Avery Bradley - lets give some credit where it's due

[Rosco917]

Yeah I've been hard on Bradley too. He's not perfect but he is handling being the go to guy well. He's a good kid, and a very hard worker. His jump shot is real pretty, he gets the shot off easily, he's not afraid to take the last shot. He seems to be expanding in the way he scores.
When Smart develops more, we're going to have a decent backcourt.

[saltlover]

Your numbers are wrong.

BR has Bradley at 19/4/2.5 in 35 minutes of action. Improved production likely mostly attributable to increased minutes. Also, this shooting percentage is probably not sustainable.

While your numbers are correct (should also be noted that Bradley is shooting 71% on FT, not in the 60s for the month), it's a bit of a stretch to say that AB's other numbers are due solely to an extra four minutes of playing time, as he's doing better on a per-minute rate for both assists and steals than he has for the year, as wel as turning the ball over less.  It certainly could be a random month, but increased minutes does not account for the numbers (if anything, the improved production accounts for the increased minutes).

It's also a stretch to say that his shooting isn't sustainable.  He's shooting 3's within a percentage point of his rate for all of last year, and at the same rate as his sophomore year.  His free throw rate percentage for the month is below his season and career averages.  The only number that really jumps out is his 2-point percentage.  I don't know if he's making more jumpers (less sustainable) or just taking closer shots (maybe sustainable).  Bradley is playing at his best right now, but he's not playing at a level so much higher than he's exhibited in the past that it would have to be seen as something that won't last.  It might not, but he's performed at most of these numbers at various times in his career over longer stretches.  They just generally haven't gone together.

It should also show the small increment between quakity NBA starter and rotstion player.  It doesn't take much.

[CFAN38]

its nice to see a positive AB post. I really like the future prospects of AB, IT and Smart. Just hope that Thomas can be solid on being a 6th man.

[kozlodoev]

When Bradley shot 49% from the field, 40% of his shots came from within 3 feet. If I remember correctly most of them were uncontested layups coming off the short corner. None of these are going to happen again with the level of regularity with which they were there when we had Garnett, Pierce, and Allen.

Much like any jump shooter, Bradley can be useful when he's on. Let's just hope that he's on more than he's off. I'm also secretly hoping for incremental improvement in all parts of his offensive game that are NOT a jump shot (already given up hope for any radical change there).

[kozlodoev]

its nice to see a positive AB post. I really like the future prospects of AB, IT and Smart. Just hope that Thomas can be solid on being a 6th man.

I hope someone could explain to Brad S that there is no particular reason for any of our three guards to be playing less than 30 minutes per game on a regular basis. Especially Thomas.

[BudweiserCeltic]

its nice to see a positive AB post. I really like the future prospects of AB, IT and Smart. Just hope that Thomas can be solid on being a 6th man.

I hope someone could explain to Brad S that there is no particular reason for any of our three guards to be playing less than 30 minutes per game on a regular basis. Especially Thomas.

Agreed, though I wonder if Ainge has been "forcing" him to some degree to play Young more. Ainge insinuated as much in various interviews in the past weeks.

[chambers]

What's impressed me with AB over the past 2 months is his rapid improvement utilizing the dribble breakdown to create plays.
I think don't think I've ever seen him create his own shot so regularly and I think the departure of Rondo and Green have given him the mental gratification and acceptance that he'll need to be the one to provide scoring and play making being a true 'veteran' of this young celtics team.

I think he's pulled at least 2-3 crossovers and turned the corner leaving his defenders and team mates with a look of surprise. It's exciting to see him take the reigns.

-he's signed the big secure contract
-he's had some time to grieve for his mother
-he's seen Rondo and Green go and has been with Rondo, KG, PG etc to enough to understand what leading a team is about.
-he's decided it's time to at least 'attempt' taking the next step in his career.

Well done AB.
Obviously he's having a hot streak but his game has certainly improved and he's obviously working hard and dtaying focused as the Celtics attempt to work out who they want as part of their future plans at the guard rotation.

[LooseCannon]

its nice to see a positive AB post. I really like the future prospects of AB, IT and Smart. Just hope that Thomas can be solid on being a 6th man.

I hope someone could explain to Brad S that there is no particular reason for any of our three guards to be playing less than 30 minutes per game on a regular basis. Especially Thomas.

There's no particular reason for them to be playing more than that, especially if you want to find some playing time for James Young at SG.  Green, Parker, and Ginobili all play less than 30 minutes per game for the Spurs.

Given that there are only 96 guard minutes per game, splitting most of those between three players usually means at least one is playing less than 30 minutes per game.

[LooseCannon]

When people admit that Avery Bradley can be a starter on a championship contender, they'll be giving him credit where it's due.

