Avery Bradley Signs with an Agent

Upside is everything! Nuff said!

Avery going pro is not surprising, obviously.
 
The NBA rule changes will serve him well with regard to less defensive pressure on the ball and no handchecking.
 
I also think his mid-range game will serve him well in Andrew Toneyesque fashion.
 
Is he a pure point though? No. I just don’t see the creativity with the ball. But then again, I didn’t see it with Russell Westbrook either. He creates simply because he’s overwhelming guys with athleticism and forcing the double.

Hardly even knew him. Chalk me up as surprised it came to this. I always thought watching him in h.s. that he could be a lead guard in college. Barnes obviously didn’t think so and Avery’s handle certainly got worse the more he played for Barnes. Chicken or egg? Obviously the NBA thinks Barnes is more the problem than Bradley.

I don’t see it, but Bradley should definitely send a rolex or two to Russell Westbrook. My guess is the NBA sees a little of him in Bradley. Super fast guys who weren’t primary handlers in college. Westbrook is a huge exception to the rule that point guards are born not made. I don’t see this ending well for AB unless he ends up on a team with a big lead guard allowing him to guard the 1 some and be able to play off the ball on O.

All around a horrible decision by Bradley but it might be Barnes’ fault. We just don’t know. I do wish him well and I am happy to take my chances with Joseph if Bradley was really that unhappy here. It certainly didn’t help an already horrible situation I’m sure.

“I mean if you can’t blow-by some schlep from Iowa State and finish at the rim, how are you going to do it against Derek Fisher backed by the Lakers’ front court of fly-swatters?”

Derek Fisher’s corpse will go out of it’s way to make Bradley look elite off the dribble (but yes, he’d get stone walled by the frontcourt awaiting). Seriously though, good point. The kid will get cleaned by a PG/defender with a pulse if he doesn’t improve.

All it takes is for one team to look at Avery and see George Hill.

I wish him the best. He seemed to try to get Barnes as much as any of the freshmen this year.

If he goes lower first round he’s got good value, especially for a team that has a solid PG in play already. I could see the Celtics taking him, hoping to land the next George Hill. I’ve never watched George Hill film from IUPUI, but he’s been nails for the Spurs this post-season.

Spurs developed George Hill for the last two years and other clubs might look to do the same if they have an established PG and have the luxury of taking a pick that doesn’t need to come in and be an instant contributor. C’s seem ideal since they have their PG already but could use some depth. Maybe…

"I mean if you can’t blow-by some schlep from Iowa State and finish at the rim, how are you going to do it against Derek Fisher backed by the Lakers’ front court of fly-swatters?"

I understand what you are saying but many (me included) claimed the same about Daniel Gibson. Granted, DG found the perfect fit in Cleveland, but maybe AB will do the same. I hope so. Last season sucked but Bradley seemed like a good enough kid.

Lo Primero -
 
If by perfect fit, you mean standing on the three point line next to the most dominant physical force in basketball and shooting open jumpers, then yeah, I’m with you. I’m not sure that role is widely available.
 
I agree with you though – hope he finds his niche and I’ll follow his career with interest as he seemed a nice enough kid.

Here are the shooting guards projected to go after Avery Bradley according to NBAdraft.net: Dominque Jones, Lance Stephenson, Greivis Vasquez, Elliot Williams, and Willie Warren. Not only are all of these cats bigger and more physical than Bradley, but each has shown the ability to create off the bounce at the highest collegiate level.

Out of those, I’d take Stephenson in a heart beat. He’s going to be a super-star with some mental maturity.

I don’t have much of an idea what Bradley’s draft stock is, but I hope he goes high and does well.

Lance Stephenson is a dickhead of the highest order. Stephon Marbury finds him arrogant.

If Avery Bradley goes before Dominique Jones or Willie Warren, I am going to laugh my ass off.

Prepare to be looking for a new ass.

