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

[Vermont Green]

I like AB and I think he still has upside.  He came in as a very young (emotionally) player but showed talent and ability, even when he was so nervous, he could barely dribble.  I don't see AB as a 20 ppg guy (there are only about 5 or 6 20 ppg SG), but I also don't think he needs to be or should try to be (at 20 ppg player).

I like the comparisons to Joe Dumars.  Dumars was stronger and better but the similarity is that Bradley can be a very effective combo guard.  We are seeing ball handling and passing improvement.  If he continues to improve a little bit more, he can be a legitimate weapon as an offensive minded PG.  I see more upside in that role than as a SG.  He may not realize the PG upside (may not have the chance on the Celtics due to Smart and Thomas), he still has to improve, but he is still progressing.

[kozlodoev]

His career average for 16+ ft two-pointers is 42.5% with a career-best season of 44.5%. I'd say 47% is a pretty big outlier.

[Evantime34]

Bradley has obviously played great since the all star break (not just the shooting and scoring but also the defense and steals).

People love to knock on his on dribble pull up coming off a screen but that is one of the best looks this team that lacks for offense will get.

I think if we add a player that draws the defense whether it be via the post up or dribble drives you will see Bradley become a lot more effective. Even since the all star break Bradley has had hot stretches only to have the opposing team change their defense to face guard him later in the game and limit his output.

Thomas will certainly help improve the quality of AB's shots but I'm hoping we draft someone with the potential to be a big time scorer who can draw the defense (that or WCS)

[kozlodoev]

I like the comparisons to Joe Dumars.  Dumars was stronger and better but the similarity is that Bradley can be a very effective combo guard.  We are seeing ball handling and passing improvement.  If he continues to improve a little bit more, he can be a legitimate weapon as an offensive minded PG.  I see more upside in that role than as a SG.  He may not realize the PG upside (may not have the chance on the Celtics due to Smart and Thomas), he still has to improve, but he is still progressing.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. The problem with Bradley was (and is) that he couldn't be trusted to do anything with the ball in his hands other than take up to one step and shoot it. When he was playing well for us, it was because (a) he wasn't TRYING to do anything else, and (b) the shots were falling.

He may be a useful player in this league for a while, but let's face it -- he telegraphs (or throws away) passes, can't finish around the rim unless he's wide open, and can't get to the free throw line. And that makes him a very limited player offensively.

[Dino Pitino]

Must be in a great mood since Ainge traded for I.T. because in the last 3 games he's averaging about 23 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Fifty percent shooting overall, 8-18 from deep. Two total turnovers. Game tying buzzer beating three.

[SHAQATTACK]

Must be in a great mood since Ainge traded for I.T. because in the last 3 games he's averaging about 23 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Fifty percent shooting overall, 8-18 from deep. Two total turnovers. Game tying buzzer beating three.

The defensive pressure lightened on AB......suns doubled IT like crazy.  This left AB and Crowder some nice looks .
IT draws attention ......

[SHAQATTACK]

I like the comparisons to Joe Dumars.  Dumars was stronger and better but the similarity is that Bradley can be a very effective combo guard.  We are seeing ball handling and passing improvement.  If he continues to improve a little bit more, he can be a legitimate weapon as an offensive minded PG.  I see more upside in that role than as a SG.  He may not realize the PG upside (may not have the chance on the Celtics due to Smart and Thomas), he still has to improve, but he is still progressing.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. The problem with Bradley was (and is) that he couldn't be trusted to do anything with the ball in his hands other than take up to one step and shoot it. When he was playing well for us, it was because (a) he wasn't TRYING to do anything else, and (b) the shots were falling.

He may be a useful player in this league for a while, but let's face it -- he telegraphs (or throws away) passes, can't finish around the rim unless he's wide open, and can't get to the free throw line. And that makes him a very limited player offensively.

AB passes about as well as Bass catches...LOL

[Dino Pitino]

Actually, I messed up earlier, the post-deadline averages for Bradley are more like 24 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals. With a 44.4% three-point percentage. All since we traded for his Tacoma bro, Isaiah...who wears #4. /whoa

[BornReady]

I'm kind of surprised that he is scoring over 20

But then again it has only been 9 games

Also sully is out so maybe they are running more plays for him

[mctyson]

Adding IT has been and will continue to be huge for AB.  It's the only true scorer he's ever been able to play with in the NBA.

[spikelovetheCelts]

I like the comparisons to Joe Dumars.  Dumars was stronger and better but the similarity is that Bradley can be a very effective combo guard.  We are seeing ball handling and passing improvement.  If he continues to improve a little bit more, he can be a legitimate weapon as an offensive minded PG.  I see more upside in that role than as a SG.  He may not realize the PG upside (may not have the chance on the Celtics due to Smart and Thomas), he still has to improve, but he is still progressing.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. The problem with Bradley was (and is) that he couldn't be trusted to do anything with the ball in his hands other than take up to one step and shoot it. When he was playing well for us, it was because (a) he wasn't TRYING to do anything else, and (b) the shots were falling.

He may be a useful player in this league for a while, but let's face it -- he telegraphs (or throws away) passes, can't finish around the rim unless he's wide open, and can't get to the free throw line. And that makes him a very limited player offensively.

AB is way more than a useful player. He is still growing as a player. I believe he will make an All-star team if Jeff Teague can so can Avery. His stroke is getting sweet and he is working on a floater in Practice too. With IT by his side he will blossom. Great Move DA.

[Jonny CC]

Per ESPN...FEB #s

18.9 pts

[Jonny CC]

Per Basketball Ref...

Min 34.2
pts 18.9
reb 3.8
asst 2.4
fg .483
ft .722

[BDeCosta26]

Wow, a positive AB thread? Does that mean we can finally stop with the "Bradley is overpaid" nonsense? Hes been so under appreciated for the past few seasons around here that I think he's highly underrated now. Anyone who expects AB to average 5 APG, create his own shot off the dribble consistently or put up 20 a game is fooling themselves.

What Avery Bradley is, a 3 and D guard who plays top-notch defense (the supposed erosion of which is totally overblown) has real value in today's NBA. He's still very young, only 23 or 24 maybe with room to grow and his 8 million a year is very reasonable. AB could be a starter on a playoff contender with the right back-court mate. Someone like Russ Westbrook or a prime D-Rose would be well served by one of the best 3 and D guys in the league. Even without someone like that, he's still a solid 6th man off the bench, especially if his handles and passing continue to improve. This guy shot 39% from 3 last season. I don't see why his current percentages are that outlandish. PPG output, maybe, but the shooting is definitely sustainable

The way Cs fans have been treating Bradley is the epitome of "grass is greener on the other side". If you subtract Waiters and add Bradley to that Thunder squad, when healthy they would be even more dangerous than they are right now. Even if the long term plan is to have AB come off the bench to inject some defensive intensity and 3 point shooting, 8 million a year is still a good price for what he brings. I think sometimes people forget the kids only 24 because he's been with us so long but still, Boston should be very happy with how good AB has become as the 19th pick in his draft. Most players picked there don't even sniff the kind of impact Bradley has already brought us and will continue to bring us. Appreciate what we have land it will make the whole rebuild easier.

[SHAQATTACK]

Wow, a positive AB thread? Does that mean we can finally stop with the "Bradley is overpaid" nonsense?

He is still overpaid .....just less than before is all.