[kozlodoev]

its nice to see a positive AB post. I really like the future prospects of AB, IT and Smart. Just hope that Thomas can be solid on being a 6th man.

I hope someone could explain to Brad S that there is no particular reason for any of our three guards to be playing less than 30 minutes per game on a regular basis. Especially Thomas.

There's no particular reason for them to be playing more than that, especially if you want to find some playing time for James Young at SG.  Green, Parker, and Ginobili all play less than 30 minutes per game for the Spurs.

Given that there are only 96 guard minutes per game, splitting most of those between three players usually means at least one is playing less than 30 minutes per game.

Green, Parker, and Ginobili are a million years old. 96 guard minutes mean that all three players can be in the 30-36 range in some combination.

[LooseCannon]

its nice to see a positive AB post. I really like the future prospects of AB, IT and Smart. Just hope that Thomas can be solid on being a 6th man.

I hope someone could explain to Brad S that there is no particular reason for any of our three guards to be playing less than 30 minutes per game on a regular basis. Especially Thomas.

There's no particular reason for them to be playing more than that, especially if you want to find some playing time for James Young at SG.  Green, Parker, and Ginobili all play less than 30 minutes per game for the Spurs.

Given that there are only 96 guard minutes per game, splitting most of those between three players usually means at least one is playing less than 30 minutes per game.

Green, Parker, and Ginobili are a million years old. 96 guard minutes mean that all three players can be in the 30-36 range in some combination.

Danny Green is 27 and this is the third season that he has averaged less than 30mpg as a starter.  Giniobili has only had two seasons with at least 30 mpg (but did so in 6 out of 11 playoff runs).

Do you think Young should be getting minutes at SG/SF?  If so, how many of those should come at SG?  Subtract that number from 96.

[Asher77]

I was at the game last night and one thing that stood out about AB that I am not sure I appreciated to the extend I should is the amount of energy this guy maintains for the whole game. It is unreal.

There was nobody on the court last night who maintained the level of movement at both end of the floor. He works hard on defense and double so on offense to create the openings for his shot attempts.

Production can be another debate but his hustle is not in doubt.

[SHAQATTACK]

Yup ....Bradley was defensive very good .

He has added a nice outside jumper

I see he is finishing layup s and around the rim better these days too.

Like to see better passing .   But Avery has great hands catching the ball......

If he was a C grade at beginning of season last dozen games he is a B  or B + asset .


I think ....the one biggest small thing I noticed , is he has learned how to pace himself ......he now can score and has energy for some of of his elite defense too.   Before it was either or .

[kozlodoev]

its nice to see a positive AB post. I really like the future prospects of AB, IT and Smart. Just hope that Thomas can be solid on being a 6th man.

I hope someone could explain to Brad S that there is no particular reason for any of our three guards to be playing less than 30 minutes per game on a regular basis. Especially Thomas.

There's no particular reason for them to be playing more than that, especially if you want to find some playing time for James Young at SG.  Green, Parker, and Ginobili all play less than 30 minutes per game for the Spurs.

Given that there are only 96 guard minutes per game, splitting most of those between three players usually means at least one is playing less than 30 minutes per game.

Green, Parker, and Ginobili are a million years old. 96 guard minutes mean that all three players can be in the 30-36 range in some combination.

Danny Green is 27 and this is the third season that he has averaged less than 30mpg as a starter.  Giniobili has only had two seasons with at least 30 mpg (but did so in 6 out of 11 playoff runs).

Do you think Young should be getting minutes at SG/SF?  If so, how many of those should come at SG?  Subtract that number from 96.

Yeah, and Patty Mills is 26. Their guard rotation has more than 3 players, and Parker and Ginobili are old. If they weren't as old as they were, they'd be playing more.

If Young wants to play any minutes at SG or any other position, he should play better than the rotation players.

[Boris Badenov]

Your numbers are wrong.

BR has Bradley at 19/4/2.5 in 35 minutes of action. Improved production likely mostly attributable to increased minutes. Also, this shooting percentage is probably not sustainable.

It's also a stretch to say that his shooting isn't sustainable.  He's shooting 3's within a percentage point of his rate for all of last year, and at the same rate as his sophomore year.  His free throw rate percentage for the month is below his season and career averages.  The only number that really jumps out is his 2-point percentage.  I don't know if he's making more jumpers (less sustainable) or just taking closer shots (maybe sustainable). 

More jumpers *and* making them at a higher rate. (Though he's hotter from everywhere).

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bradlav01/shooting/2015/

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/plus/shooting.cgi?player_id=bradlav01&year_id=2015&month=2

He's shooting 47% from 16-23 which is very, very good. Even during his last good full year he shot 39% from there.

I do agree with your overall point though - this to me looks more like "high end of the normal range" than "outlier."