Avery Bradley: Could he fit with the Raptors?
Avery Bradley: Before the off-season started Bradley was ranked as a mid 1st round pick. After the combine begun Bradley’s stock has soared and PG needy teams such as the Pacers, Kings, Grizzlies or Raptors. Bradley is compared by ESPN to Monta Ellis, but that is more due to him being a combo guard without a true NBA position than for his scoring ability or ability to finish a the hoop. It is also because Bradley, like Ellis, is not a true point, although that is likely where whatever team that drafts him would like him to play. Bradley’s strong play at workouts and outstanding 6’7 wingspan have opened a lot of eyes and as stated above his stock is soaring.
How he’d fit with Raptors: As suggested by our friends at Raptors Republic, Avery Bradley is not a true point, but would be an ideal fit with Turkoglu still on our team, as Turk would be able to become more involved with the Raptors game plan as a point forward. If Turkoglu gets dealt, than this pick is not as good, but Bradley is a NBA ready defender, and for a team that desperately needs defense at the 1, Bradley would be a godsend. I got an email saying that Marcus Banks can defend too, but he is not in our long-term plans and also has an expiring contract and thus will be traded. Bradley is being looked at by NBA scouts as a Russel Westbrook type, and as we have seen with him, put the right pieces around Bradley and he can really blossom. Once called the best prospect in high school, Bradley would be a steal much like Jennings, Holiday or DeRozan if he were to slip to the Raptors.
Raptors Digest thoughts: He may not last until 13, but if he does, he is likely the player at the top of our draft board. Bradley is the top player on the Raptors Digest big board and has been heavily linked to the Raptors in recent weeks. Strong workouts means he may not be available.
Now for some video:
Raju Byfield is a Senior Sports Writer for Raptors Digest.
Raju Byfield also writes for Win My Fantasy League as a Senior Sports Writer/Fantasy Sports Analyst.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
I question the logic of drafting a 19 year old player who will probably only fit in playing alongside a 31 year old on he downside of his career and who might not even be on the team next season. What is the chance of Bradley being any better than Marcus Banks, who is a player with an extremely similar scouting report coming out of UNLV?
[Reply]
Raju aka RaptorCity Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 4:26 pm
I hear ya Tim, however Bradley can learn the point and has more offensive upside than Banks ever had.
With GM’s thinking Bradley is a Westbrook type, his stock is soaring.
The thing here is he is not a true point and may be better off playing with someone who can help share the distribution duties on offense.
The facts you mentioned however is why the Raptors would be well advised to take long looks at Warren, Johnson and Bledsoe, though Bradley may be the superior talent, especially due to his D
He didn’t get much of a chance to run point at Texas according to reports so learning behind Jack he has the chance to develop into something special
I know, and that’s why I mentioned Banks, but I would posit a 70% chance he becomes a better scorer than Banks ever was, however remember Banks is a former starter who was rewarded with a overly big contract.
[Reply]
Westbrook had PG skills coming into the league. I was actually a big, big fan and felt he would end up being a good player. I don’t feel the same way about Bradley. He’s shown almost no ability to be a PG previously, and making the change, especially in the NBA, from a SG to a PG is incredibly difficult. It usually takes years and even then, rarely happens. I think I can probably count the number of players that have made the conversion in the last 10 years on one hand.
And the thing about converting a SG to a PG, is that you have to do it right away, and you can’t have him playing off the ball sometimes and on it other times. Becoming a PG is a mental thing, and by allowing him to play, basically, both positions would kill any chance he had at making the transition.
And Banks isn’t a bad player, but what’s the point of getting a player who will most likely become a player with similar skills? I think drafting Bradley is reactionary. If the Raptors PGs didn’t struggle so much on defense, people wouldn’t be so hyped up on a player who has a very good chance of not fitting in at any position.
[Reply]
Nicely put Tim, if we are really looking for our point guard of the future Bradley may not be the best pick.
Bradley did say today that he grew up playing the 1 so has some familiarity with the position
I think Warren is a better point guard prospect, ditto for Johnson and Bledsoe, their fits will be analyzed in the coming days
But the fact is Bradley may be a better overall prospect, just maybe not at 13
[Reply]
Obviously I’m not a big fan of picking Bradley. And from what I’ve seen of Bradley, he played the 2 in high school, so I’m not sure how far back you have to go back for him to play the 1.
As for who is the better prospect, most of the time, it’s not necessarily how talented a player is but whether or not he will fit in. Bradley’s got lots of talent, but if he can’t convert to PG, he’s pretty much screwed.
[Reply]
I agree and think purchasing or trading for an extra pick to grab Willie Warren is in the Raptors best interests, that way we can get a wing or big at 13
[Reply]
The fact that Bradley likes playing Defense first is the reason why he stands out in a lot of GM’s minds. 6’7 wingspan also helps. If he wasn’t as defensive minded, I think he would be labeled as a late first rounder. It is a toss up between Bledsoe and Bradley. I see Indiana and Memphis nabbing 1 of the 2 if not both.
[Reply]
Raju aka RaptorCity Reply:
June 5th, 2010 at 1:34 am
I feel the same way, one of them will likely go to Indiana or Memphis
[Reply]
[...] Read our complete Avery Bradley analysis here [...]
[...] Avery Bradley is also scheduled to be at the workout but will not be participating due to a ‘badly, sprained ankle’. [...]
Leave your response!
NBA Twitter Wire
Login
Our Friends
Polls
Follow Us On Twitter
Latest Analysis from Raptors Digest
Raptors Digest is proudly powered by WordPress
Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS).