Sometimes a spark comes from the most unexpected place. Yesterday the Celtics got their spark from a guy that coming into the season had seldom seen the NBA court and still hasn't established much of an offensive game. But somehow Avery Bradley is changing games with his defense and his teammates are taking his lead.
Bradley Makes Impact with Epic Defense | Celtics.com - The official website of the Boston Celtics
"I just came out tonight and I wanted to get everybody else's energy up and I felt like I did playing defense like that," an exhausted Bradley said in the locker room after the win. "Paul [Pierce] came up and told me, ‘When you play defense like that it makes us play defense even harder.' That's all I try to do, I try to help in anyway I can."
"He was very infectious on the rest of us with his ball pressure all night long," Pierce said of the young point guard. "He's playing so hard; he's harassing the point guards so the other guys are trying to deny [the ball]. When they catch it and once they get into their offense, there's only like 10-11 seconds on the shot clock and as everybody knows around the NBA, it's tough to run your offense with 10-11 seconds on the shot clock."
"Avery Bradley set a great tone,'' Van Gundy said.
Nelson clearly was flustered, turning it over five times. He started jawing at Bradley, telling the kid that he didn't need to defend full-court. That's when Bradley knew he had won the battle.
"They start talking to me, that's when I know I got 'em,'' Bradley said.
Did he talk back?
"Nah. I just laughed,'' he said.
Love that attitude. He really is starting to remind me of a non-crazy Tony Allen.
Perhaps we'll even see more of the full court one-man-press.
Bradley Revives Boston Defense With One-Man Press - NYTimes.com
It’s one thing for Bradley, a player with incredible lateral quickness even by N.B.A. standards, to pressure opposing point guards. But the aging Jason Kidd? The offensively inclined Jason Terry? The effective -– but relatively slow-footed -– DeShawn Stevenson? All are effective defenders in some way, but none are close to Bradley’s athletic standard. That didn’t stop Rick Carlisle and Dwane Casey from using them to defend the entire court, and it begs the question why other coaches haven’t employed a similar tactic as a way of disrupting an opponent’s offensive rhythm. The strategy worked well for Dallas in the Finals, and it could prove even more lethal against opponents worn ragged by the post-lockout schedule. The full-court press would be an easy way for well-conditioned players and teams to fully exploit their exhausted opponents, or at the very least, a means of draining the shot clock and disrupting the half-court timing of offenses.
0 recs | 38 comments
Yes, he's an infectious pest. But also a lot more.
He’s a world-class defender, and I can easily see how he could have a very significant impact on this team’s fortunes this season (and hopefully in future seasons too).
At this point, I think Avery deserves some serious respect.
JR99 - January 24, 2012
pitino wishes he had avery bradley here when he was coach !!
MR. CAFETERIA - January 24, 2012
Pitino
had defensive specialist Bruce Bowen and it didn’t help him win…
BleedinGreen417 - January 24, 2012 via mobile
there is nothing that would have helped pitino win
not even duncan thats not what i was implying honestly it was a joke !
MR. CAFETERIA - January 25, 2012
He deserves the praise for last night
His numbers don’t jump out at you but he played a hell of a game. Man to man defense was phenomenal, even Rondo fully engaged and not gambling isn’t as much of a lockdown defender as Bradley at his best. Of course it’s unrealistic to expect Bradley to perform like yesterday all the time, but hey anything close to that would be awesome.
kg2128 - January 24, 2012
I think that's the challenge going forward...
and that will be a tough act to follow.
Add in that Doc made it a point to say that he put the play making role on Paul Pierce to essentially make the game simple and Bradley’s role very focused.
Bradley is not going to be picking everyone up full court all the time from here on out.
But no fear, he established something good last night, and if he becomes a smallish version of Tony Allen would be fine. Tony was never a great play maker or decision maker either. Tony did have more offense than Bradley though.
Nice job, let’s see how the Cs and Avery handle it going forward.
Tom Halzack - January 24, 2012
Long term, I expect Bradley to have a lot more offense than Tony
Bradley is a better jump shooter and also can make free throws. It will come.
mmmmm - January 24, 2012
And he’s still learning to move without the ball. It’s really clear that Bradley isn’t not great at that yet. If only there was someone in Boston that Bradley could study from and learn about how to move without the ball . . . someone with good experience who has demonstrated how important it can be . . .
