More proof Bradley will stay a Celtic

[kozlodoev]

Not sure where the chucker label comes from, but he's 3rd in usage behind Sullinger and Green and ahead of Rondo and Bass.

The chucker label comes from the fact that the only thing he really can (or want) to do offensively is chuck long jumpers. This wasn't a usage comment, it was more based off of the fact that he's absolutely unable to move the ball or create anything off the dribble.

Taking long jumpers in and of itself doesn't make someone a chucker.  It also involves bad shot selection.  Is Bradley taking shots that the coach doesn't want him to take?  Is he forcing shots when he has better options?  If he is unable to create off the dribble, then it'd probably be stupid of him to pass up open shots in favor of trying to drive to the basket.

And if he's unable to move the ball, it's also probably be stupid to pass, so there it is -- foolproof justification that Bradley should take every jump shot he comes across.

Joking aside, I don't think there's much point in arguing semantics on the term chucker. You can assume I meant "one-dimentional jump-shooter" if you prefer it that way.

[LooseCannon]

There's nothing wrong with a starting SG being a one-dimensional jump-shooter, if he is sufficiently good at that dimension.  If Bradley isn't, he has the realistic potential to be good enough.

[colincb]

Not sure where the chucker label comes from, but he's 3rd in usage behind Sullinger and Green and ahead of Rondo and Bass.

The chucker label comes from the fact that the only thing he really can (or want) to do offensively is chuck long jumpers. This wasn't a usage comment, it was more based off of the fact that he's absolutely unable to move the ball or create anything off the dribble.

Taking long jumpers in and of itself doesn't make someone a chucker.  It also involves bad shot selection.  Is Bradley taking shots that the coach doesn't want him to take?  Is he forcing shots when he has better options?  If he is unable to create off the dribble, then it'd probably be stupid of him to pass up open shots in favor of trying to drive to the basket.

And if he's unable to move the ball, it's also probably be stupid to pass, so there it is -- foolproof justification that Bradley should take every jump shot he comes across.

Joking aside, I don't think there's much point in arguing semantics on the term chucker. You can assume I meant "one-dimentional jump-shooter" if you prefer it that way.

Per Hollinger (and as I understand the term too): "Chucker. Gunner. Ball hog. Shot-seeker. Whatever term you want to use, there's a certain type of player out there that everyone is familiar with: Somebody who takes a lot of shots and makes, well, not a lot of them."

Sounds more like Tyreke Evans or Monta Ellis, so your re-definition is preferable.  Bradley's been one-dimensional offensively his whole career except for a brief period as a sophomore when he got some playing time and other teams did no game planning for him.  When he got to the playoffs that year, the opposition took the cuts to the basket away from him. Nonetheless, most here thought he was destined for great things at the time.

[pearljammer10]

There's nothing wrong with a starting SG being a one-dimensional jump-shooter, if he is sufficiently good at that dimension.  If Bradley isn't, he has the realistic potential to be good enough.

Yeah but he's just not good of a shooter. Thats the thing. Hes a shooting guard and he's only shooting 43% this year and 40% last year from the field. Good enough for 84th place in qualified players.

Definitely agree with RJ87 about the expectations of Bradley and not needing or wanting him to become Rondo 2.0. His defensive play has certainly changed. He is not the ball hawk he came into the league to be and that's what he is best at. I can't stand when player try to step out of their role and do too much and that's exactly what he has turned into... Granted it a rebuild and he should be trying to expand on his game and get better, but I feel that he has gotten worse at what he has best at and what his role is because he has tried to change his game so much.

Tony Allen I feel was a similar player with a similar style and similar upbringing to Bradley. (Will admit Bradley is a bit better as a shooter) Except Tony never tried to become something hes not. He played defense, played it really [dang] well and made his cuts to the basket and stuck to his role. The result, he has been first team NBA all defense the last two seasons, is shooting 52% from the field this year, plays at a 17 PER, and has been a big part of a playoff contending Western team.
I agree with Koz and RJ87 on their points.

[hpantazo]

Wow, the defense of Bradley has reached the absurd level. He's excelling as a one dimensional shooter because he can't create his own shot? Really? That's insane.

Just as an example, Perkins can't create his own shot either. Does that mean he should shoot it every time the ball hits his hands?

As for Bradley having 'potential', this is a myth. The guy's rookie contract is done, and he's gotten progressively worse in both sides of the floor despite being given every opportunity this year to succeed. He is awful as an offensive player. He was limited before, but stayed within his limitations as a terrible ball handler and terrible passer who has no basketball sense, and a poor shooter. This year he went beyond that and became a total chucker, probably trying to earn himself a contract but killing his chances by doing so.

On the defensive end, he excels at one thing, pressuring the ball. That's it. That is his 'one dimension'. He has never been a lockdown defender. This is another myth. Guards have repeatedly killed him in important games. He is an undersized SG with poor offensive skills who excels at pressuring the ball but thinks he's Kobe on offense. Add his injury history to this and he will be lucky to get 4 million/year next year.

I've been saying this for 3 years now and I was ripped by tons of people on here the last two years who though he was the 'team savior' and would never trade him for Cousins. I'm glad some people are coming around now.

[wdleehi]

I like AB, I just think he is not going to get the big contract that is being thrown around here. 

[crimson_stallion]

Again to the people who are agianst his signing hes a 23 year old lockdown guard who can score..

No, he isn't. Particularly where the second part of this statement is concerned. He can chuck a lot of long jumpers, and may have big scoring nights when those go down. Ultimately, however, they're still long jumpers -- that is, one of the less efficient shots in the game.

What did Ray Allen do when he was here?  Those long jumpers he kept shooting sure helped us a lot in winning that title in '08, didn't they?

If you had a chance to sign Steph Curry in free agency, bet you'd jump at the chance.  You know, that guy who chucks a lot of long jumpers?

I bet you LOVE Sully too.  That big guy who chucks threes like they are going out of fashion, and hits 1 in 4.

Over his career Avery Bradley has attempted 2.7 three point shots per 36 minutes, and has connected on just over 35% of those.  This year he has attempted 3.6 per 36 minutes and shot them at an improved rate of just over 37%.

Over his career he has attempted 6.7 two point shots per 36 minutes, and he's hit those at 46%.  This year he's averaging 10.7 attempts per 36 minutes, but still shooting at 46%.

He's attempted 1.8 free throw attempts per 36 minutes and converted on those at at rate of 76%.  This season he's attempted 2.1 attempts per 36 and still shooting at 76%.

Right now Bradley is shooting at a very solid rate for a guard.  Almost any coach in the league would be happy to have a guard who is scoring 17 points per 36 minutes on 44% field goals, 37% three pointers and 76% free throws - regardless of how those points are coming.

Today Bradley got multiple layups by beating his defender off the dribble and blowing by to the basket for an easy two points.  This created space that allowed him to get his shots off, which he was hitting at a very good rate.

Again, everybody here complains about Bradley being a 'chucker' despite the fact that he is getting his offense from a number of different methods (off pullups, off spot ups, off drives, off cuts) and the fact that he is shooting with very respectable efficiency despite being forced to play a bigger role then he is used to on offense.

You guys needs to understand that offensively Bradley has been very solid this year.  You could make a legit argument that he has been the best offensive player on this team - Green has scored more points per game, but he's also played more minutes and shot a lower percentage from the field and from three.  He's done that while holding opponents to 35% FG shooting on defense.

As for Bradley having 'potential', this is a myth. The guy's rookie contract is done, and he's gotten progressively worse in both sides of the floor despite being given every opportunity this year to succeed. He is awful as an offensive player. He was limited before, but stayed within his limitations as a terrible ball handler and terrible passer who has no basketball sense, and a poor shooter. This year he went beyond that and became a total chucker, probably trying to earn himself a contract but killing his chances by doing so.

On the defensive end, he excels at one thing, pressuring the ball. That's it. That is his 'one dimension'. He has never been a lockdown defender. This is another myth. Guards have repeatedly killed him in important games. He is an undersized SG with poor offensive skills who excels at pressuring the ball but thinks he's Kobe on offense. Add his injury history to this and he will be lucky to get 4 million/year next year.

This is just silly.

So what you are trying to say is that Bradley has not improved in any way - he has become worse in every aspect of his game except for passing and ball handling, in which he is just as bad as ever.

1) Bradley has averaged 1.8 turnovers Per 36 minutes this season - the lowest of his career.  His assists have dropped from 2.2 AP36 (career number) to 1.6 AP36 (this season - a natural drop off given that he has played almost exclusively at the SG spot this year, while he played a lot of PG in past seasons.  Yes, these are still very mediocre numbers for a PG...but Bradley is not a PG.

2)  Aweful as an offensive player?  Bradley is averaging 17 point per 36 minutes while shooting 44% from the field, 37% from three and 76% from the line.  They are very solid numbers, especially given his change of role.  Last season Bradley was at best a 6th scoring option after Pierce, KG, Green, Rondo and Bass.  There was basically zero expectation for him to score and he was really only expected to go out and be a defensive specialist.  This year he's been asked to take on the role of the #2 scoring option AND still play that same brand of defense.  Bradley has been forced to take a lot of shots on a team that has no other scorers, and he's he has still shot very solid percentages from the field despite this.  He shoots 45% from midrange - a very good percentage given that Bass (a guy famous for being an elite midrange shooter) tends to shoot around 46%.  This figure is well above the league average (around 40%).

4) Never been a lockdown defender?  Allowing me to post a quote for you:

"And finally we have Bradley's defense. Even the biggest Bradley fan would admit that Bradley is, at best, average offensively (although I think we've started to prove that his inefficiency puts him in the below average class), and that most of his value comes on the other end of the floor. Last season, Bradley made the NBA's All-Defense team for the first time in his career, posting some of the best individual defensive numbers in basketball. According to Synergy Sports, Bradley allowed only 0.73 points per play on the defensive end, and held his opponents to just 32.3% shooting. In isolation those numbers went down to 0.67 ppp allowed and 30.3%. When you consider that he constantly matches up with the opponents best guard, these numbers are flat out ridiculous.

