avery bradley priceless

[rollie mass]

avery improves every season
avery was considered the best defensive guard in league by his peers add to that his scoring and improving 3 pointer
avery bradly is an all star its just on defense
his improving offence averaging 15.2 a game with 1.5 steals
this is the the guy who hounds the opposing best guard  whats that worth in points and in disruption of opponents flow
-now the addition of horford in free agency and not having to break up the young defensive core
free agency and draft seems the way to go
next year it could be hayward or noel added to nets pick
zizic a year older and yabusele
and amir .jerebco and zeller spots open

[coffee425]

absolutely underrated.

[Diggles]

A lot of strong statements....   Where you going with this?   Just optimism feel good post.  I love Avery.     I'd keep him and try to improve the Center spot more than the SG.    He can hold his own at the 2 On O and more than enough on D.   

[otherdave]

I would not trade Avery to get Gordon Hayward. 

[rollie mass]

gordon hayward a free agent--where am i going --its keep avery -keep marcus-keep crowder
use free agency and draft to build celts--avery a unappreciated star not even at his prime
-now avery has horford helping on defense
use free agency for rim protector

[Evantime34]

I'm a big Bradley fan, but I would be fine trading him if the situation dictated so.

Next season, we are going to need bigs. In order to create max cap space the C's will probably need to move on from Amir, Olynyk, Zeller and Jerebko. Ideally, we could bring Blake Griffin or Millsap in free agency, supplement that  big with another in the draft like Harry Giles and bring over Zizc/Yabu to take those 4 spots.

The problem is, the big market next year is projected to be scarce. So if we can't get a max salary big in free agency, but a max level wing/guard is available it might make sense to sign that player then use Bradley and/or Crowder as a trade chip to add a top notch big.

For example say we strike out on Griffin, but Hayward wants to come here. Dealing Bradley the 2018 nets pick and some other young players for Cousins would in effect upgrade two positions at the cost of Bradley.

Even though I like Bradley, I also could see a point in the future when Smart will deserve to be in the starting role and Bradley is the most likely option to move to the bench.

[hpantazo]

If we ever hope to beat teams with Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, etc., then we absolutely need to keep Bradley. In today's NBA he's more valuable to defensive success than a top tier rim protecting center.

[otherdave]

If we ever hope to beat teams with Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, etc., then we absolutely need to keep Bradley. In today's NBA he's more valuable to defensive success than a top tier rim protecting center.

This, tp.

[greece66]

He's a good player and I enjoy which him playing for us; but IMO it is quite likely the coming season will be the last one with the C's.

[dannyboy35]

I would not trade Avery to get Gordon Hayward.

I wouldn't either.

[dannyboy35]

Even if smart becomes an average shooter I just don't think he had the quickness to guard a pg let alone lock him down like Avery has.

[LarBrd33]

He's been great.  I'm not sure how dramatically he's improved, though.  Statistically, he put up similar numbers a few years ago when we were a bottom 5 team.   But he's doing it now while contributing to a solid playoff team.  I wish he was less injury prone.  We would have stood a better chance of getting out of the first round had he been healthy.

[BDeCosta26]

He's been great.  I'm not sure how dramatically he's improved, though.  Statistically, he put up similar numbers a few years ago when we were a bottom 5 team.   But he's doing it now while contributing to a solid playoff team.  I wish he was less injury prone.  We would have stood a better chance of getting out of the first round had he been healthy.

The fact that Avery had around the same stats this year that he did two years ago when he was like our top scoring option, while also being named 1st team All-Defense this year, speaks to how much he's improved. That's the tricky thing about stats. Avery's 15 PPG this year or w/e it was means WAY more than that 15 PPG did two years ago.

There's a few things from last season I really think have gone unnoticed around this place. For one, Avery's dribble/drive game got significantly better. He crossed over a couple dudes last season. He was able to take the ball to the hole from the perimeter on multiple occasions last year in fairly big moments. Adding that to his shooting and cutting is what makes him a true two way player.

Plus. I think KO's jump in offensive versatility last year went unnoticed because of his injury, and I think people are really ignoring the strides Smart made as a passer last season, but since this is about Avery, let's stick to that. Adding that dribble drive to his game is going to make him even more valuable going forward, and I expect him to play a pretty big role this year. People forget he's only 25.

[rollie mass]

good post decosta TP,the dribble drive addition and back door cuts with horford creating more space-
 i posted this topic because sick and tired of trade talk-
bradley is the rarity and need of every team that wants to challenge  in the era of 3 ball
-ainge is correct in drafting strong defensive minded players-

[dannyboy35]

He's been great.  I'm not sure how dramatically he's improved, though.  Statistically, he put up similar numbers a few years ago when we were a bottom 5 team.   But he's doing it now while contributing to a solid playoff team.  I wish he was less injury prone.  We would have stood a better chance of getting out of the first round had he been healthy.

The fact that Avery had around the same stats this year that he did two years ago when he was like our top scoring option, while also being named 1st team All-Defense this year, speaks to how much he's improved. That's the tricky thing about stats. Avery's 15 PPG this year or w/e it was means WAY more than that 15 PPG did two years ago.

There's a few things from last season I really think have gone unnoticed around this place. For one, Avery's dribble/drive game got significantly better. He crossed over a couple dudes last season. He was able to take the ball to the hole from the perimeter on multiple occasions last year in fairly big moments. Adding that to his shooting and cutting is what makes him a true two way player.

Plus. I think KO's jump in offensive versatility last year went unnoticed because of his injury, and I think people are really ignoring the strides Smart made as a passer last season, but since this is about Avery, let's stick to that. Adding that dribble drive to his game is going to make him even more valuable going forward, and I expect him to play a pretty big role this year. People forget he's only 25.

Kelly must be my bin ly because I just don't see how his potential value goes unnoticed or dismissed. He's just so versatile. Has to stay healthy it's true. For sure. But he has point guard instincts. Next to Hotford I really think his passing on the interior is gonna be sweet this year.
  Couldn't agree more on Bradley . He's a defensive SUPERSTAR. We have the best on ball guard in the nba at 25. In my opinion our d falls apart to still good but no longer great without Bradley. He pushes the point guards out far and really makes life hell for opponents. I still think his defense, even though recognized through award now, is undervalued in Boston fans in general. I just don't think he's exactly replaceable . I think we're a different team without him.