Avery can't play

[dtrader]

If giving Bradley a chance means less minutes for Moore, it isnt worth keeping him.

Who/what says it does?

Unless youre saying that he wouldnt be getting any minutes (in which case keeping him is a waste to me), then whos minutes is he getting?  He's a guard, so he's either playing the 1 or two.

Rondos gonna play like 35 mins. at PG, Dooling will likely play the remaining 13.  Ray is older, and has been playing too many minutes the last few years, so this year I can see them trying to cut his minutes back (plus Doc has said he'd be playing Bradley more at the SG spot).  So the minutes to be had are at SG.  Once Ray and Marquis are out of the way, who is next in line on the depth chart a SG?  I'd say Moore.  So if thats where Bradley is given time, then it IS coming at Moores expense.

The only way it wouldn't be at Moores expense in terms of minutes, would be if they ONLY either got time in the backcourt together.  But in that case, they'd be playing Moore at PG, with Bradley at off guard, so Moore would be forced to play out of position just to give Bradley time at SG.  I dont see any scenario where Bradley gets play time, that isn't coming at Moores expense.

[RyNye]

Even at 6'2" though...do you think a 6'2" guard who can't run point, and lacks a confident jumper will be kept in the league for his defense?  I just can't see it.

Size isn't everything. It helps, yes, but skill > size.

I mean, look at Danna Barros (5'11" PG, MIP and All-Star), Brevin Knight (5'10" PG, led league in steals and racked up assists, 12 year career), Avery Johnson (5'10"), Michael Adams (5'10"), Terrell Brandon, Damon Stoudamire, Spud Webb, Calvin Murphy, Muggsy Bogues, and Allen Iverson ... all shorter or the same height as Avery Bradley with very successful NBA careers. And this is only looking at guys who go some sort of All-Star recognition or otherwise.

[dtrader]

Even at 6'2" though...do you think a 6'2" guard who can't run point, and lacks a confident jumper will be kept in the league for his defense?  I just can't see it.

Size isn't everything. It helps, yes, but skill > size.

I mean, look at Danna Barros (5'11" PG, MIP and All-Star), Brevin Knight (5'10" PG, led league in steals and racked up assists, 12 year career), Avery Johnson (5'10"), Michael Adams (5'10"), Terrell Brandon, Damon Stoudamire, Spud Webb, Calvin Murphy, Muggsy Bogues, and Allen Iverson ... all shorter or the same height as Avery Bradley with very successful NBA careers. And this is only looking at guys who go some sort of All-Star recognition or otherwise.

I'm not JUST talking about his size though.  I know there's been tons of undersized scorers and pure point guards in the league.  I'm saying, is it reasonable to think that a severely undersized guard will be kept in the league FOR HIS DEFENSE.  What players under 6'2" have ever had successful careers as defensive specialists?

[kgiessler]

Unless youre saying that he wouldnt be getting any minutes (in which case keeping him is a waste to me), then whos minutes is he getting?  He's a guard, so he's either playing the 1 or two.

Correct, I don't see him getting many minutes unless an injury occurs.

I'd imagine this year would be similar to last year, where he practices with the team and is there for injury insurance.  I don't think there is a question in anyone's mind whether or not he's a third stringer. 

I still don't see any benefit in eliminating an asset who's value is still uncertain.

[TripleOT]

According to pre-draft stats from the combine, AB is 6'2" without shoes and 6'3 1/4 with shoes. 

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Avery-Bradley-5285/

Too bad that there isn't a pre-draft metric that can definitely prove that a player is any good.  To me Bradley isn't an NBA player and probably never will be. 

He has one plus skill - he can move his feet and stay glued to an offensive player.  That isn't going to overcome his negatives :

No handle
No basketball IQ
No jumpshot
No size for a 2 guard
No skills for a 1 guard


If this player wasn't drafted in the first round and given a guaranteed contract, he probably wouldn't make this team.

I know it's exciting to root for your team's draftees and all, but besides the final regular season game last season, Bradley never played like he belongs on an NBA court.   

[guava_wrench]

Even at 6'2" though...do you think a 6'2" guard who can't run point, and lacks a confident jumper will be kept in the league for his defense?  I just can't see it.

Size isn't everything. It helps, yes, but skill > size.

I mean, look at Danna Barros (5'11" PG, MIP and All-Star), Brevin Knight (5'10" PG, led league in steals and racked up assists, 12 year career), Avery Johnson (5'10"), Michael Adams (5'10"), Terrell Brandon, Damon Stoudamire, Spud Webb, Calvin Murphy, Muggsy Bogues, and Allen Iverson ... all shorter or the same height as Avery Bradley with very successful NBA careers. And this is only looking at guys who go some sort of All-Star recognition or otherwise.

I'm not JUST talking about his size though.  I know there's been tons of undersized scorers and pure point guards in the league.  I'm saying, is it reasonable to think that a severely undersized guard will be kept in the league FOR HIS DEFENSE.  What players under 6'2" have ever had successful careers as defensive specialists?

Of the top of my head, Lindsey Hunter is 6'2". He sure did scare me in 2008.

I too am skeptical of Bradley becoming an acceptable offensive player, but look at how Bowen developed his 3pt shot. Guys can go from marginal NBA players to vital cogs as they develop.

My worry with Bradley is that he seems so dependent on 15 foot pullups, which are low % shots in general. But I was happy to see him aggressive, even if unsuccessful. The best way to develop for him is to put all self-doubt aside and just shoot and see what happens.

I am fine with his dribble for now. Doesn't seem much worse than Ray Allen. His indecision is the true problem and that leads to losing one's dribble.

[StartOrien]

Sorry if this is a repeat, scrolled through the thread quickly:

What makes me nervous about AB is that he looks a lot like JR Giddens offensively. That middle school kind of mentality: Really robotic, and noticeably nervous about making the "right play" in the offense, just not letting the offense come to him.

Hopefully that's something he can shake, but I do think that's a mentality that's tough to get over.

[Inside-Out]

I agree that Bradley isn't looking like anything more than 15th man material.  TA had a far, far superior offensive game to this kid (TA could slash, and pre-injury was a solid finisher at the rim, at least).

I'd keep Bradley over GBrown and use his superior on-man defense to make Moore a better player, and also to have as match-up salary in a trade.  He's done at the end of his contract, though.

If he ever has to play in a game, I teach him to shoot the spot-up corner three.  Get over half court and go stand in a corner.  Shoot it if you get it.

Bam.

[Celtics18]

I like Avery and think he can turn into a good rotation guy. 

How many young guys come into the league at 19 to 21 years old priding themselves on wanting to play defense?

He's looked shaky out there offensively, but I actually think he's got good form on that jumper and that it will start falling eventually.  He's got the athleticism to finish at the rack, as well.  I think it'll come together.

Just keep focusing on playing that nasty defense for now, Avery.  The offense will find itself.