Could Bradley be an All-Star this year?

[LarBrd33]

I don't think Bradley has improved dramatically over the past 3 years.   

On a 25 win team he averaged 15 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals.    With a couple more minutes on a 48 win team, he averaged 15.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals.  His efficiency shooting was more or less the same. 

But what has changed is the perception of him as a player. 

He finally got much-deserved credit for his defensive prowess - making 1st Team All-Defense.  He was also arguably our most efficient shooter (Olynyk was a bit better of the bench).  Of our starters he had the highest three point percentage (36%) and a respectable eFG% of .520.

This team could win 55+ games next year and Bradley presumably will continue to have a significant role in that.  Yeah, there's a chance he finds himself coming off the bench for Thomas and Marcus Smart (a break-out candidate), but with Turner out of the picture it got me wondering what might happen if Bradley saw a boost in his minutes.

Bradley will be heading into his 7th season.  The 26 year old could still presumably make a mini-leap.  He averaged 33.4 minutes last season.  What if he got his minutes cranked up?  A couple years ago during Jimmy Butler's break-out season, Butler averaged 38.7 minutes per game.  If you project Bradley's stats last season to 38.7 minutes per game he'd average:

17.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.7 steals with 46%/36%/78% shooting.

Not quite as good as Butler's stats during his break-out season:  20 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.8 steals... but if you factor in the possibility of Boston being a top 2 team in the East and Bradley coming off a 1st Team Defense selection, it's plausible he could make an all-star team.

Also interesting is to consider what Jae Crowder might do with a Butler-esque 38.7mpg.   Project out last year's stats and Jae would put up 17.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2 steals with 44%/34%/82% shooting

Because of the collection of talent on this team and our play style, we will probably not see our guys get a boost in minutes.  It's interesting to think about, though.  A couple of our guys might be good enough to sneak onto an all-star team if their role permits it. 

[Surferdad]

Interesting thought, but I think Avery has to average close to or over 20 ppg to make the ASG.

If you say he hasn't improved in 3 years, then why would he have a breakout season this year?  The only reason might be if his minutes go up, and I don't see that with such a deep roster.

[LarBrd33]

Interesting thought, but I think Avery has to average close to or over 20 ppg to make the ASG.

If you say he hasn't improved in 3 years, then why would he have a breakout season this year?  The only reason might be if his minutes go up, and I don't see that with such a deep roster.

I don't think he's improved, but his role/minutes could increase.  The perception of him in general could increase.  He's coming off an All-Defense 1st Team selection and the team might be on pace for 55+ wins at the all-star break next season.  What's coming to mind is the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks.  That team was in 1st place at the All-Star break and suddenly they made Jeff Teague (15.9 points, 7 assists, 2.5 rebounds) and Kyle Korver (12 points, 4 rebounds, 2.6 assists with incredible shooting) all-stars.  With the right set of circumstances, I could see Bradley get a Korver-esque all-star nod.  He's an efficient scorer who is now regarded as one of the 5 best defenders in the league - if he's making those contributions on a top 2 team in the East, it might be enough to get him selected by coaches. 

If Boston has the best defense in the league at the all-star break, I predict an all-star campaign for the guys who are contributing to that defense.  Bradley would be the most obvious selection there.

[Surferdad]

Interesting thought, but I think Avery has to average close to or over 20 ppg to make the ASG.

If you say he hasn't improved in 3 years, then why would he have a breakout season this year?  The only reason might be if his minutes go up, and I don't see that with such a deep roster.

I don't think he's improved, but his role/minutes could increase.  The perception of him in general could increase.  He's coming off an All-Defense 1st Team selection and the team might be on pace for 55+ wins at the all-star break next season.  What's coming to mind is the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks.  That team was in 1st place at the All-Star break and suddenly they made Jeff Teague (15.9 points, 7 assists, 2.5 rebounds) and Kyle Korver (12 points, 4 rebounds, 2.6 assists with incredible shooting) all-stars.  With the right set of circumstances, I could see Bradley get a Korver-esque all-star nod.  He's an efficient scorer who is now regarded as one of the 5 best defenders in the league - if he's making those contributions on a top 2 team in the East, it might be enough to get him selected by coaches. 

If Boston has the best defense in the league at the all-star break, I predict an all-star campaign for the guys who are contributing to that defense.  Bradley would be the most obvious selection there.

Makes sense to those intelligent enough to see that contribution.  I just think the ASG is more about the NBA showcasing their stars, and offense get the edge over defense in the selections.

[mctyson]

Interesting thought, but I think Avery has to average close to or over 20 ppg to make the ASG.

Disagree.  Look at the Hawks from 4 years ago - Korver was an all-star strictly because he was the best 3pt shooter in the league.  Teague was an all-start because he facilitated it all.

How the team plays will have an effect on Bradley's chances at an ASG.  His defense clearly qualifies him, just needs to get vindication from being on a great team.

[Celtics4ever]

I think the SG position has too many good players for him to knock out to make it.

[Moranis]

He won't score enough to make the all star team.

[JBcat]

It's going to be very tough to break into the top 5 or 6 guards that will make it.  You have Thomas, Lowery, Derozan, Irving, Wall, and Butler. Then there is also players like Reggie Jackson, Teague, Beal, Middleton to compete with.  I would say with our balanced roster the chances are slim.