This season, those numbers have fallen (or risen I guess?) to 0.85 ppp allowed and 38.2% FG overall, and in isolation he has crashed all the way to 1.09 ppp allowed and a 52.9% FG. But I don't think that it's fair to pin this all on Bradley, but instead, look at how the Celtics are using him.

Earlier this year, Brad Stevens said that he wanted Bradley to work on his help defense and start moving away from his lockdown defender role. Stevens' defensive system clearly puts less emphasis on 1-on-1 defending and more emphasis on team defense and help than Doc Rivers' system did. And according to Synergy, that shows in the numbers, as Bradley is guarding an opponent in isolation in just 9% of his defensive possessions this season, down from 23% last season." 

You can fairly argue that Bradley is not a lockdown defender this season, but to say that he was NEVER a lock down defender is one of the silliest things I have ever heard.  You could very easilly argue that he was the best defensive guard in the entire league last season if you look at statistics alone.  This year he's been nowhere near as good defensively - part of that probably has to do with the fact that he has more responsibility (he is being forced to be a #2 scoring option as well, which will of course tire him out more) and partly to do with the gameplan that is being imposed on him by the coach.  Rest assured, in the right scenario Bradley may well be the best backcourt defender in the league.

All of you guys who think Bradley won't get a strong offer in free agency...I think you are dreaming.  If Danny gets a chance to keep Bradley by matching a $5M offer sheet he will be laughing all the way to the bank.  This is a very unlikely scenario.  Bradley is an 'everyteam' guy.  He has the kind of skill set (hardworking defensive specialist who can score) that almost any playoff team would love to add. He has the talent, athleticism, youth, work ethic, upside and playoff experience that any young developing team would love to add to their core.

I can assure you guys now, if OJ Mayo can get the type of money he got, Bradley will get somewhere around the $8M mark...and Danny will likely match because he can go over the cap to resign Bradley, but the Celtic's cap situation next year will not allow them to sign a quality replacement if Bradley walks.

[pearljammer10]

Again to the people who are agianst his signing hes a 23 year old lockdown guard who can score..

No, he isn't. Particularly where the second part of this statement is concerned. He can chuck a lot of long jumpers, and may have big scoring nights when those go down. Ultimately, however, they're still long jumpers -- that is, one of the less efficient shots in the game.

What did Ray Allen do when he was here?  Those long jumpers he kept shooting sure helped us a lot in winning that title in '08, didn't they?

If you had a chance to sign Steph Curry in free agency, bet you'd jump at the chance.  You know, that guy who chucks a lot of long jumpers?

I bet you LOVE Sully too.  That big guy who chucks threes like they are going out of fashion, and hits 1 in 4.

Over his career Avery Bradley has attempted 2.7 three point shots per 36 minutes, and has connected on just over 35% of those.  This year he has attempted 3.6 per 36 minutes and shot them at an improved rate of just over 37%.

Over his career he has attempted 6.7 two point shots per 36 minutes, and he's hit those at 46%.  This year he's averaging 10.7 attempts per 36 minutes, but still shooting at 46%.

He's attempted 1.8 free throw attempts per 36 minutes and converted on those at at rate of 76%.  This season he's attempted 2.1 attempts per 36 and still shooting at 76%.

Right now Bradley is shooting at a very solid rate for a guard.  Almost any coach in the league would be happy to have a guard who is scoring 17 points per 36 minutes on 44% field goals, 37% three pointers and 76% free throws - regardless of how those points are coming.

Today Bradley got multiple layups by beating his defender off the dribble and blowing by to the basket for an easy two points.  This created space that allowed him to get his shots off, which he was hitting at a very good rate.

Again, everybody here complains about Bradley being a 'chucker' despite the fact that he is getting his offense from a number of different methods (off pullups, off spot ups, off drives, off cuts) and the fact that he is shooting with very respectable efficiency despite being forced to play a bigger role then he is used to on offense.

You guys needs to understand that offensively Bradley has been very solid this year.  You could make a legit argument that he has been the best offensive player on this team - Green has scored more points per game, but he's also played more minutes and shot a lower percentage from the field and from three.  He's done that while holding opponents to 35% FG shooting on defense.

As for Bradley having 'potential', this is a myth. The guy's rookie contract is done, and he's gotten progressively worse in both sides of the floor despite being given every opportunity this year to succeed. He is awful as an offensive player. He was limited before, but stayed within his limitations as a terrible ball handler and terrible passer who has no basketball sense, and a poor shooter. This year he went beyond that and became a total chucker, probably trying to earn himself a contract but killing his chances by doing so.

On the defensive end, he excels at one thing, pressuring the ball. That's it. That is his 'one dimension'. He has never been a lockdown defender. This is another myth. Guards have repeatedly killed him in important games. He is an undersized SG with poor offensive skills who excels at pressuring the ball but thinks he's Kobe on offense. Add his injury history to this and he will be lucky to get 4 million/year next year.

This is just silly.

