Stevens: Monitoring Rondo/Bradley duo "huge, huge priority for me"

[BleedGreen1989]

"Our chemistry is fine," Rondo said of his backcourt pairing with Bradley. "He hasn’t forgotten how I play and [I haven't] forgotten how [he] plays. It’s the same." Pressed on the duo's chemistry, Rondo added, "We just know how to play the game. He knows the game of basketball. He knows when to make cuts. He’s just a smart player, and I think I’m a smart player, too."

Bradley thinks as Rondo gets healthier, it will allow the duo to pressure the ball more moving forward.

"I think it can be very good, not just on the offensive end but on the defensive end as well," said Bradley. "We play off each other on defense. When I’m tired of pressuring somebody, pretty soon Rondo is going to be able to pick them up full-court. That’s just how we play."

Coach Brad Stevens has noted that examining and molding that Rondo/Bradley combo is at the top of his to-do list over the final three months of the season.

“Huge. Huge priority for me," said Stevens. "I think that those guys seem to be, on paper, really good fits, but it’s better to see them in person. ... Their strengths fit each other well on both ends of the floior, and so hopefully that can continue to be accentuated as we get further along into that -- we add to those 30 games [they've started together during their careers].”

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=bostonceltics&id=4710640&city=boston

[kozlodoev]

“Huge. Huge priority for me," said Stevens. "I think that those guys seem to be, on paper, really good fits, but it’s better to see them in person. ... Their strengths fit each other well on both ends of the floior, and so hopefully that can continue to be accentuated as we get further along into that -- we add to those 30 games [they've started together during their careers].”

I'm not sure what this means. As in... lots of words, very little substance.

I'm also not sure how two defense-first, smallish guards who cannot create their own shot and are not dead-eye three-point shooters are "really, really good fits[sic]", but that's just me.

[Evantime34]

This could mean:
1. Stevens is looking into ways that can maximize their talents as a tandem (like Bradley pressing the ball and Rondo playing center field to pick off a pass)
2. Stevens is looking at the viability of this backcourt long term

[kozlodoev]

This could mean:
1. Stevens is looking into ways that can maximize their talents as a tandem (like Bradley pressing the ball and Rondo playing center field to pick off a pass)
2. Stevens is looking at the viability of this backcourt long term

That's not what I had in mind. There are a lot of words there, which pretty much say nothing.

I think that those guys seem to be, on paper, really good fits -- saying nothing with a lot of words. As a matter of fact, they probably don't really look like a very good fit on paper, given that they're similar size with similar strengths and similar weaknesses.

Their strengths fit each other well on both ends of the floor -- again, saying nothing with a lot of words. Is that in the part where they both are best at guarding the initial point of attack on defense, or where they both prefer exactly the same type of shot on offense?

hopefully that can continue to be accentuated as we get further along into that -- what?!

[snively]

“Huge. Huge priority for me," said Stevens. "I think that those guys seem to be, on paper, really good fits, but it’s better to see them in person. ... Their strengths fit each other well on both ends of the floior, and so hopefully that can continue to be accentuated as we get further along into that -- we add to those 30 games [they've started together during their careers].”

I'm not sure what this means. As in... lots of words, very little substance.

I'm also not sure how two defense-first, smallish guards who cannot create their own shot and are not dead-eye three-point shooters are "really, really good fits[sic]", but that's just me.

Maybe drop one of the reallys and one of the huges and Stevens is on the mark.

[clover]

This could mean:
1. Stevens is looking into ways that can maximize their talents as a tandem (like Bradley pressing the ball and Rondo playing center field to pick off a pass)
2. Stevens is looking at the viability of this backcourt long term

That's not what I had in mind. There are a lot of words there, which pretty much say nothing.

I think that those guys seem to be, on paper, really good fits -- saying nothing with a lot of words. As a matter of fact, they probably don't really look like a very good fit on paper, given that they're similar size with similar strengths and similar weaknesses.

Their strengths fit each other well on both ends of the floor -- again, saying nothing with a lot of words. Is that in the part where they both are best at guarding the initial point of attack on defense, or where they both prefer exactly the same type of shot on offense?

hopefully that can continue to be accentuated as we get further along into that -- what?!

Yeah, whaddaya know, one's a PG and one's a SG--funny how that works.

[kozlodoev]

Yeah, whaddaya know, one's a PG and one's a SG--funny how that works.

Excellent. If that's all it takes, I don't have to worry much about the front office's managerial skills, roster construction is a fool-proof affair.

[BballTim]

“Huge. Huge priority for me," said Stevens. "I think that those guys seem to be, on paper, really good fits, but it’s better to see them in person. ... Their strengths fit each other well on both ends of the floior, and so hopefully that can continue to be accentuated as we get further along into that -- we add to those 30 games [they've started together during their careers].”

I'm not sure what this means. As in... lots of words, very little substance.

I'm also not sure how two defense-first, smallish guards who cannot create their own shot and are not dead-eye three-point shooters are "really, really good fits[sic]", but that's just me.