[bdm860]

These were the guards that made the All-Star team last year:
Lowry - TOR could slip and only get 1 of Lowry/DeRozan
Wade - most likely to drop.  Home town comeback might help him start, otherwise I think he's out
Wall - WAS will have to really implode for him not to make it.  Heard he doesn't get along with Beal
Thomas - we all hope so
DeRozan - TOR could slip and only get 1 of Lowry/DeRozan
Butler - that bad mix of players in CHI might cause Butler to drop or at least move to SF

Then you have a ton more.

The most likely:
Irving - likely would have been an All-Star if not injured
Walker - should have been an All-Star last year
Jackson - should have been an All-Star last year, and DET could be on a 50+ win pace too
Dragic - Wade gone, Bosh out, will we see Phoenix Dragic who was 3rd team All-NBA averaging 20/6?
Beal - a healthy Beal playing well with Wall will avg 20ppg+, will help if WAS is playoff bound

Not as likely but still a threat:
Teague - if all the new pieces IND added works out, and they're on a 55+ win pace, unlikely, but possible
Rose - maybe the Knicks revitalize his career?  I'm doubtful, and Melo and Porzingis are in before him
Middleton - Bucks will improve, and if he improves on his 18/4/4 from last year he has a shot.  Giannis will get the call before him though.  Buck ain't getting 2.
Antetokounmpo - a definite threat to make the All-Star team, but how do they classify him?  Likely as a SF, but if they choose to label him a SG he might be taking a spot.
Schroder - handed the reigns in ATL, avg 20/8 per 36.  If ATL stays competitive he has a shot

For Bradley to get in you need close to a 60 win pace (unlikely but we all hope), Wade and Butler to drop off (I like these odds), Toronto to only get 1 guy (possible), 1 or 2 teams imploding (DET, CHA, WAS), and 1 or 2 injuries  to otherwise locks (happens every year) with nobody new stepping up huge.  Even then I still don't like the odds, but it's possible in the same way Atlanta got 4 in 2015.  Maybe Bradley can get in, but I think we're more likely to see Crowder get a spot before Bradley.

[pearljammer10]

No.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

I reckon with more offensive options this year his shooting percentages could get a modest boost. My memory's not all that great but I reckon he had pretty good shooting percentages that half season he displaced Ray Allen from the starting line up. That could probably get him.into the all star game as a reserve.

[Eja117]

I would put the % chance around 13%

[fairweatherfan]

Doesn't seem likely unless there's a long-term IT injury that makes him shoulder more of the backcourt scoring load, and let's all hope that doesn't happen. 

[Snakehead]

He would have to really step up as a playmaker.  He has said this is what he was working on during the offseason for what that is worth.  He did get a bit better in that area last year where before he basically had no ability.  That would add a lot to his game.

I would also say I do think Bradley has improved some really because he has been asked to do a lot more as he has gone along.  At the start he was basically only asked to play defense, then to spot up shoot and cut.  Right now it's IT, but before IT we were asking Avery to find and create shots and do a lot of work coming off screens and that kind of thing and he stepped up to that challenge.   He is still doing that for the team but we have gotten a few guys to help out in that regard and some guys like Crowder have developed.   I think for a while his defense suffered a result of putting effort into offense (this happens in basketball more than some think).

I  think there's a slim chance considering it would require other guys falling off and not making the team but if he adds some playmaking to his game that will help the team a lot, even if his numbers don't look so much different.

[Ilikesports17]

I don't think Bradley has improved dramatically over the past 3 years.   

On a 25 win team he averaged 15 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals.    With a couple more minutes on a 48 win team, he averaged 15.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals.  His efficiency shooting was more or less the same. 

But what has changed is the perception of him as a player. 

He finally got much-deserved credit for his defensive prowess - making 1st Team All-Defense.  He was also arguably our most efficient shooter (Olynyk was a bit better of the bench).  Of our starters he had the highest three point percentage (36%) and a respectable eFG% of .520.

This team could win 55+ games next year and Bradley presumably will continue to have a significant role in that.  Yeah, there's a chance he finds himself coming off the bench for Thomas and Marcus Smart (a break-out candidate), but with Turner out of the picture it got me wondering what might happen if Bradley saw a boost in his minutes.

Bradley will be heading into his 7th season.  The 26 year old could still presumably make a mini-leap.  He averaged 33.4 minutes last season.  What if he got his minutes cranked up?  A couple years ago during Jimmy Butler's break-out season, Butler averaged 38.7 minutes per game.  If you project Bradley's stats last season to 38.7 minutes per game he'd average:

17.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.7 steals with 46%/36%/78% shooting.

Not quite as good as Butler's stats during his break-out season:  20 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.8 steals... but if you factor in the possibility of Boston being a top 2 team in the East and Bradley coming off a 1st Team Defense selection, it's plausible he could make an all-star team.

Also interesting is to consider what Jae Crowder might do with a Butler-esque 38.7mpg.   Project out last year's stats and Jae would put up 17.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2 steals with 44%/34%/82% shooting

Because of the collection of talent on this team and our play style, we will probably not see our guys get a boost in minutes.  It's interesting to think about, though.  A couple of our guys might be good enough to sneak onto an all-star team if their role permits it.

for me the fact that hes statistically basically remained the same while transitioning from a 25 win to a 48 win team indicates a pretty substantial level of improvement.

The whole extrapolating out minutes isnt quite fair. Theres a reason everyone doesnt play 40 minutes a game. Its really hard.

Id be shocked if AB makes the all star team. I think wed have to be the 1 seed at the time which isnt all that absurd. Cleveland could sleepwalk through the first half of the year. Depending on how guys like Butler and GA get classified and if injury prone guys like Beal Melo and Irving suffer injuries he or Crowder could have a shot if they get really hot for an extended period of time before the break.