So what you are trying to say is that Bradley has not improved in any way - he has become worse in every aspect of his game except for passing and ball handling, in which he is just as bad as ever.

1) Bradley has averaged 1.8 turnovers Per 36 minutes this season - the lowest of his career.  His assists have dropped from 2.2 AP36 (career number) to 1.6 AP36 (this season - a natural drop off given that he has played almost exclusively at the SG spot this year, while he played a lot of PG in past seasons.  Yes, these are still very mediocre numbers for a PG...but Bradley is not a PG.

2)  Aweful as an offensive player?  Bradley is averaging 17 point per 36 minutes while shooting 44% from the field, 37% from three and 76% from the line.  They are very solid numbers, especially given his change of role.  Last season Bradley was at best a 6th scoring option after Pierce, KG, Green, Rondo and Bass.  There was basically zero expectation for him to score and he was really only expected to go out and be a defensive specialist.  This year he's been asked to take on the role of the #2 scoring option AND still play that same brand of defense.  Bradley has been forced to take a lot of shots on a team that has no other scorers, and he's he has still shot very solid percentages from the field despite this.  He shoots 45% from midrange - a very good percentage given that Bass (a guy famous for being an elite midrange shooter) tends to shoot around 46%.  This figure is well above the league average (around 40%).

4) Never been a lockdown defender?  Allowing me to post a quote for you:

"And finally we have Bradley's defense. Even the biggest Bradley fan would admit that Bradley is, at best, average offensively (although I think we've started to prove that his inefficiency puts him in the below average class), and that most of his value comes on the other end of the floor. Last season, Bradley made the NBA's All-Defense team for the first time in his career, posting some of the best individual defensive numbers in basketball. According to Synergy Sports, Bradley allowed only 0.73 points per play on the defensive end, and held his opponents to just 32.3% shooting. In isolation those numbers went down to 0.67 ppp allowed and 30.3%. When you consider that he constantly matches up with the opponents best guard, these numbers are flat out ridiculous.

This season, those numbers have fallen (or risen I guess?) to 0.85 ppp allowed and 38.2% FG overall, and in isolation he has crashed all the way to 1.09 ppp allowed and a 52.9% FG. But I don't think that it's fair to pin this all on Bradley, but instead, look at how the Celtics are using him.

Earlier this year, Brad Stevens said that he wanted Bradley to work on his help defense and start moving away from his lockdown defender role. Stevens' defensive system clearly puts less emphasis on 1-on-1 defending and more emphasis on team defense and help than Doc Rivers' system did. And according to Synergy, that shows in the numbers, as Bradley is guarding an opponent in isolation in just 9% of his defensive possessions this season, down from 23% last season." 

You can fairly argue that Bradley is not a lockdown defender this season, but to say that he was NEVER a lock down defender is one of the silliest things I have ever heard.  You could very easilly argue that he was the best defensive guard in the entire league last season if you look at statistics alone.  This year he's been nowhere near as good defensively - part of that probably has to do with the fact that he has more responsibility (he is being forced to be a #2 scoring option as well, which will of course tire him out more) and partly to do with the gameplan that is being imposed on him by the coach.  Rest assured, in the right scenario Bradley may well be the best backcourt defender in the league.

All of you guys who think Bradley won't get a strong offer in free agency...I think you are dreaming.  If Danny gets a chance to keep Bradley by matching a $5M offer sheet he will be laughing all the way to the bank.  This is a very unlikely scenario.  Bradley is an 'everyteam' guy.  He has the kind of skill set (hardworking defensive specialist who can score) that almost any playoff team would love to add. He has the talent, athleticism, youth, work ethic, upside and playoff experience that any young developing team would love to add to their core.

I can assure you guys now, if OJ Mayo can get the type of money he got, Bradley will get somewhere around the $8M mark...and Danny will likely match because he can go over the cap to resign Bradley, but the Celtic's cap situation next year will not allow them to sign a quality replacement if Bradley walks.

1. Did you really just compare Avery Bradley to Ray Allen and Steph Curry? Ray Allen's long jumpers helped us win? Of course they did, he's the best freaking three point shooter of all time.

Curry is a chucker? I just see Curry as the best shooter in the game, a legit all star who averages 24 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds and a 23.5 PER while shooting 42% from three I could say he can take all the shots he wants to.

Comparing Avery Bradley to either of these guys is just ludicrous.

2. I hate per 36 minute stats. I could make the argument that Birdman should be an All Star this year because "if" he played 36 minutes per game he would average 12points, 10 rebounds, and almost 3 blocks per game while shooting 67% from the floor.... But he doesn't play 36 minutes a game so who cares.

3. If Ainge gives Bradley 8 million a year I will eat my hat and become a Lakers fan. Cause if that happens, then Ainge has lost his mind and we have no hope for our rebuild.

[hpantazo]

Again to the people who are agianst his signing hes a 23 year old lockdown guard who can score..

No, he isn't. Particularly where the second part of this statement is concerned. He can chuck a lot of long jumpers, and may have big scoring nights when those go down. Ultimately, however, they're still long jumpers -- that is, one of the less efficient shots in the game.

