Bradley leads C's Sunday workout

[syfy9]

http://redsarmy.com/2013/03/03/bradley-leads-cs-sunday-workout/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feedutm_campaign=Feed%3A+RedsArmy+%28Red%27s+Army%3A+The+Voice+Of+Celtics+Fans%29

(Doc, Pierce, KG, and Terry were all absent from the workout)

In fact, of the nine players on the floor, the average age was roughly 26.2, with 30-year-old Chris Wilcox and 29-year-old Shavlik Randolph the elder statesmen of the bunch. So where does the leadership come from at that point?

The youngest guy in the pack, of course, in 22-year-old Avery Bradley.

    Having taken on more responsibilities since Rondo went down, particularly as the first-unit ball-handler, Bradley has ascended to a key role as the team’s first-string quarterback. What’s more, his infectious defensive intensity has essentially made him a leader by example.

    “His defense speaks loud,” said assistant coach Armond Hill, tasked with running Sunday’s skeleton session. “He steps on the floor and guys know that he’s going to be picking up [the opposing ball-handler full court]. So if he’s going to pick up, then everyone has to pick up. That’s good. Our defense goes to another level, especially if he gets a steal or something like that. It brings everyone together more.”

    Bradley saves most of his vocality for screaming out defensive instructions (though his voice might never be as loud or as expletive-filled as that of Garnett). In a locker room dominated by veteran voices like Garnett, Pierce, and Rondo, it’s Bradley’s on-court play that speaks loudest.

And if this team is going to accomplish anything this season, it’s likely going to be in large part because of Bradley’s quiet leadership.

  Loving Bradley right now!

[indeedproceed]

Where were Kg, Pierce and Doc? I wonder if it was personal stuff, or more billy hunter stuff.

[indeedproceed]

Oh and also, I love The stuff about Bradley. Great sign.

[syfy9]

Where were Kg, Pierce and Doc? I wonder if it was personal stuff, or more billy hunter stuff.

http://redsarmy.com/2013/03/03/new-guys-get-plenty-of-practice-time/

With so many new faces, a few days off to get some practice reps in will help these guys fill in when Doc rests Pierce and Garnett.

Yeah, I'm guessing that they don't need the reps (the other players do, especially the new guys) and having some rest/laid back time is nice.

[LooseCannon]

Where were Kg, Pierce and Doc? I wonder if it was personal stuff, or more billy hunter stuff.

Doc was watching the Red Claws.  Pierce and Garnett (along with Terry) were under orders to stay off their feet as much as possible, so were likely getting treated by trainers or lifting weights.

[PhoSita]

I can't help but mention it --

Could Bradley be the team's leader going forward, as opposed to Rondo?  Does Bradley's emerging leadership make Rondo more expendable?

I think I'd err on the side of "no, it doesn't," but it's something to think about.

Maybe a team led by Rondo and a team that embodies Bradley's defensive intensity are not mutually exclusive.  But I can't help wondering if it enters into the team's thinking about whether to keep Rondo.

[saltlover]

I can't help but mention it --

Could Bradley be the team's leader going forward, as opposed to Rondo?  Does Bradley's emerging leadership make Rondo more expendable?

I think I'd err on the side of "no, it doesn't," but it's something to think about.

Maybe a team led by Rondo and a team that embodies Bradley's defensive intensity are not mutually exclusive.  But I can't help wondering if it enters into the team's thinking about whether to keep Rondo.

You could have helped but mention it.  And no, it doesn't.

Teams are allowed to have more than one leader.  This team has had three or four for years, on the court at the same time.  We don't need to make a controversy out of the positive fact that Bradley is taking on more of a leadership role.  This is a good thing, and that's all there is to the story.

[BballTim]

I can't help but mention it --

Could Bradley be the team's leader going forward, as opposed to Rondo?  Does Bradley's emerging leadership make Rondo more expendable?

I think I'd err on the side of "no, it doesn't," but it's something to think about.

Maybe a team led by Rondo and a team that embodies Bradley's defensive intensity are not mutually exclusive.  But I can't help wondering if it enters into the team's thinking about whether to keep Rondo.

  Rondo put up 17/10/10 in the playoffs when he was Bradley's age. If we get close to that from Bradley this year he could end up making Rondo expendable. Leading a practice when none of the vets are there, while quite impressive, isn't the kind of thing that makes a team a contender.

[Celtics18]

I can't help but mention it --

Could Bradley be the team's leader going forward, as opposed to Rondo?  Does Bradley's emerging leadership make Rondo more expendable?

