Avery Bradley doesn't realize his potential

[Maurice98]

I love AB, he's a good two way shooting guard. I liked the way he played D on Irving and I think he's the best on ball defender on quicker PGs with similar size. I also liked he developed a good mid range shot and his 3pt shot is decent. He's a good leader: he's quite but he lead by example. Did he ever get a tehnical foul in his career? He's very competitive.

Of course, he has his flaws (ball handling, passing) but he is improving slightly his handles and passing every year. I said that he doesn't realize his potential because he is very quick, athletic and explosive to blow by bigger shooting guards so I would expect him to do it more often and maybe he can get to the free throw line. I think he's faster than Rondo. http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4691413/whos-faster-rondo-or-bradley
Yesterday, I saw glimpse of that slashing ability. This kid's got hops.

Look at 1:00 and 8:12 until 8:26 of the first video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8vXmYlfkms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYJVTePSMYw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdPW7hFiucE

[Chris22]

Bradley isn't very good. He is too small and can't handle the ball that well.

[droopdog7]

In terms of being able to drive by a defender, handles are more important than quickness.  Hence, the problem for Avery.

[Celtics4ever]

The window on his potential is closing fast, we know what we have in him.   He is a tweener, and can be a great defender, who doesn't seem to be able to tie playing offense and great defense together in the same game.

If the playoffs showed me anything it is that small ball is for the regular season.

[LilRip]

I think Avery Bradley can be really good if he was in the right situation. Right now, he just has too much offensive responsibility for his skillset. If he can learn how to move without the ball ala Rip Hamilton, we'd be talking.

[apc]

I would like AB to be able to finish a fast break.

[Atzar]

I don't think his problem is ball-handling really.  He doesn't have a great handle relative to other guards, but he's good enough to make straight two-bounce drives to the hoop. 

His problems IMO are that he isn't good in the paint when he does get there - he's a mediocre finisher and he doesn't have the mindset to draw fouls and get to the line.  I don't remember the last time I saw him go up and challenge somebody at the rim, but I know for a fact that he has the athleticism to do it. 

He uses his dribble to move laterally for an open midrange jumpshot, and he makes them at a good (though streaky) clip.  That's a double-edged sword - he's a good shooter in that range, but the midrange jumper is an inefficient shot by nature and it reinforces the notion that he doesn't have to attack. 

That's why he has lines like 19 points on 9-16 shooting - despite having a great game from the field, it's still not very efficient because he doesn't take a lot of threes and he rarely gets to the line.  So his next step has to be one of those two areas - either start attacking and drawing fouls, or improve that three point stroke and start launching from beyond the arc. 

[bobbyv]

I miss that 2012 Celtics team.

[Maurice98]

I don't think his problem is ball-handling really.  He doesn't have a great handle relative to other guards, but he's good enough to make straight two-bounce drives to the hoop. 

His problems IMO are that he isn't good in the paint when he does get there - he's a mediocre finisher and he doesn't have the mindset to draw fouls and get to the line.  I don't remember the last time I saw him go up and challenge somebody at the rim, but I know for a fact that he has the athleticism to do it. 

He uses his dribble to move laterally for an open midrange jumpshot, and he makes them at a good (though streaky) clip.  That's a double-edged sword - he's a good shooter in that range, but the midrange jumper is an inefficient shot by nature and it reinforces the notion that he doesn't have to attack. 

That's why he has lines like 19 points on 9-16 shooting - despite having a great game from the field, it's still not very efficient because he doesn't take a lot of threes and he rarely gets to the line.  So his next step has to be one of those two areas - either start attacking and drawing fouls, or improve that three point stroke and start launching from beyond the arc.

I completely agree with you Atzar. I hope he start attacking and drawing fouls more. I remember DA saying in the game where he was commentating that the next step to become a better rounder player would be by attacking the rim more.

Watch from 1:54, DA agrees with me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JAEU971lP0

P.S. Shutout to CELTICS LOWDOWN

[Maurice98]

I miss that 2012 Celtics team.

I miss it too, that team made me choose to be a Celtics fan and I chose the right team. But, most importantly, I miss the "FLEXING" celebration!!!!!

[LooseCannon]

I would like AB to be able to finish a fast break.

I think Bradley would be better off taking dagger threes in transition.

[droopdog7]

I don't think his problem is ball-handling really.  He doesn't have a great handle relative to other guards, but he's good enough to make straight two-bounce drives to the hoop. 

His problems IMO are that he isn't good in the paint when he does get there - he's a mediocre finisher and he doesn't have the mindset to draw fouls and get to the line.  I don't remember the last time I saw him go up and challenge somebody at the rim, but I know for a fact that he has the athleticism to do it. 

He uses his dribble to move laterally for an open midrange jumpshot, and he makes them at a good (though streaky) clip.  That's a double-edged sword - he's a good shooter in that range, but the midrange jumper is an inefficient shot by nature and it reinforces the notion that he doesn't have to attack. 

That's why he has lines like 19 points on 9-16 shooting - despite having a great game from the field, it's still not very efficient because he doesn't take a lot of threes and he rarely gets to the line.  So his next step has to be one of those two areas - either start attacking and drawing fouls, or improve that three point stroke and start launching from beyond the arc.

Obviously, you don't really understand basketball.  Gotta be much slicker with the ball.

[TheFlex]

I miss that 2012 Celtics team.

I miss it too, that team made me choose to be a Celtics fan and I chose the right team. But, most importantly, I miss the "FLEXING" celebration!!!!!

The Flex!

[Maurice98]

I hope Isaiah, in the offseason, will teach AB and Smart better ball handling skills. I think Pressey learned something from Isaiah so it might be helpful to those two as well.

[kozlodoev]

I would like AB to be able to finish a fast break.

Fixed that for you.