What did Ray Allen do when he was here?  Those long jumpers he kept shooting sure helped us a lot in winning that title in '08, didn't they?

If you had a chance to sign Steph Curry in free agency, bet you'd jump at the chance.  You know, that guy who chucks a lot of long jumpers?

I bet you LOVE Sully too.  That big guy who chucks threes like they are going out of fashion, and hits 1 in 4.

Over his career Avery Bradley has attempted 2.7 three point shots per 36 minutes, and has connected on just over 35% of those.  This year he has attempted 3.6 per 36 minutes and shot them at an improved rate of just over 37%.

Over his career he has attempted 6.7 two point shots per 36 minutes, and he's hit those at 46%.  This year he's averaging 10.7 attempts per 36 minutes, but still shooting at 46%.

He's attempted 1.8 free throw attempts per 36 minutes and converted on those at at rate of 76%.  This season he's attempted 2.1 attempts per 36 and still shooting at 76%.

Right now Bradley is shooting at a very solid rate for a guard.  Almost any coach in the league would be happy to have a guard who is scoring 17 points per 36 minutes on 44% field goals, 37% three pointers and 76% free throws - regardless of how those points are coming.

Today Bradley got multiple layups by beating his defender off the dribble and blowing by to the basket for an easy two points.  This created space that allowed him to get his shots off, which he was hitting at a very good rate.

Again, everybody here complains about Bradley being a 'chucker' despite the fact that he is getting his offense from a number of different methods (off pullups, off spot ups, off drives, off cuts) and the fact that he is shooting with very respectable efficiency despite being forced to play a bigger role then he is used to on offense.

You guys needs to understand that offensively Bradley has been very solid this year.  You could make a legit argument that he has been the best offensive player on this team - Green has scored more points per game, but he's also played more minutes and shot a lower percentage from the field and from three.  He's done that while holding opponents to 35% FG shooting on defense.

As for Bradley having 'potential', this is a myth. The guy's rookie contract is done, and he's gotten progressively worse in both sides of the floor despite being given every opportunity this year to succeed. He is awful as an offensive player. He was limited before, but stayed within his limitations as a terrible ball handler and terrible passer who has no basketball sense, and a poor shooter. This year he went beyond that and became a total chucker, probably trying to earn himself a contract but killing his chances by doing so.

On the defensive end, he excels at one thing, pressuring the ball. That's it. That is his 'one dimension'. He has never been a lockdown defender. This is another myth. Guards have repeatedly killed him in important games. He is an undersized SG with poor offensive skills who excels at pressuring the ball but thinks he's Kobe on offense. Add his injury history to this and he will be lucky to get 4 million/year next year.

This is just silly.

So what you are trying to say is that Bradley has not improved in any way - he has become worse in every aspect of his game except for passing and ball handling, in which he is just as bad as ever.

1) Bradley has averaged 1.8 turnovers Per 36 minutes this season - the lowest of his career.  His assists have dropped from 2.2 AP36 (career number) to 1.6 AP36 (this season - a natural drop off given that he has played almost exclusively at the SG spot this year, while he played a lot of PG in past seasons.  Yes, these are still very mediocre numbers for a PG...but Bradley is not a PG.

2)  Aweful as an offensive player?  Bradley is averaging 17 point per 36 minutes while shooting 44% from the field, 37% from three and 76% from the line.  They are very solid numbers, especially given his change of role.  Last season Bradley was at best a 6th scoring option after Pierce, KG, Green, Rondo and Bass.  There was basically zero expectation for him to score and he was really only expected to go out and be a defensive specialist.  This year he's been asked to take on the role of the #2 scoring option AND still play that same brand of defense.  Bradley has been forced to take a lot of shots on a team that has no other scorers, and he's he has still shot very solid percentages from the field despite this.  He shoots 45% from midrange - a very good percentage given that Bass (a guy famous for being an elite midrange shooter) tends to shoot around 46%.  This figure is well above the league average (around 40%).

4) Never been a lockdown defender?  Allowing me to post a quote for you:

"And finally we have Bradley's defense. Even the biggest Bradley fan would admit that Bradley is, at best, average offensively (although I think we've started to prove that his inefficiency puts him in the below average class), and that most of his value comes on the other end of the floor. Last season, Bradley made the NBA's All-Defense team for the first time in his career, posting some of the best individual defensive numbers in basketball. According to Synergy Sports, Bradley allowed only 0.73 points per play on the defensive end, and held his opponents to just 32.3% shooting. In isolation those numbers went down to 0.67 ppp allowed and 30.3%. When you consider that he constantly matches up with the opponents best guard, these numbers are flat out ridiculous.

This season, those numbers have fallen (or risen I guess?) to 0.85 ppp allowed and 38.2% FG overall, and in isolation he has crashed all the way to 1.09 ppp allowed and a 52.9% FG. But I don't think that it's fair to pin this all on Bradley, but instead, look at how the Celtics are using him.