Kungfuguy - January 24, 2012
LOL - I just for my life can not figure out WHO you are talking about!
mmmmm - January 24, 2012
Great Article Jeff...
This guy seems like he is really learning his role for this team (it took him a while to figure it out, and get playing time), but if he can keep up the infectious defense, the offense will come. It’s not like he’s gonna score double digits every game, but when he comes in the game I don’t see many other back-up PGs doing very much offensively on him. He set the aggressive tone to the game last night and it echoed through the Garden the entire night… I would hate to be an opposing point guard going up against him, you have to expend so much time and energy just to get to half court, keep up the good work AB
EF37 - January 24, 2012
Bad offense
But good defense, from Bradley. Let Pierce, Bass, KG, Ray, or Rondo do the offense in the future! Great job tonight, Bradley. Keep it up and wrong me in the past!
SparzWizard - January 24, 2012
i think we should use full court defence every game specialy bulls miami thunder and others
EXER123 - January 24, 2012
Is Bradley our best on-ball defender? Discuss...
Roy_Hobbs - January 24, 2012
I think so, yes
Rondo gambles too much and has other things he focuses on
right now Bradley is like Dennis Rodman, except instead of rebounds, he hounds PGs
Jeff Clark - January 24, 2012
Hard to tell without more games with him playing extended minutes but I suspect he is.
Three things:
1. – I underestimated and thus misjudged Avery Bradley and his potential value to this team. I think I was quite wrong.
2. – I think Doc underestimates how much some rookies can blossom or demonstrate their ability in an actual game time play as opposed to practice. It also should be said that playing Avery Bradley in spurts (prior to Rondo’s injury) was NOT revealing as to his value but his value became much more clear when he was allowed to stay in despite mistakes and thus work thru things on the court. Doc is a good coach but he seems to miss these nuances on rookies. I think Steimsma suffers to some degree from the same issue. I also think JJJ would surprise Doc as well. We need these guys to get the extended chance because if they can play then reducing minutes for the Vets is so vital.
3. – Orlando will be NOT allow AB to take that much time off the clock on Thursday. The will have help in in the backcourt and he will be getting brushed off and knocked down by screens all game long.
Master Po - January 24, 2012
Rondo will play Thursday
… which means a whole different dynamic in that game. I think the Bradley Defense (full court version) should be uses only occasionally right now, when the time is right and the need great. But as a weapon in the playoffs, I think it could make a huge difference to our fortunes in the post-season.
Yesterday’s game was SO dramatic, so powerful, that I think it might end up affecting the entire league. Full court D — logically correct, but difficult to implement — might become a lot more common after last night.
Avery is making waves, that’s for sure. I couldn’t be happier for the kid.
JR99 - January 24, 2012
+1
Definitely agree about Steimsma too. When Greg makes one mistake, he gets pulled. I hope Doc changes this. Imagine if Avery Bradley got substantial minutes last year….he would have already been giving us that energy boost from the beginning of the season (which was much needed since everyone was out of shape)… :/
GreenSlime - January 24, 2012
Completely wrong on Doc
From the time the Big 3 were formed, the C’s have been legit title contenders. As such, and with the depth they have had, there was simply no place for giving rookies extended minutes to “see how they do”. This has never been about Doc stifling young players, it has always been about winning as many games as possible with a veteran group. He played Baby his rookie year because they needed him, others, not so much. JJJ is way down on the depth chart, that is just a fact. Bradley was great against Orlando, but would any coach really play him over Rondo for extended minutes? I think if people judged what Doc does compared to any other coach of a contender, they would see they all play who they think gives them the best chance to win night in and night out. Doc had plenty of years giving Al, Gerald Green, etc minuttes “to develop them”. Once they were title contenders the objective obviously changed.
KJ33 - January 24, 2012 via mobile
Bradley could just be ..
the C’s best on ball defender, though Rondo is right there behind him.
fordescort - January 24, 2012
when rondo comes back...
