Stevens want AB to get back to his defensive roots

[sed522002]

I had a long talk with Avery this morning that, a lot of people can score, a lot of people can handle, a lot of people can make plays with the ball,” Brad Stevens said. “Very few people can do those things and change the energy of the game with their intensity level. That’s a hard thing to do day-to-day, practice-to-practice.”

Stevens plans to put Bradley in position to re-establish himself as a defensive star. The coach said on Thursday that Bradley will defend the opposing team’s primary ball handler much more often this season compared to a season ago.

Bradley seemingly cannot wait for that challenge to come down the pike. Thanks to a gentle nudge from his head coach, Bradley will put offense on the back burner and refocus his energy on playing like a defensive star.

http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/bradley-refocuses-energy-stevens-urging

[BudweiserCeltic]

Seems like he's back tracking on his initial plan defensively for him, which I thought was a dumb move (and clearly affected Bradley's defensive impact). Sure you keep your player with more energy throughout the game, but you're depriving him of his best asset, which is pressuring the ball from the get go and be a pest.

So nice to hear.

[D.o.s.]

Well, that only took about 82 games too many.

[sed522002]

Seems like he's back tracking on his initial plan defensively for him, which I thought was a dumb move (and clearly affected Bradley's defensive impact). Sure you keep your player with more energy throughout the game, but you're depriving him of his best asset, which is pressuring the ball from the get go and be a pest.

So nice to hear.

Yep, my exact thinking. I'm liking that Brad is willing to change something if he sees it's not having the impact he expected instead of riding it out hoping something changes. I think most of the posters on here noticed last season that AB wasn't as aggressive (aside from injuries) due to the orders of the coach. This should also please some of the people that considered AB Kobe lite (in the ball chucking aspect) 

[pearljammer10]

Hallelujah and praise the lord.

This might mean I can go back to liking (semi-liking) Bradley again.

[incoherent]

Im pretty sure the idea of Avery not pressuring on D last year was his agent's idea. The best way to get paid in this league is to put the ball in the hoop and AB had to prove that in a contract year.

You guys can blame Brad but I kinda doubt Brad had any say in it. Of course, AB loves defense, so he's more then willing to go back to defense now that he has secured his millions. 

All this aside, this pumps me up. The Honey Badger is back!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klEhx2FQe50

[sed522002]

Im pretty sure the idea of Avery not pressuring on D last year was his agent's idea. The best way to get paid in this league is to put the ball in the hoop and AB had to prove that in a contract year.

You guys can blame Brad but I kinda doubt Brad had any say in it. Of course, AB loves defense, so he's more then willing to go back to defense now that he has secured his millions. 

All this aside, this pumps me up. The Honey Badger is back!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klEhx2FQe50

No, he actually said it out of his mouth that he wanted AB more off the ball. Be a better team defense player instead of pressuring all the time.

Avery:

“They want me to be disciplined, pick my spots every now and then, pick up fullcourt but get back and play angles. They’re just trying to make me into a great team defender, as well as an individual defender.”

Brad:

Explaining the move, head coach Brad Stevens said, “I think what people think Avery’s really good at is true, is picking the ball up the court. But he can be really, really good off the ball. And that’s where we think we can get even better, is off the ball.

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2013/10/boston_celtics_news_2013_avery_3.html

[mmmmm]

Well, that only took about 82 games too many.

Well … it was a "developmental" 82 games ….

[mmmmm]

I'd heard comments elsewhere that Rondo had put in a lot of endurance and footwork this off season intending to go back to doing more ball-pressure as well. 

Considering that apparently Stevens himself was one of Rondo's main workout partners all summer, that may be representative of what Stevens intends to do defensively:  Full court press.

He'll always be able to have two very good ball-pressure defenders on the court with Rondo, Bradley and Smart so this is something they could keep up all game.

It's tricky and risky if you don't have the right personnel, but if you have guys like Bradley who can 'stick' in front of his man like we've seen him do in the past, it really makes the rest of your defense better because they only have to defend a shorter shot clock.

[Who]

Sounds like Rondo will be spending a lot of time defending SGs.

[D.o.s.]

I'd heard comments elsewhere that Rondo had put in a lot of endurance and footwork this off season intending to go back to doing more ball-pressure as well. 

Considering that apparently Stevens himself was one of Rondo's main workout partners all summer, that may be representative of what Stevens intends to do defensively:  Full court press.

He'll always be able to have two very good ball-pressure defenders on the court with Rondo, Bradley and Smart so this is something they could keep up all game.

It's tricky and risky if you don't have the right personnel, but if you have guys like Bradley who can 'stick' in front of his man like we've seen him do in the past, it really makes the rest of your defense better because they only have to defend a shorter shot clock.

I'd heard comments elsewhere that Rondo had put in a lot of endurance and footwork this off season intending to go back to doing more ball-pressure as well. 

Considering that apparently Stevens himself was one of Rondo's main workout partners all summer, that may be representative of what Stevens intends to do defensively:  Full court press.

He'll always be able to have two very good ball-pressure defenders on the court with Rondo, Bradley and Smart so this is something they could keep up all game.

Considering that apparently Stevens himself was one of Rondo's main workout partners all summer, that may be representative of what Stevens intends to do defensively:  Full court press.

He'll always be able to have two very good ball-pressure defenders on the court with Rondo, Bradley and Smart so this is something they could keep up all game.

Considering that apparently Stevens himself was one of Rondo's main workout partners all summer, that may be representative of what Stevens intends to do defensively:  Full court press.

that may be representative of what Stevens intends to do defensively:  Full court press.

Full court press.

Full court press.

[clover]

Wouldn't surprise me if AB's been pressuring himself and getting down for not being able to keep up with Thornton's shooting--and maybe KO's, JG's, and JY's as well. Refocusing on his defense may also end up helping his offense if it helps to take the pressure off.

[GreenWarrior]

this is great to hear but I see no reason to believe Bradley won't still be taking shots with 23  sec's. on the shot clock.

[2short]

Seems like he's back tracking on his initial plan defensively for him, which I thought was a dumb move (and clearly affected Bradley's defensive impact). Sure you keep your player with more energy throughout the game, but you're depriving him of his best asset, which is pressuring the ball from the get go and be a pest.

So nice to hear.

agree
last year brad wanted ab to pull back a bit on the defensive energy saving some for offense
maybe this year he is looking at our three headed defensive monster (rondo, bradley, smart) and figures those three could keep up some pretty intense pressure all game
throw in other wings, green & wallace , we could be a pretty good defensive and rebounding team

[gift]

i can't help but think this has something to do with the team having more depth at the guard positions than last year. avery can afford to go all out because they can throw smart out there to pick things up where he leaves off defensively. also avery won't need to be as much of the offense so can afford to expend more on defense. i think it was the right strategy for last year, and the correct adjustment for this year.