Earlier this year, Brad Stevens said that he wanted Bradley to work on his help defense and start moving away from his lockdown defender role. Stevens' defensive system clearly puts less emphasis on 1-on-1 defending and more emphasis on team defense and help than Doc Rivers' system did. And according to Synergy, that shows in the numbers, as Bradley is guarding an opponent in isolation in just 9% of his defensive possessions this season, down from 23% last season." 

You can fairly argue that Bradley is not a lockdown defender this season, but to say that he was NEVER a lock down defender is one of the silliest things I have ever heard.  You could very easilly argue that he was the best defensive guard in the entire league last season if you look at statistics alone.  This year he's been nowhere near as good defensively - part of that probably has to do with the fact that he has more responsibility (he is being forced to be a #2 scoring option as well, which will of course tire him out more) and partly to do with the gameplan that is being imposed on him by the coach.  Rest assured, in the right scenario Bradley may well be the best backcourt defender in the league.

All of you guys who think Bradley won't get a strong offer in free agency...I think you are dreaming.  If Danny gets a chance to keep Bradley by matching a $5M offer sheet he will be laughing all the way to the bank.  This is a very unlikely scenario.  Bradley is an 'everyteam' guy.  He has the kind of skill set (hardworking defensive specialist who can score) that almost any playoff team would love to add. He has the talent, athleticism, youth, work ethic, upside and playoff experience that any young developing team would love to add to their core.

I can assure you guys now, if OJ Mayo can get the type of money he got, Bradley will get somewhere around the $8M mark...and Danny will likely match because he can go over the cap to resign Bradley, but the Celtic's cap situation next year will not allow them to sign a quality replacement if Bradley walks.

1. Did you really just compare Avery Bradley to Ray Allen and Steph Curry? Ray Allen's long jumpers helped us win? Of course they did, he's the best freaking three point shooter of all time.

Curry is a chucker? I just see Curry as the best shooter in the game, a legit all star who averages 24 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds and a 23.5 PER while shooting 42% from three I could say he can take all the shots he wants to.

Comparing Avery Bradley to either of these guys is just ludicrous.

2. I hate per 36 minute stats. I could make the argument that Birdman should be an All Star this year because "if" he played 36 minutes per game he would average 12points, 10 rebounds, and almost 3 blocks per game while shooting 67% from the floor.... But he doesn't play 36 minutes a game so who cares.

3. If Ainge gives Bradley 8 million a year I will eat my hat and become a Lakers fan. Cause if that happens, then Ainge has lost his mind and we have no hope for our rebuild.

LOL at comparing Bradley to Stephen Curry and Ray Allen!!!! That's absurd!!! This is golden.

Also another example of pulling meaningless stats out of one's rear end to extrapolate to calling them a lockdown defender when they have failed to lockdown anyone in important games. Bradley is a limited, injury prone role player. He is what he is.

[playdream]

AB is my favorite player on the team so I'm not going to argue with you guys what his value is b/c it would go on forever.

I will say to the people saying AB wasn't injured last season... AB said this off-season that he couldn't eat and lost a lot of weight that he just wasn't  right at the end of the season, that he was worn down by the end. Now, I don't have a link b/c I don't feel like searching for it but if you don't believe, that's fine. He had a half a season off of double shouler surgery, of course he would be spent by the time the end of the season came around.

Saying AB can't even defend Felton is laughable, as if that means ANYTHING, all players have a bad matchup with someone (that said, i don't care what happened in that series, AB can guard Felton just fine). He can guard and clamp down the best of them. LeBron can't guard Jeff Green... does that make him any less a great defender? Yeah, didn't think so.

We are in big trouble if our starting SG can't guard felton for whatever reason ,(either because he is injury prone or it's a bad matchup), I mean it's FELTON.
If you have watched the game, yes Felton is hot in that series but besides of that he just crushed AB like an elephant step on the ant
we know when Jeff Green is hot NOBODY can guard him, Felton? didn't think so

[playdream]

Again to the people who are agianst his signing hes a 23 year old lockdown guard who can score..

No, he isn't. Particularly where the second part of this statement is concerned. He can chuck a lot of long jumpers, and may have big scoring nights when those go down. Ultimately, however, they're still long jumpers -- that is, one of the less efficient shots in the game.

What did Ray Allen do when he was here?  Those long jumpers he kept shooting sure helped us a lot in winning that title in '08, didn't they?

If you had a chance to sign Steph Curry in free agency, bet you'd jump at the chance.  You know, that guy who chucks a lot of long jumpers?

I bet you LOVE Sully too.  That big guy who chucks threes like they are going out of fashion, and hits 1 in 4.

Over his career Avery Bradley has attempted 2.7 three point shots per 36 minutes, and has connected on just over 35% of those.  This year he has attempted 3.6 per 36 minutes and shot them at an improved rate of just over 37%.

Over his career he has attempted 6.7 two point shots per 36 minutes, and he's hit those at 46%.  This year he's averaging 10.7 attempts per 36 minutes, but still shooting at 46%.

He's attempted 1.8 free throw attempts per 36 minutes and converted on those at at rate of 76%.  This season he's attempted 2.1 attempts per 36 and still shooting at 76%.