I think I'd err on the side of "no, it doesn't," but it's something to think about.

Maybe a team led by Rondo and a team that embodies Bradley's defensive intensity are not mutually exclusive.  But I can't help wondering if it enters into the team's thinking about whether to keep Rondo.

Trading Rondo while he is recovering from a torn ACL would not be a smart move, in my opinion.  His trade value right now is surely at an all time low. 

I happen to think that if Rondo recovers fully, that he and Avery can form a backcourt that complement each other nicely.  Next season will be the season to find out if that is the case or not.  If Danny trades Rondo for pennies on the dollar while he is recovering, it could very well end up being a big mistake.  As far as I can see, there's no reason to do anything rash before Danny has a chance to truly evaluate what kind of backcourt he's got with the two them. 

[pearljammer10]

I can't help but mention it --

Could Bradley be the team's leader going forward, as opposed to Rondo?  Does Bradley's emerging leadership make Rondo more expendable?

I think I'd err on the side of "no, it doesn't," but it's something to think about.

Maybe a team led by Rondo and a team that embodies Bradley's defensive intensity are not mutually exclusive.  But I can't help wondering if it enters into the team's thinking about whether to keep Rondo.

  Rondo put up 17/10/10 in the playoffs when he was Bradley's age. If we get close to that from Bradley this year he could end up making Rondo expendable. Leading a practice when none of the vets are there, while quite impressive, isn't the kind of thing that makes a team a contender.

Yeah I agree with this.

However I like the idea of Rondo being the quarterback leader of the team while Bradley takes on the leadership role of the defensive unit. KG passing the torch to allow Bradley to eventually become the leader in that department. I am still not sold on Bradley's overall game. I see him as a Tony Allen for his career with a tad bit better offense and a higher overall basketball IQ.

[xmuscularghandix]

I can't help but mention it --

Could Bradley be the team's leader going forward, as opposed to Rondo?  Does Bradley's emerging leadership make Rondo more expendable?

I think I'd err on the side of "no, it doesn't," but it's something to think about.

Maybe a team led by Rondo and a team that embodies Bradley's defensive intensity are not mutually exclusive.  But I can't help wondering if it enters into the team's thinking about whether to keep Rondo.

  Rondo put up 17/10/10 in the playoffs when he was Bradley's age. If we get close to that from Bradley this year he could end up making Rondo expendable. Leading a practice when none of the vets are there, while quite impressive, isn't the kind of thing that makes a team a contender.

In '08 when the Celtics won, we mocked teams like Cleveland and Los Angeles who pointed to individual players' numbers. We talked about how we'd rather win than have the personal titles.

Now that Bradley is clearly taking a step forward in leadership, we're saying that Rondo is still the team's leader just because he got some huge triple double.

I think that if Avery Bradley steps forward as a leader that completely makes Rondo expendable.

[Celtics18]

I can't help but mention it --

Could Bradley be the team's leader going forward, as opposed to Rondo?  Does Bradley's emerging leadership make Rondo more expendable?

I think I'd err on the side of "no, it doesn't," but it's something to think about.

Maybe a team led by Rondo and a team that embodies Bradley's defensive intensity are not mutually exclusive.  But I can't help wondering if it enters into the team's thinking about whether to keep Rondo.

  Rondo put up 17/10/10 in the playoffs when he was Bradley's age. If we get close to that from Bradley this year he could end up making Rondo expendable. Leading a practice when none of the vets are there, while quite impressive, isn't the kind of thing that makes a team a contender.

In '08 when the Celtics won, we mocked teams like Cleveland and Los Angeles who pointed to individual players' numbers. We talked about how we'd rather win than have the personal titles.

Now that Bradley is clearly taking a step forward in leadership, we're saying that Rondo is still the team's leader just because he got some huge triple double.

I think that if Avery Bradley steps forward as a leader that completely makes Rondo expendable.

If Avery Bradley is going to be as valuable to this team going forward as many seem to think (I'm hoping that he will be), that doesn't make Rondo expendable.  That makes it even more imperative that we keep Rajon. 

I don't get this line of reasoning.  I mean they showed us last year, albeit in a relatively small sample size, that they can be a very good backcourt together.  Why in essence say; "we think Avery can be really good.  So, let's get rid of Rondo"? 

What?  We don't want too many good players playing together on our team moving forward?  I just don't get it. 

