is AB the long term answer at the sg spot?

[More Banners]

I've always thought that his best use is as a 3rd that can play heavy minutes because of his defense and ability to complement the other guard so well, but a contender probably has a better starting SG option.

However...

If Rondo is the other guard, handling the ball all the time, covers his greatest weakness.  As for height, it seems that his defense is just fine as-is.

AB is in the 3-guard rotation either way.  He can probably guard anybody at the G-spot.

The other guard has to be a SG, though, to fill out the 3-G rotation.  We seem to have several to choose from, young and veteran.

Next to Bradley, a ball-dominating guard is what you want...so he doesn't handle it.  Otherwise, it's a rather predictable pass-and-cut offense; nobody can actually do anything with the ball. 

Enter MarShon Brooks, who will have to beat out a young competitor in Crawford (no problem), and still has two veterans ahead of him if he fails to execute consistently.

Whether or not Bradley is the answer at SG depends on whether we can get or grow another SG that can make the 3-guard rotation without beating him out for the starting spot, and who can perhaps initiate offense on his own (making him better off the bench).

This is going to be one heck of a season to see what works and what doesn't.  This guard try-out is as interesting as the similar situation happening at the FC spot, where there are young players with solid veterans (sort of) ahead of them, who they have to beat while also learning to gel with the other young guy (we hope and pray).

But yes, I like Avery in the 3-guard rotation, and if it works with him starting, and I think it could, then fine.

Whew.

And if he does work at SG, we may very well already have the starting 5 for the next title team on our roster.

Stay Green, my friends.

[Surferdad]

you people would trade avery for byron mullens simply because mullens is taller.

No, but if I'm building a competitive team I'd rather start Danny Green, Arron Afflalo, Wes Matthews, Gordon Hayward, Carlos Delfino, Thabo Sefolosha, Lance Stephenson, etc.

youd rather start sefolosha even though avery is a better defender?

Yes, because Sefolosha is a more versatile defender, he's less injury prone, and he's a more reliable outside shooter.

So are you saying any of those 7 guys (plus others per your etc.) are better than AB?  Really?

[celticmania]

Hopefully either Gary Harris, Wayne Selden, or Aaron Harrison is there when we use the Net's pick (Probably 22nd-26th)

[syfy9]

you people would trade avery for byron mullens simply because mullens is taller.

No, but if I'm building a competitive team I'd rather start Danny Green, Arron Afflalo, Wes Matthews, Gordon Hayward, Carlos Delfino, Thabo Sefolosha, Lance Stephenson, etc.

youd rather start sefolosha even though avery is a better defender?

Yes, because Sefolosha is a more versatile defender, he's less injury prone, and he's a more reliable outside shooter.

So are you saying any of those 7 guys (plus others per your etc.) are better than AB?  Really?

You don't always start your best players.

[aporel#18]

He's fine unless we get Wiggins 

I don't know, the Cs will probably select in the 8-12th pick range, and there you could get Hezonja or James Young to fill that taller SG role, or even Andrew Harrison (though he'll probably be off the table by then) to add a tall PG who can shoot and play beside Rondo and Bradley.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Most here say RONDO can't shoot....well AB has shown little as a shooter.....we would hasve been better off with TWILL in there......bigger, stronger, even better defender....

[billysan]

Love AB but only as a bench 15-20 mpg combo guard. For me he has to do two things to stay with the Celtics. One is to establish himself as a knock down jump shooter from somewhere. Two is to prove he can run the offense effectively if Rondo or the coach needs him to do so.

His biggest knock IMO as a 'long term answer at SG' is that he cannot switch off and cover a quality SF. He simply isnt big enough and that will keep him from ever being a real factor at SG. Can he cover Jeff Green for an extended period? How about Gerald Wallace? Dont even need to leave our roster. Courtney Lee could cover one of them much more realistically and I dont consider him the long term answer either.

[Tr1boy]

Hopefully either Gary Harris, Wayne Selden, or Aaron Harrison is there when we use the Net's pick (Probably 22nd-26th)

don't forget james young and mario Hezonja.

One other big darkhorse is Glen Robinson 3. He can be a sg if he can keep working on his handle and refine his shooting. Super athletic, unselfish (actually a weakness)

[2short]

largest thing I see is that avery is in no way a point guard
as a sg i would like to see what he can do with a healthy season and time with rondo, love that backcourt and don't care if they are small
maybe he'll come around and produce like he did when ray went out, maybe he'll be better as first guard off the bench if brooks can elevate his own game

long term? too early to know

[crimson_stallion]

I don't think anybody has the answer to this question right now, but I think it will be answered this upcoming season.

I think that to this point Bradley has been a big uncertainty in terms of where his ceiling lies, and I think this season will be make/break for him. 

During his rookie season he really struggled, but he was hurt and buried deep on the bench so it was understandable and nobody read too much into it.   