Right now Bradley is shooting at a very solid rate for a guard.  Almost any coach in the league would be happy to have a guard who is scoring 17 points per 36 minutes on 44% field goals, 37% three pointers and 76% free throws - regardless of how those points are coming.

Today Bradley got multiple layups by beating his defender off the dribble and blowing by to the basket for an easy two points.  This created space that allowed him to get his shots off, which he was hitting at a very good rate.

Again, everybody here complains about Bradley being a 'chucker' despite the fact that he is getting his offense from a number of different methods (off pullups, off spot ups, off drives, off cuts) and the fact that he is shooting with very respectable efficiency despite being forced to play a bigger role then he is used to on offense.

You guys needs to understand that offensively Bradley has been very solid this year.  You could make a legit argument that he has been the best offensive player on this team - Green has scored more points per game, but he's also played more minutes and shot a lower percentage from the field and from three.  He's done that while holding opponents to 35% FG shooting on defense.

As for Bradley having 'potential', this is a myth. The guy's rookie contract is done, and he's gotten progressively worse in both sides of the floor despite being given every opportunity this year to succeed. He is awful as an offensive player. He was limited before, but stayed within his limitations as a terrible ball handler and terrible passer who has no basketball sense, and a poor shooter. This year he went beyond that and became a total chucker, probably trying to earn himself a contract but killing his chances by doing so.

On the defensive end, he excels at one thing, pressuring the ball. That's it. That is his 'one dimension'. He has never been a lockdown defender. This is another myth. Guards have repeatedly killed him in important games. He is an undersized SG with poor offensive skills who excels at pressuring the ball but thinks he's Kobe on offense. Add his injury history to this and he will be lucky to get 4 million/year next year.

This is just silly.

So what you are trying to say is that Bradley has not improved in any way - he has become worse in every aspect of his game except for passing and ball handling, in which he is just as bad as ever.

1) Bradley has averaged 1.8 turnovers Per 36 minutes this season - the lowest of his career.  His assists have dropped from 2.2 AP36 (career number) to 1.6 AP36 (this season - a natural drop off given that he has played almost exclusively at the SG spot this year, while he played a lot of PG in past seasons.  Yes, these are still very mediocre numbers for a PG...but Bradley is not a PG.

2)  Aweful as an offensive player?  Bradley is averaging 17 point per 36 minutes while shooting 44% from the field, 37% from three and 76% from the line.  They are very solid numbers, especially given his change of role.  Last season Bradley was at best a 6th scoring option after Pierce, KG, Green, Rondo and Bass.  There was basically zero expectation for him to score and he was really only expected to go out and be a defensive specialist.  This year he's been asked to take on the role of the #2 scoring option AND still play that same brand of defense.  Bradley has been forced to take a lot of shots on a team that has no other scorers, and he's he has still shot very solid percentages from the field despite this.  He shoots 45% from midrange - a very good percentage given that Bass (a guy famous for being an elite midrange shooter) tends to shoot around 46%.  This figure is well above the league average (around 40%).

4) Never been a lockdown defender?  Allowing me to post a quote for you:

"And finally we have Bradley's defense. Even the biggest Bradley fan would admit that Bradley is, at best, average offensively (although I think we've started to prove that his inefficiency puts him in the below average class), and that most of his value comes on the other end of the floor. Last season, Bradley made the NBA's All-Defense team for the first time in his career, posting some of the best individual defensive numbers in basketball. According to Synergy Sports, Bradley allowed only 0.73 points per play on the defensive end, and held his opponents to just 32.3% shooting. In isolation those numbers went down to 0.67 ppp allowed and 30.3%. When you consider that he constantly matches up with the opponents best guard, these numbers are flat out ridiculous.

This season, those numbers have fallen (or risen I guess?) to 0.85 ppp allowed and 38.2% FG overall, and in isolation he has crashed all the way to 1.09 ppp allowed and a 52.9% FG. But I don't think that it's fair to pin this all on Bradley, but instead, look at how the Celtics are using him.

Earlier this year, Brad Stevens said that he wanted Bradley to work on his help defense and start moving away from his lockdown defender role. Stevens' defensive system clearly puts less emphasis on 1-on-1 defending and more emphasis on team defense and help than Doc Rivers' system did. And according to Synergy, that shows in the numbers, as Bradley is guarding an opponent in isolation in just 9% of his defensive possessions this season, down from 23% last season." 

You can fairly argue that Bradley is not a lockdown defender this season, but to say that he was NEVER a lock down defender is one of the silliest things I have ever heard.  You could very easilly argue that he was the best defensive guard in the entire league last season if you look at statistics alone.  This year he's been nowhere near as good defensively - part of that probably has to do with the fact that he has more responsibility (he is being forced to be a #2 scoring option as well, which will of course tire him out more) and partly to do with the gameplan that is being imposed on him by the coach.  Rest assured, in the right scenario Bradley may well be the best backcourt defender in the league.

