.

You know why they were winning games?  Bradley not only played better defense than Ray, but he also provided a more versatile offensive game(cutting, driving, shooting).  So when Doc has to choose between Bradley and Ray, he's gotta go with Avery.  So yes, winning helped Bradley get the spot, but his play was integral to our success.

Lastly, there are numerous reasons why Ray Allen left our team.  I'd argue that his issues with Rondo were a much bigger problem than losing his starting spot, but I don't think I want to get into an argument about Ray with you.

I dont have any problem with that

But they were not losing games because of Allen.

He lost his spot because others finally stepped it up

I really dont think they would be better if Bradley had started a full season.

But then again who knows hes just getting started

I just dont think hes that good as a starting shooting guard.

Whatever the causes were, this all seems really simple to me.

The KG/Bass/PP/Bradley/Rondo lineup was the best team in the league when starting together, and was posting defensive numbers that would have been top 10 all-time for a full season.

Why would you even consider messing with that? When Bradley is back, he starts.

[Chris]

Bradley didn't earn a starting spot last year. He played well for 2 months once our starting SG got injured.

Especially with AB possibly taking a while to recover theres no reason to just give him his spot. He still needs to earn it.

  Bradley clearly won the starting sg spot last year. What would he have had to do to "earn" it?

  And are you also saying that Bass didn't earn a starting spot because he started when JO was injured?

He didnt win it, Ray got injured, and Bradley had a good stretch of games, but more importantly the team won games

its not like Ray Allen sucked , he got injured and got shafted (which is also why hes gone)

  He got into the starting lineup because of Ray's injury, but he held on to the spot because of his play.

I disagree somewhat..

he held the spot because they were winning games...now how much you want to put that on him being the main reason, thats up to you...

to me the team started playing better, Garnett was unreal, and Bass was inserted...Again wether you wanna credit Bradley with all this is all up to you the fan


He didnt hold the spot because of his play IMO, if the team was 6-8 before Ray returned, it would have been RAY's spot again but they didnt, they won games and Doc made the decision to start him and bench Ray which ultimately caused Ray to leave wether people deny it or not.

KG had been playing "unreal" for the entire second half of the season(post ASB).  Brandon Bass had been solid all year.  Nobody is crediting Bradley to their play because they did it themselves.

You know why they were winning games?  Bradley not only played better defense than Ray, but he also provided a more versatile offensive game(cutting, driving, shooting).  So when Doc has to choose between Bradley and Ray, he's gotta go with Avery.  So yes, winning helped Bradley get the spot, but his play was integral to our success.

Lastly, there are numerous reasons why Ray Allen left our team.  I'd argue that his issues with Rondo were a much bigger problem than losing his starting spot, but I don't think I want to get into an argument about Ray with you.

I dont have any problem with that

But they were not losing games because of Allen.

He lost his spot because others finally stepped it up

I really dont think they would be better if Bradley had started a full season.

But then again who knows hes just getting started

I just dont think hes that good as a starting shooting guard.

Whatever the causes were, this all seems really simple to me.

The KG/Bass/PP/Bradley/Rondo lineup was the best team in the league when starting together, and was posting defensive numbers that would have been top 10 all-time for a full season.

Why would you even consider messing with that? When Bradley is back, he starts.

And what if they are even more impressive with Lee starting, while Bradley is recovering? 

[BballTim]

Bradley didn't earn a starting spot last year. He played well for 2 months once our starting SG got injured.

Especially with AB possibly taking a while to recover theres no reason to just give him his spot. He still needs to earn it.

  Bradley clearly won the starting sg spot last year. What would he have had to do to "earn" it?

  And are you also saying that Bass didn't earn a starting spot because he started when JO was injured?

He didnt win it, Ray got injured, and Bradley had a good stretch of games, but more importantly the team won games

its not like Ray Allen sucked , he got injured and got shafted (which is also why hes gone)

  He got into the starting lineup because of Ray's injury, but he held on to the spot because of his play.