I don’t mind people being confident in themselves, but what I hate is his arrogance.

“Out of those, I’d take Stephenson in a heart beat. He’s going to be a super-star with some mental maturity.”

Trips, that’s like saying Kiera Knightley would be on par with Jessica Alba if Knightley had 36C’s. Sure, it could happen, but it’s gonna take significant cosmetic alterations to come to fruition.

I think it’s well documented, but Bradley’s problem was that he was not going to be given a chance at the 1 in Barnes’ system. He’s got a low first round guarantee. There’s likely going to be an NBA lockout. Why not go to a team in the twenties and fall into a learning situation (i.e., Hill, Collison, Lawson) to play for that second contract?

Mario Lopez looks Pakistani – HA!

Knightley is hotter than Alba, at least not when she’s emaciated to the point of near death.

Stephenson a superstar ??? Trips did it again. Goddamn man. Do u have a clue ? Inconsistent jumper and average athleticism does not translate to NBA superstar. If he doesn’t have one of those traits that is exceptional then he won’t be what u think he will be. Btw I think Jessica Alba is badder.

Shawn Williams.

I was staying out of this discussion until this fake Ipowers shows up. Must be a lonely white guy trying to get some attention.
Greivis Vasquez may be the sleeper in this group of guys. Mental toughness and in your face attitude goes a long way when you can hit an NBA 3.

What is Barnes offense of which you speak?

The most useful thing to say about this news is congrats to the young man and hope he does well. He has always represented the University well.

Crap, I have been told I have a very nicely shaped ass. Unfortunate!

I don’t agree with people saying this is a terrible decision on Bradley’s part. It’s not a great one, but it looks like he can get into the first round. And anytime that is true, it really can’t be a horrible decision.

I don’t see any reason to believe he can’t develop better ball handling skills, and improve his jumpshot, and thus become a decent NBA combo guard. Probably more of a valuable reserve for a good team type than a star, but I could definitely see a nice career for him if he is dedicated to working on the fundamentals.

Good comparison to George Hill on the Spurs. Bradley is not a true point, but he can handle the ball, space the floor and play defense against the new super-quick (Lawson, Aaron Brooks etc) breed of PG’s. The 20’s are a good spot for him; he’ll be much more effective playing on a that has an All-Star scorer and doesn’t need a point to run the offense. Best case scenario he winds up in a Derek Fisher role; he’d be great next to Roy or Wade.

Maybe Morey will buy a late pick, get Bradley and develop him. The Rockets offense seems to be player friendly.

Personally, I wish Bradley came back to Texas for another season, but its his decision and I hope he does well.

Can someone with better talent evaluation skills than me explain how a guy like Avery Bradley can be valued higher than someone like Tweetie Carter? Carter is, I believe, I not even expected to be drafted, 2nd round at best.

Carter lead his team to within a hair of the final four, runs the point well, shoots the three, and is a great team leader. Avery doesn’t do any of that. I just don’t get it, it seems that NBA teams are trying to hit the lottery on every pick rather take a sure thing.

holdem, measurables. Size, athletic ability, etc.

Also a lot of NBA evaluation, especially in the back court, is a bottom up approach based on defensive ability. The first question you ask is who can the prospect guard. If you can’t hide a prospect on the defensive end, he better be a hell of an offensive player.

I think that’s what’s happening with Bradley. He can guard NBA 1’s and smaller 2’s. Tweetie, quite frankly, can’t.

ok, I get it, but it appears that Carter may actually have more “basketball ability”. If am Portland, one of the teams predicted to draft Bradley, what do I really need?

a. a 19 year old shooting guard that will likely need several years, if ever, to convert to a point guard. A guy that didn’t make the players around him any better, didn’t show any true desire to win, and will ultimately be a wasted roster spot in 10-11 and maybe 11-12.