All of you guys who think Bradley won't get a strong offer in free agency...I think you are dreaming.  If Danny gets a chance to keep Bradley by matching a $5M offer sheet he will be laughing all the way to the bank.  This is a very unlikely scenario.  Bradley is an 'everyteam' guy.  He has the kind of skill set (hardworking defensive specialist who can score) that almost any playoff team would love to add. He has the talent, athleticism, youth, work ethic, upside and playoff experience that any young developing team would love to add to their core.

I can assure you guys now, if OJ Mayo can get the type of money he got, Bradley will get somewhere around the $8M mark...and Danny will likely match because he can go over the cap to resign Bradley, but the Celtic's cap situation next year will not allow them to sign a quality replacement if Bradley walks.

1. Did you really just compare Avery Bradley to Ray Allen and Steph Curry? Ray Allen's long jumpers helped us win? Of course they did, he's the best freaking three point shooter of all time.

Curry is a chucker? I just see Curry as the best shooter in the game, a legit all star who averages 24 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds and a 23.5 PER while shooting 42% from three I could say he can take all the shots he wants to.

Comparing Avery Bradley to either of these guys is just ludicrous.

2. I hate per 36 minute stats. I could make the argument that Birdman should be an All Star this year because "if" he played 36 minutes per game he would average 12points, 10 rebounds, and almost 3 blocks per game while shooting 67% from the floor.... But he doesn't play 36 minutes a game so who cares.

3. If Ainge gives Bradley 8 million a year I will eat my hat and become a Lakers fan. Cause if that happens, then Ainge has lost his mind and we have no hope for our rebuild.

LOL at comparing Bradley to Stephen Curry and Ray Allen!!!! That's absurd!!! This is golden.

Also another example of pulling meaningless stats out of one's rear end to extrapolate to calling them a lockdown defender when they have failed to lockdown anyone in important games. Bradley is a limited, injury prone role player. He is what he is.

I will give him 8M/y if he can shoot like Curry
BUT HE CAN'T

[wahz]

I am torn on this.  On the one hand, he is a 23 year old who is scoring 14+ points a game, showing steady improvement offensively and flashes of brilliance, and has proven to be an All-Defensive team player.  On the other side, he is a tweener who is at his best when he can cross-match, and he has a pretty long injury history. 

I actually think his market value could be close to 7-8 million per year, based on the fact that he could very well take another leap next year if he continues to improve his shooting and offensive feel, and if he does that it would make him a bargain.  The problem is he is a restricted free agent, which will probably really limit the market for him.  Teams are going to shy away from him, because they know the C's will match anything reasonable.  They might have to pay him $10 million a year to be sure the C's wouldn't match, and at that point it would be too much.

My guess is that Danny will try to offer him 6 or 7 million a year again, and Avery will want a shorter term contract, so if he does continue to improve, he can get really paid sooner.  I also wouldn't be shocked if he signs the qualifying offer.  He is kind of in that weird no-mans land, where he still hasn't proven enough both on the floor and healthwise to show he can be counted on as the consistent impact player he has shown flashes of, but he has enough potential that another year might be what it takes to put him over the top, and get him from that "just above MLE" pay range into the secondary star pay range.

My feeling are simple: I'd rather pay him 6 mill per than lose him for nothing at all. Losing him for nothing is not a smart move in any scenario.

[PaulAllen]

AB is my favorite player on the team so I'm not going to argue with you guys what his value is b/c it would go on forever.

I will say to the people saying AB wasn't injured last season... AB said this off-season that he couldn't eat and lost a lot of weight that he just wasn't  right at the end of the season, that he was worn down by the end. Now, I don't have a link b/c I don't feel like searching for it but if you don't believe, that's fine. He had a half a season off of double shouler surgery, of course he would be spent by the time the end of the season came around.

Saying AB can't even defend Felton is laughable, as if that means ANYTHING, all players have a bad matchup with someone (that said, i don't care what happened in that series, AB can guard Felton just fine). He can guard and clamp down the best of them. LeBron can't guard Jeff Green... does that make him any less a great defender? Yeah, didn't think so.

We are in big trouble if our starting SG can't guard felton for whatever reason ,(either because he is injury prone or it's a bad matchup), I mean it's FELTON.
If you have watched the game, yes Felton is hot in that series but besides of that he just crushed AB like an elephant step on the ant
we know when Jeff Green is hot NOBODY can guard him, Felton? didn't think so

Im comical how some of you are bringing in Felton on ONE series.. Yea so what hes looking pretty good even off injury now... hes young.... maybe he was going through some stuff in his life...who knows... This one series Felton nonsense is a joke ... support your team...support your players...

[PaulAllen]

and to all who feel he is not worth 6/7 mil a year its good you are not the GM of this team and Danny is.. he will pay it

[nickagneta]

It was reported during last year's playoffs that Bradley was playing through a pretty bad stomach flu for the first few games of that New York series. It definitely effected his play.

That said, Bradley has never guarded Felton very well. Every great defensive player has someone that they struggle against. Happens to the best of defensive players. Doesn't mean Bradley isn't a great defender because he happens to struggle against a certain player.