In his second season once he got an opportunity he had a major impact defensively and he was solid (if not specacular) on offense as well.  His +/- and NetRtg were second highest on the team after KG.  Still he only played meaningful minutes for half the season so that had people asking question.  On one hand, imagine how good he would have been if he started the ENTIRE season?  On the other hand was it a fluke, and could he have actually sustained that play for an entire season?

Last season should have answered this question but he didn't return from double-shoulder surgery about 1/3 way through the season.  His defensive impact was felt immediately because the Celtics defense improved dramatically as soon as he returned, and the C's went on a 9 game winning streak about two games after this.  But AB struggled with his offense throughout the season.  The loss of Rondo only made it worse because it forced him into the starting PG role, a position that he's known to struggle with.  This presented more questions about whether his offensive struggles were due to the injuries (he reportedly never got back to 100% that season) or whether the starting role simply highlighted his lack of offensive potental.

This season should finally answer all of those questions.  With the entire offseason to recover he should be back to  100%  health by the start of the regular season.  The return of Rondo allows him to slip back to his natural SG position.  The loss of Pierce/KG/Terry makes him one of the longest running Celtics on the roster, so he'll be called on to play a large role and to be one of the vocal leaders of the team.  Additionally his contract year comes up after this season I think. 

This season Avery will have every opportunity to excel, and no excuses to fail.  He has a contract year coming up, so he'll need to prove he can be an serious impact player in this league if he is to become the Celtic's starting SG for the future.  He doesn't need to show All-Star potential by any means.  All he needs to do is return to the form he showed in 2012 when he dominated teams on defense, and still contributed some on offense.  If he can average ~12 PPG (while shooting >45% FG, >35% 3PT) and continue to change games with his defense, then I think he'll get an extension and be locked in as our future starter (like Tony Allen had in Memphis).  If not he'll probably find his starting job at risk and will probably end up a defensive role player (i.e. Bruce Bowen) off the bench.

I really believe that for AB everything is riding on this season and personally, I don't think he is going to dissapoint.

[crimson_stallion]

largest thing I see is that avery is in no way a point guard
as a sg i would like to see what he can do with a healthy season and time with rondo, love that backcourt and don't care if they are small
maybe he'll come around and produce like he did when ray went out, maybe he'll be better as first guard off the bench if brooks can elevate his own game

long term? too early to know

I agree. 

The Backcourt of Rondo+Bradley reminds me a lot of Isiah Thomas + Joe Dumars for the bad boy Pistons. 

The difference being that neither Rondo nor Bradley is as accomplished offensively as Thomas/Dumars, but Thomas was a great PG and Dumars was an outstanding defender - it was quite an undersized backcourt, but very effective. 

In 2002 Bradley was pretty effective with his cuts, his mid-range pull up jumpers, and his corner three point shot.  If he can go back to that then he woudl be a perfect compliment to Rondo on the perimeter.

[Celtics18]

largest thing I see is that avery is in no way a point guard
as a sg i would like to see what he can do with a healthy season and time with rondo, love that backcourt and don't care if they are small
maybe he'll come around and produce like he did when ray went out, maybe he'll be better as first guard off the bench if brooks can elevate his own game

long term? too early to know

I agree. 

The Backcourt of Rondo+Bradley reminds me a lot of Isiah Thomas + Joe Dumars for the bad boy Pistons. 

The difference being that neither Rondo nor Bradley is as accomplished offensively as Thomas/Dumars, but Thomas was a great PG and Dumars was an outstanding defender - it was quite an undersized backcourt, but very effective. 

In 2002 Bradley was pretty effective with his cuts, his mid-range pull up jumpers, and his corner three point shot.  If he can go back to that then he woudl be a perfect compliment to Rondo on the perimeter.

I've heard that Avery was awesome when he was eleven. 

[rondoallaturca]

Yes, he is. As the backup SG, that is.

[LooseCannon]

Most here say RONDO can't shoot....well AB has shown little as a shooter.....we would hasve been better off with TWILL in there......bigger, stronger, even better defender....

Bradley has shown promise in catch-and-shoot situations and could end up being reliably above-average in those spots.  I don't think he'll ever be a guy who you will rely on to hit jumpers off the dribble in isolation plays, but isolations are inefficient plays that should be avoided.

[PhoSita]

you people would trade avery for byron mullens simply because mullens is taller.

No, but if I'm building a competitive team I'd rather start Danny Green, Arron Afflalo, Wes Matthews, Gordon Hayward, Carlos Delfino, Thabo Sefolosha, Lance Stephenson, etc.

youd rather start sefolosha even though avery is a better defender?

Yes, because Sefolosha is a more versatile defender, he's less injury prone, and he's a more reliable outside shooter.

So are you saying any of those 7 guys (plus others per your etc.) are better than AB?  Really?

I'm saying if I'm building a competitive team for THIS YEAR, then yes, I'd prefer any of those guys, or guys like them.  Players who are reliable outside shooters, can slash to the hoop a bit, have the size to cover multiple positions, and perhaps have some ball-handling ability.

Avery may be more valuable to a team due to his age and whatever potential he may have.