I disagree somewhat..

he held the spot because they were winning games...now how much you want to put that on him being the main reason, thats up to you...

to me the team started playing better, Garnett was unreal, and Bass was inserted...Again wether you wanna credit Bradley with all this is all up to you the fan


He didnt hold the spot because of his play IMO, if the team was 6-8 before Ray returned, it would have been RAY's spot again but they didnt, they won games and Doc made the decision to start him and bench Ray which ultimately caused Ray to leave wether people deny it or not.

KG had been playing "unreal" for the entire second half of the season(post ASB).  Brandon Bass had been solid all year.  Nobody is crediting Bradley to their play because they did it themselves.

You know why they were winning games?  Bradley not only played better defense than Ray, but he also provided a more versatile offensive game(cutting, driving, shooting).  So when Doc has to choose between Bradley and Ray, he's gotta go with Avery.  So yes, winning helped Bradley get the spot, but his play was integral to our success.

Lastly, there are numerous reasons why Ray Allen left our team.  I'd argue that his issues with Rondo were a much bigger problem than losing his starting spot, but I don't think I want to get into an argument about Ray with you.

I dont have any problem with that

But they were not losing games because of Allen.

He lost his spot because others finally stepped it up

I really dont think they would be better if Bradley had started a full season.

But then again who knows hes just getting started

I just dont think hes that good as a starting shooting guard.

Whatever the causes were, this all seems really simple to me.

The KG/Bass/PP/Bradley/Rondo lineup was the best team in the league when starting together, and was posting defensive numbers that would have been top 10 all-time for a full season.

Why would you even consider messing with that? When Bradley is back, he starts.

And what if they are even more impressive with Lee starting, while Bradley is recovering?

  Then we'll have as good a shot at a title as anyone else in the league.

[CelticG1]

People seem a little overly sensitive about Bradley.

He was in a great situation last year, stepped up after our starter got injured and surprised a lot of people with his play for a stretch of games.

Now he's not going to be starting out the season because of double shoulder surgery, we signed a young, mature 2 guard who is a pretty good 2-way player why do people just throw out the possibility that maybe Bradley will come off the bench? I mean its funny when people talk about Collins starting or Jeff Green starting but I don't see why people are in denial of this being a possibility especially if we play well.

Not to mention one major concern with Bradley is his confidence level. If he doesn't play with confidence he can be a disaster on the court. Doc almost started giving his minutes to Moore early last year because of it. If Bradley doesn't come out with the same confidence level pre injury last year than it may force him tobthe bench as well.

And for a guy coming off double shoulder surgery and having another young, smart 2 way player,  who Doc loves start the season as a starter, I wouldn't be surprised at all if it takes Bradley a while to get back into a groove

[arambone]

"Not to mention one major concern with Bradley is his confidence level."

Before he got regular minutes. Before he stole the job of a Hall of Famer as a 21 year old.

It's not like his confidence was a problem once he got regular minutes and proved himself.

Early Bradley doubters, EBDs, lol.

[CelticG1]

"Not to mention one major concern with Bradley is his confidence level."

Before he got regular minutes. Before he stole the job of a Hall of Famer as a 21 year old.

It's not like his confidence was a problem once he got regular minutes and proved himself.

Early Bradley doubters, EBDs, lol.

You know, in reality, when players come back from injuries many times they don't start seeing 30 plus minutes right away.

Their are more sensitive bradley supporters than Bradley "Haters".

Don't know why people are getting so worked up when some of us say "oh maybe Bradley wont start since we have another legit 2 guard"

Its a little more realistic than "Bradley is a future STAR!!!"

I loved Bradley last year im just thinking people need to slow down a little bit to already be penciling him in for 15 ppg and a Kobe and Wade stopper.

Just like Houston probably shouldn't pencil Lin in for 20 and 10 average.

Remember he played well for 2 months and before that was pretty much crying on twitter. Im hoping his confidence doesn't waiver with our new pick ups and his injuries. Im really hoping he doesn't have any more set backs either because the longer he's out of the line up thenlonger it will take him to come back.

