POST GAME LA CLIPPERS

worcester wrote:This Celtics team is playing without JO, CW, and Jeff Green - that's a huge hole in any team's lineup. Still, they're playing with great heart and competing with the best in the league. What great performers, what a great coach, what a great tradition. Go Green!

Hi,
In classical words - Half kingdom for a horse big. Hah?

AK

Bob, the baseline drive and dunk by Bradley may have been my favorite play of the game. Talk about high percentage shots!. Even though Avery's game couldn't really be called "well-rounded," he's learning how to play within his strengths and not to attempt the improbable. More and more, a jumper is creeping into his arsenal of strengths.

Sam

SAM,

WHERE DO YOU THINK BRADLEY'S GAME IS FIRST YEAR PLAYING FULL TIME VERSES RONDO'S FIRST YEAR?

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sam wrote:Bob, the baseline drive and dunk by Bradley may have been my favorite play of the game. Talk about high percentage shots!. Even though Avery's game couldn't really be called "well-rounded," he's learning how to play within his strengths and not to attempt the improbable. More and more, a jumper is creeping into his arsenal of strengths.

Sam

sam,

I think you summed it up well. He's not well-rounded. He isn't a clever dribbler (although he's better than Tony Allen!), he's not a good floor general (KG had to call out plays for him a few times), he's not really a shooter (although he can shoot, and they are dropping in for him more lately) but he has figured out what his ticket to staying in the NBA is and is playing "within himself". On-the-ball defense, obviously, but also moving without the ball on offense. On this dunk he came down from on top but he usually slides along the baseline for layups. Doc has taught him well. Doc told him some weeks back "don't watch the ball, watch your man. When you see him take his eyes off you, that's when you go". He has used that lesson very effectively since.

He is definitely getting better. Definitely rewarding Danny's enduring faith in him and earning Doc's respect (not something he easily gives to young players). During this offseason, he needs to work on his crossover dribble. I'm talking about the offseason, and not now, because this will take time to become truly comfortable with and mid-season is not a good time to try out new stuff that you're not sure will stand up to NBA competition. He's very good at running over halfcourt, but then he pulls up and passes off. If he develops a killer crossover even the slightest pick will free him up to go to the hoop.

And this .gif shows what he can do when he goes to the hoop...

bob

.

Guy's,

It is his first true year playing any amount of meaningful minutes. He needed to be taught how to run the offense and so far he has learned quickly from Doc's tutoring. His play is 100% better then at the beginning of the year.

If you recall Rondo's first year, Doc was calling every play.

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