…bradley can play fewer minutes, but be even more aggressive. he was obviously gassed by the end of the game last night for obvious reasons. but if he goes all-out for even 15 mpg, that will be a huge deal and can have a big impact on the team.
guy incognito - January 24, 2012
Good defense
Epicly bad offense. It’s like playing 4 on 5 in the halfcourt.
bucknersrevenge - January 24, 2012
Bradley Is Our 3rd Guard
I posted somethig about a week ago, where I stated Bradley was our best Defensive Guard since Don Chaney(sorry Tony Allen).
After last night, I believe that more than ever. Bradley must play at least 24 minutes a game.
Glen B - January 24, 2012
Could be interesting when Rondo plays
Rondo has not been able to play at full Rondo intensity for long stretches (40 per game multiple games in a row). IF Bradley can give them 18 to 20 minutes a game, and let Rondo go all out, but for shorter minutes, that could be a huge win. That said, adapting your game to shorter minutes isn’t trivial. As I said, this will be interesting.
Silverlock - January 24, 2012
I'm really interested to watching a Rondo-Bradley backcourt
even with the height they’d give up, those two could shut down almost any backcourt in the league by being pests
mc34 - January 24, 2012
This + 34
I like Bradley playing the 2 by far over playing the 1. However, he can help in either spot but a rondo Bradley backcourt truly is something to fear. It may not produce ridiculous amounts of blocks or points but I’d argue it’d cause a lot of turn overs. Add in pierce KG bass for shooting power and you got a good line up while Allen rests. Or Allen kg bass. Either way. It’s a good way to get rest and have extreme defense with some O. I’ve always liked Bradley (the kid is only like 21? Shit im older then he is haha).
RR_The_Future - January 24, 2012 via mobile
Averys defense last night and so far this season has been great...
I am glad to see he is getting minutes which will only help him improve his game and help him grow and develop as a player.
I think his ball handling and passing which did need work has improved in recent games with the extra minutes he has seen.
If he can just get his jumper going , he will be one hell of a player.
Heinsohn mentioned last night and I agree fully that a back court of Rondo and Avery pressing strongly and creating havoc in the backcourt would be great to see.
I hope Bradleys strong play recently, will show Doc that players do indeed need playing time to allow them to show us there full capabilities and hope that he will try to give the other young players on the team like (Moore, Steamer and JJ ) some minutes also to allow them the opportunity to get into a groove and show us there talents also.
fordescort - January 24, 2012
could say the same thing
about fleas or lice
slamtheking - January 24, 2012
infectious pest that is.
slamtheking - January 24, 2012
The Flea
Good nickname for him
mobilija - January 24, 2012
Or maybe...
The Tick, because he sticks to his man
mobilija - January 24, 2012
loved it, don’t even mind the offensive setback, it puts the ball in pp’s hands which in my opinion is where it belongs, i just hope rondo takes all this avery talk as a challenge, between the 2 of them we should do this all the time
chicagogreen - January 24, 2012
I think we all under value our young players....
Cause Doc doesn’t play them enough….
Dude play the young guys…. bring Ray off the bench…
David Henderson - January 24, 2012
I've eaten a lot of my words based on predictions from earlier this season and the preseason...
But none taste as good as seeing Avery Bradley thrive in his new found confidence. I didn’t think much of him earlier in the year, but I sure am glad we have him on board now.
redbridge13 - January 24, 2012
Avery Bradley just walked through that door
Datahog - January 24, 2012
Why is this so surprising?
The guy was a top 5 prospect, if not #1, coming out of high school just a few years ago.
You should not give up on such a great prospect this early. We need to continue to develop him.
He has good form on his shot, so I think improvement will come if we give him reasonable playing time.
florida dodger - January 24, 2012
Hm
“The guy was a top 5 prospect … You should not give up on such a great prospect this early.”
Like Mr Pitino? One up for Danny and Doc
Tenacious D - January 24, 2012
with work, don chaney became a passable shooter. bradley can be a better shooter than chaney.
nazzbo - January 24, 2012
AB
Avery bradley better come off the bench before keyon Dooling do!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jae Rodd Foster - January 25, 2012
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