[BballTim]

I can't help but mention it --

Could Bradley be the team's leader going forward, as opposed to Rondo?  Does Bradley's emerging leadership make Rondo more expendable?

I think I'd err on the side of "no, it doesn't," but it's something to think about.

Maybe a team led by Rondo and a team that embodies Bradley's defensive intensity are not mutually exclusive.  But I can't help wondering if it enters into the team's thinking about whether to keep Rondo.

  Rondo put up 17/10/10 in the playoffs when he was Bradley's age. If we get close to that from Bradley this year he could end up making Rondo expendable. Leading a practice when none of the vets are there, while quite impressive, isn't the kind of thing that makes a team a contender.

In '08 when the Celtics won, we mocked teams like Cleveland and Los Angeles who pointed to individual players' numbers. We talked about how we'd rather win than have the personal titles.

Now that Bradley is clearly taking a step forward in leadership, we're saying that Rondo is still the team's leader just because he got some huge triple double.

I think that if Avery Bradley steps forward as a leader that completely makes Rondo expendable.

  Yes, because according to the new cba, winners of playoff series will be determined by voting based on the leadership qualities of the players, actual performance on the court will just be for show.

  No matter who the Celts faced in the playoffs the last few years there was a decent chance Rondo would be the best player on the court. If you feel the need to replace Rondo you need to replace him with players who will be able to do the same, not scrappy players who run a good practice.

[Greenbean]

I can't help but mention it --

Could Bradley be the team's leader going forward, as opposed to Rondo?  Does Bradley's emerging leadership make Rondo more expendable?

I think I'd err on the side of "no, it doesn't," but it's something to think about.

Maybe a team led by Rondo and a team that embodies Bradley's defensive intensity are not mutually exclusive.  But I can't help wondering if it enters into the team's thinking about whether to keep Rondo.

  Rondo put up 17/10/10 in the playoffs when he was Bradley's age. If we get close to that from Bradley this year he could end up making Rondo expendable. Leading a practice when none of the vets are there, while quite impressive, isn't the kind of thing that makes a team a contender.

In '08 when the Celtics won, we mocked teams like Cleveland and Los Angeles who pointed to individual players' numbers. We talked about how we'd rather win than have the personal titles.

Now that Bradley is clearly taking a step forward in leadership, we're saying that Rondo is still the team's leader just because he got some huge triple double.

I think that if Avery Bradley steps forward as a leader that completely makes Rondo expendable.

I think it is just the opposite. If Bradley can assume a leadership role it makes Rondo even more valuable.

If Bradley can take some of the leadership responsibilities away from Rondo, maybe Rondo can just focus on basketball again. it is becoming clear that Rondo may not be comfortable being a diplomatic locker room leader. He is certainly the alpha on the court but he is no KG as far as holding other players accountable.

Maybe Bradley can do for Rondo what KG did for Pierce as far as splitting leadership roles for the next iteration of the Celtics team.

These two can create some awesome synergy if they can just stay on the court together for an extended period of time.

I am actually excited about the prospect of seeing these two play together for years to come (unless someone wants to trade us a young all star big who can anchor the defense, rebound, and score in the offseason for an injured Rondo  )

[BballTim]

I can't help but mention it --

Could Bradley be the team's leader going forward, as opposed to Rondo?  Does Bradley's emerging leadership make Rondo more expendable?

I think I'd err on the side of "no, it doesn't," but it's something to think about.

Maybe a team led by Rondo and a team that embodies Bradley's defensive intensity are not mutually exclusive.  But I can't help wondering if it enters into the team's thinking about whether to keep Rondo.

  Rondo put up 17/10/10 in the playoffs when he was Bradley's age. If we get close to that from Bradley this year he could end up making Rondo expendable. Leading a practice when none of the vets are there, while quite impressive, isn't the kind of thing that makes a team a contender.

In '08 when the Celtics won, we mocked teams like Cleveland and Los Angeles who pointed to individual players' numbers. We talked about how we'd rather win than have the personal titles.

Now that Bradley is clearly taking a step forward in leadership, we're saying that Rondo is still the team's leader just because he got some huge triple double.

  By the way, we're not saying Rondo's still the team's leader because he got some huge triple doubles. But the players, coaches and management of the Celts all talk about his being a leader. Regardless of that, though, my point about his numbers wasn't some "individual championship" nonsense. I'm just pointing out that Rondo's play on the court is what you'd need to replace and being a leader in practice doesn't cut the mustard.