If I’m a team like Portland, I take option B. They have all the pieces in place, they just need more time to mature, why add a black hole to the roster during your peak potential window?

holdem, Carter is listed as 5-11. He’d have to be a phenomal point guard to make it in the pros with that size. You take a 6-2, uber athletic guard and hope to develop him. You can never have enough solid defensive players with a good attitude and work ethic. Bradley can be taught how to play the game, Carter can’t be taught 6-2 and athleticism to stay in front of NBA guards.

Additionally, this “A guy that didn’t make the players around him any better, didn’t show any true desire to win,” will only go so far. Would you say Bradley dragged down the Texas team? So what if he didn’t make every player better? Who says he didn’t try. Did you watch the team play most of their games? That whole effed up team struggled to care, you really think a freshman guard adjusting to the game is gonna mentally put them on his back and make them better? The number of guards that do that in his position could be counted on one hand and go in the top 5. Also, I’m not sure you understand the term black hole in basketball speak if you think Bradley was one. I’ve seen black holes, Bradley was anything but that. See Abrams, A.J.

Avery Bradley suffered from not being selfish enough.

I agree Sailor. It’s not his personality but I think he now knows when to turn it on and when to turn it off. Valuable lesson for a humble kid from Tacoma, WA.

not sure at all how his game/size will translate to the NBA, but I am positive I’ll be rooting for the kid. I hope he falls into a good situation.

Actaully I am sick of all this. Everybody getting rich and we are going barely over .500 in the league the last 2 years. Barnes getting 2 mill and the 1 and dones getting paid and the BB fan at Texas getting hosed with crap basketball and higher ticket prices. I call bullshit.

Bradley’s departure opens up a spot for a new recruit. Is anyone on the radar?

Trips Right, What about Shawn Williams?

I’d love to see Shawn Williams get A LOT of PT next season personally.

Maybe it is just me, but I’d like to see more players on Texas team given the “Green Light” on the offensive end next season.

Hamilton and Brown seemed like they almost always had the “Green Light”. I’m glad they did and I hope both take their game up a notch next season.

I’d like to see players like Ward be able to shoot the ball more without having to worry about being ripped out of the game for missing a 3. First off though, I’d like to see Ward get healthy. Also I’d like to see Ward take it to the hoop more often.

I wish Avery Bradley was more selfish on the basketball court last season. I also would have liked to see Bradley drive to the hoop and finish more often.

I know Shawn Williams isn’t Damion James(or even that type of player), but I’d like to see Williams raining 3’s next season for Texas. Williams isn’t a bad rebounder either.

“I wish Avery Bradley was more selfish on the basketball court last season. I also would have liked to see Bradley drive to the hoop and finish more often.”

That aspect of Bradley’s game seemed to disappear once the free throw shooting declined. I couldn’t help but wonder if he didn’t take it to the rack because he was worried about not being to convert at the line.

As for the ‘not being selfish enough’ explanation – if AB was overly deferential as a 17-year old to college seniors, how is he going to bring value when surrounded by even older players?

Both of the above issues relate to the mental aspect of the game. Bradley’s physical skills aren’t in question.

Don’t get me wrong, I think Bradley should go pro if he is in demand. It is much easier for scouts to discount a single year than if he came back and had a subpar year as a sophomore.

It always floors me when people complain about all the one and dones Texas has had. Let me count them on less than one hand:

(1) Maurice Evans – left after one year with UT and 2 years at a Juco.

(2) Kevin Durant – National Player of the Year. Yes, I would have loved for him to stay and win a championship but what was the point? He really wouldn’t have learned anything more here.

(3) Avery Bradley

We have had other players leave early.
Chris Mihm – 3 years
TJ Ford – 2 years
Lamarcus Aldridge – 2 years
Daniel Gibson – 2 years
PJ Tucker – 3 years

We also had a couple of transfers
Michael Williams – 2 years?
Dion Dowell – 2 years?

Did I forget anyone?

Thank you so a lot to your nice suggestion.I will give it a look at.