Think about Ray. He was basically out for.a month. Then came back for 3 games then had another set back. He lost his position cause someone stepped up in his place. It happens all the time

[LooseCannon]

If you believe the interview that Doc Rivers gave a few weeks ago, he had decided in the pre-season that the team would be better off with Ray Allen coming off the bench.  Sure, injury made the move easier, but it was already something Doc had been considering.  Circumstances just made it easier to do the right thing.  It would be wrong to claim that Bradley was just some scrub who surprisingly shined when he had the chance.  Bradley had been improving within the season and making the idea of starting him and using Ray in a sixth man role less and less ridiculous.  One wonders where AB would be in his development if Doc had not made the mistake of trying to force him to be a point guard as a rookie and had instead tried to develop him in his natural shooting guard role.

[Chris]

If you believe the interview that Doc Rivers gave a few weeks ago, he had decided in the pre-season that the team would be better off with Ray Allen coming off the bench.  Sure, injury made the move easier, but it was already something Doc had been considering.  Circumstances just made it easier to do the right thing.  It would be wrong to claim that Bradley was just some scrub who surprisingly shined when he had the chance.  Bradley had been improving within the season and making the idea of starting him and using Ray in a sixth man role less and less ridiculous.  One wonders where AB would be in his development if Doc had not made the mistake of trying to force him to be a point guard as a rookie and had instead tried to develop him in his natural shooting guard role.

The PG thing is an interesting question.  Although based on the fact that it took him a while to get comfortable in college as well, I lean towards the idea that he simply needed the extra time to adjust to the NBA game, just like he needed time to adjust to the college game.

As far as Doc wanting to have Ray coming off the bench earlier in the year, I buy it.  They needed his scoring off the bench.  But I think it had more to do with Ray than it did that he wanted Bradley starting. 

[Boris Badenov]

Bradley didn't earn a starting spot last year. He played well for 2 months once our starting SG got injured.

Especially with AB possibly taking a while to recover theres no reason to just give him his spot. He still needs to earn it.

  Bradley clearly won the starting sg spot last year. What would he have had to do to "earn" it?

  And are you also saying that Bass didn't earn a starting spot because he started when JO was injured?

He didnt win it, Ray got injured, and Bradley had a good stretch of games, but more importantly the team won games

its not like Ray Allen sucked , he got injured and got shafted (which is also why hes gone)

  He got into the starting lineup because of Ray's injury, but he held on to the spot because of his play.

I disagree somewhat..

he held the spot because they were winning games...now how much you want to put that on him being the main reason, thats up to you...

to me the team started playing better, Garnett was unreal, and Bass was inserted...Again wether you wanna credit Bradley with all this is all up to you the fan


He didnt hold the spot because of his play IMO, if the team was 6-8 before Ray returned, it would have been RAY's spot again but they didnt, they won games and Doc made the decision to start him and bench Ray which ultimately caused Ray to leave wether people deny it or not.

KG had been playing "unreal" for the entire second half of the season(post ASB).  Brandon Bass had been solid all year.  Nobody is crediting Bradley to their play because they did it themselves.

You know why they were winning games?  Bradley not only played better defense than Ray, but he also provided a more versatile offensive game(cutting, driving, shooting).  So when Doc has to choose between Bradley and Ray, he's gotta go with Avery.  So yes, winning helped Bradley get the spot, but his play was integral to our success.

Lastly, there are numerous reasons why Ray Allen left our team.  I'd argue that his issues with Rondo were a much bigger problem than losing his starting spot, but I don't think I want to get into an argument about Ray with you.

I dont have any problem with that

But they were not losing games because of Allen.

He lost his spot because others finally stepped it up

I really dont think they would be better if Bradley had started a full season.

But then again who knows hes just getting started

I just dont think hes that good as a starting shooting guard.

Whatever the causes were, this all seems really simple to me.

The KG/Bass/PP/Bradley/Rondo lineup was the best team in the league when starting together, and was posting defensive numbers that would have been top 10 all-time for a full season.

Why would you even consider messing with that? When Bradley is back, he starts.

And what if they are even more impressive with Lee starting, while Bradley is recovering?

Then things get interesting - but only then.

I'm just saying that in any other scenario, and regardless of all this other speculation about who is and isn't a better fit with Terry, or Rondo, or whether it was Bradley or KG responsible for the run last season, the starting job is Bradley's by default.