  When you say defense first, realize that Rondo's one of the better overall offensive players in the league. Not the best scorer but shot creation's a big issue in the league and Rondo's one of the best in the game in creating shots for others. Bradley struggles running an offense and isn't very good at creating his own shot so it's easier for him to be a productive player with someone like Rondo.

  Rondo's also capable of creating his own shot, the percentage of his shots that are assisted have been at least 30% lower than the average for point guards the last few years.

[BballTim]

This could mean:
1. Stevens is looking into ways that can maximize their talents as a tandem (like Bradley pressing the ball and Rondo playing center field to pick off a pass)
2. Stevens is looking at the viability of this backcourt long term

  The long term viability is key with Bradley looking for a new deal.

[Evantime34]

This could mean:
1. Stevens is looking into ways that can maximize their talents as a tandem (like Bradley pressing the ball and Rondo playing center field to pick off a pass)
2. Stevens is looking at the viability of this backcourt long term

That's not what I had in mind. There are a lot of words there, which pretty much say nothing.

I think that those guys seem to be, on paper, really good fits -- saying nothing with a lot of words. As a matter of fact, they probably don't really look like a very good fit on paper, given that they're similar size with similar strengths and similar weaknesses.

Their strengths fit each other well on both ends of the floor -- again, saying nothing with a lot of words. Is that in the part where they both are best at guarding the initial point of attack on defense, or where they both prefer exactly the same type of shot on offense?

hopefully that can continue to be accentuated as we get further along into that -- what?!

I think they actually are pretty good compliments to each other.
On offense Bradley is better served guarding the ball, while Rondo is better off the ball playing the passing lanes.
On defense Rondo is a player who is good at getting other players shots but not great at hitting those shots themselves. Bradley is good at hitting jump shots but not great at creating his own.  Rondo's drives work better when he can dish to a cutter instead of finishing himself.

As far as the accentuate part, I think he just meant that they want to emphasize them as their a pair. Meaning more plays set up for the two of them to succeed.

[Fafnir]

The meaning is pretty simple. He wants to see how they work as a unit because this offseason and then the next for Rondo both are due new contracts. Both are also young talents who could have value elsewhere.

[D.o.s.]

The meaning is pretty simple. He wants to see how they work as a unit because this offseason and then the next for Rondo both are due new contracts. Both are also young talents who could have value elsewhere.

No I'm pretty sure it means he has both of their apartments wiretapped.

[celticbos]

Rondo will also fit better with Bass as they showed chemistry in the past. I really believe Rondo will raise many guys games, but Bradley and Bass seem to gel the best with Rondo.

[kozlodoev]

When you say defense first, realize that Rondo's one of the better overall offensive players in the league. Not the best scorer but shot creation's a big issue in the league and Rondo's one of the best in the game in creating shots for others. Bradley struggles running an offense and isn't very good at creating his own shot so it's easier for him to be a productive player with someone like Rondo.

This just means that Bradley can't play PG, not that Bradley is a good fit with Rondo. A good fit with Rondo is someone who is bigger, who is a better spot-up/catch-and-shoot guy, and who can move well without the ball. Think Ray Allen in his early years as a Celtics.

Rondo's also capable of creating his own shot, the percentage of his shots that are assisted have been at least 30% lower than the average for point guards the last few years.

You're not going to get a lot of assisted shots when (1) you handle the ball most of the time, and (2) you can't shoot outside of 18 feet.

Also, I don't think that "creating one's own shot" is conceptually the same as "can dribble-drive for a layup". Sometimes, the layup will not be there, and then you don't have a shot. That's why guys like Paul Pierce can create their own shot, and guys like Tony Allen can't.

[CFAN38]

“Huge. Huge priority for me," said Stevens. "I think that those guys seem to be, on paper, really good fits, but it’s better to see them in person. ... Their strengths fit each other well on both ends of the floior, and so hopefully that can continue to be accentuated as we get further along into that -- we add to those 30 games [they've started together during their careers].”

I'm not sure what this means. As in... lots of words, very little substance.

I'm also not sure how two defense-first, smallish guards who cannot create their own shot and are not dead-eye three-point shooters are "really, really good fits[sic]", but that's just me.

Offensively the fit comes from Rondo being ball dominant and AB playing off the ball using his quickness to cut to the basket.

Defensively they both can just put a lot of pressure on other teams guards forcing teams out of their comfort zones.

I think DA and Stevens will be watching this combo very closely to see if AB is the starting SG moving forward. I personally think he can be but the team has to be built with both of their skill sets and physical abilities in mind. With that in mind..

We have to have a 3pt shooting SF

The 3rd guard has to have some size/length.

5 man has to be able to protect rim when pressure does get beat.

Team should have a true PG as the 4th guard. AB should not be pressed into PG duties for more then a few minutes a game.

Example 2014-2015 (assuming Bass, Green are traded)

Rondo
AB
Parker (dream)
Sully
Asik (trade)

Nick Young (2014 free agent)5 mill
Wallace
KO
Udoh (2014 free agent)4mill
B Udrih/ D Harris (2014 free agents)1.2mill
Faverani
Iverson
Pressy
ATL/Nets Pick