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[drax]

read it on espn.com, from weei.com

* While admitting Avery Bradley still needs some time before he's ready to return to game action, Rivers raved about his first full-contact practice in Chicago on Monday. "Half the team was asking him why he's not playing [now]," said Rivers. "He was that good in practice."

Sounds good to me, not like he needs a huge adjustment time. Can't wait.

[Chris]

Yeah, he said that when Bradley returns will be determined by the doctor and trainer.  At this point, it is about seeing how he holds up, and building up strength.

[masteremile123]

I just hope that his 3pt shooting returns to what it was last year...
Every thing else in his game is pretty much a given (or improved)

[kozlodoev]

Yeah, he said that when Bradley returns will be determined by the doctor and trainer.  At this point, it is about seeing how he holds up, and building up strength.

I heard they're targetting a January return. Doesn't concern me much either way, this team lives and dies with how well the frontcourt plays defensively.

[BballTim]

Yeah, he said that when Bradley returns will be determined by the doctor and trainer.  At this point, it is about seeing how he holds up, and building up strength.

I heard they're targetting a January return. Doesn't concern me much either way, this team lives and dies with how well the frontcourt plays defensively.

  Somewhat true, but better play from the sg spot would give them a little more margin for error.

[Chris]

Yeah, he said that when Bradley returns will be determined by the doctor and trainer.  At this point, it is about seeing how he holds up, and building up strength.

I heard they're targetting a January return. Doesn't concern me much either way, this team lives and dies with how well the frontcourt plays defensively.

  Somewhat true, but better play from the sg spot would give them a little more margin for error.

It also helps to keep guys out of the lane, which has been what exposes the big men.  It also allows them to get away without having to blitz as much with the big men, limiting the rotations, and keeping guys home to protect the basket and rebound. 

[Evantime34]

With the depth that they have at the two Avery Bradley could conceivably full court the other team's point guard for 20 minutes a game.

If the other team is consistently getting into their offense with 12-14 seconds left on the shot clock our defense will improve a ton.

[Chris]

With the depth that they have at the two Avery Bradley could conceivably full court the other team's point guard for 20 minutes a game.

If the other team is consistently getting into their offense with 12-14 seconds left on the shot clock our defense will improve a ton.

Absolutely.  I would strongly consider putting Bradley on a 5-5-5 type plan, like KG, just to be able to really maximize his energy and effort. 

[mgent]

Considering his defense while injured I wouldn't be all that surprised seeing him after he's fixed and recovered.  Bradley made the league due to his reaction time, footwork, instincts, and reflexes.  The shoulder didn't really affect him and shouldn't leave any lingering problems.

[crimson_stallion]

I heard they're targetting a January return. Doesn't concern me much either way, this team lives and dies with how well the frontcourt plays defensively.

I disagree. 

Kevin Garnett is still an elite defensive player and is probably still one of the top 10 frontcourt players in the league defensively.  That means at least when he is on the court (which is the majority - 60% - of the time) our front court defense is strong, and we are outplaying out opponents.

While our interior defense is strong more often then it isn't, our perimeter defense cannot make the same claim.  Our backcourt defense is only really passable when we have Terry and Lee on the court together, but that only happens for at most 20 minutes a night.  That means that 40% of the time our perimeter defense is passable, and the other 60% of the time it's terrible.
 
It's not just on the backcourt guys either - both Pierce and Green have been mediocre (at best) on defensive this year.

I think the addition of an elite perimeter defender at either SG or SF (obviously Rondo will gets the minutes at PG) would transform this team from the average defensive team we are now, into one of the better defensive teams in the NBA. 

If you have an elite perimeter defender and an elite interior defender then the other three guys can get away with being fairly average defenders because two people are always getting shut down, and those elite defenders help to also make up for mistakes made by other players. The combination of Bradley and KG gives us exactly that, and I think a lineup of Rondo, Bradley, Pierce, Bass and KG has the potentialy to be one of the elite defensive lineups in this league. 

Once the bench comes in we don't really need elite defense - just a couple of solid defenders.  Terry, Lee, Green, Sullinger and Wilcox (though not outstanding defensively) is probably a solid enough unit defensively to be able to cover the second tier talent of most opponents. 

At least that's my opinion

[action781]

With the depth that they have at the two Avery Bradley could conceivably full court the other team's point guard for 20 minutes a game.

If the other team is consistently getting into their offense with 12-14 seconds left on the shot clock our defense will improve a ton.

Absolutely.  I would strongly consider putting Bradley on a 5-5-5 type plan, like KG, just to be able to really maximize his energy and effort.

Whatever we do with him, I'm getting so excited for it!

[ScottHow]

It sure will be nice to see the Rondo-Bradley backcourt again.

[Edgar]

It sure will be nice to see the Rondo-Bradley backcourt again.

IF Rondo plays good Rondo and work his work