SICK OF WATCHING RIVERS

[MichaelMcNamara]

When did Avery Bradly become such a hot commodity?

He is a very good player who is getting better. My feeling is that some people don't know that because he is on a team that most don't watch and doesn't appear on SportsCenter a lot. They probably remember the Bradley from when the Celtics were relevant, but he is not that same guy at all.

[Austin Rivers]

He is a very good player who is getting better. My feeling is that some people don't know that because he is on a team that most don't watch and doesn't appear on SportsCenter a lot. They probably remember the Bradley from when the Celtics were relevant, but he is not that same guy at all.

He's a good off the ball scorer and a great defender. As I've said, he never passes the ball and has tunnel vision, zero court vision and he's pretty weak at getting to the rim and finishing. He's been hitting his shots, but he can be frustrating when he isn't hitting his shots. As long as he is hitting his mid and long range shots and playing great defense he's great at the 2-guard next to Rajon Rondo and soon Marcus Smart.

Rivers is a different player on offense. I'd be thrilled if Rivers developed into the consistent threepoint/midrange shooter that Bradley has become, but Rivers has much more variety in his game on offense. He's better at handling the ball, getting to the rim and has better passing skills and court vision. He isn't great at it, but Bradley is a complete non factor in those areas.

[MichaelMcNamara]

He's a good off the ball scorer and a great defender. As I've said, he never passes the ball and has tunnel vision, zero court vision and he's pretty weak at getting to the rim and finishing. He's been hitting his shots, but he can be frustrating when he isn't hitting his shots. As long as he is hitting his mid and long range shots and playing great defense he's great at the 2-guard next to Rajon Rondo and soon Marcus Smart.

Rivers is a different player on offense. I'd be thrilled if Rivers developed into the consistent threepoint/midrange shooter that Bradley has become, but Rivers has much more variety in his game on offense. He's better at handling the ball, getting to the rim and has better passing skills and court vision. He isn't great at it, but Bradley is a complete non factor in those areas.

They are different players - no two are the same. That is why I am talking about production and role. To me, Rivers' ceiling in that department is Bradley. 3rrd or 4th option offensively on a good team that could give you 14-17 and also be one of the best defenders in the league.

That is a top 80-100 player in the world. If Austin ever gets there, everyone should be on Cloud Nine.

[Austin Rivers]

They are different players - no two are the same. That is why I am talking about production and role. To me, Rivers' ceiling in that department is Bradley. 3rrd or 4th option offensively on a good team that could give you 14-17 and also be one of the best defenders in the league.

That is a top 80-100 player in the world. If Austin ever gets there, everyone should be on Cloud Nine.

I agree with that, that would definitely make the pick a success and Pels fans happy.

[UNO Gracias]

If Austin could turn himself into a top 200 player by years end that would be great. Coming into the season he deserved to be ranked among those teetering on their way out. After 4 he looks like he might be turning the corner from disaster to midiocrity.

I don't get the Bradley love, but like most commenting on him, I never watch him play. I just think of him as an also ran who is putting up numbers on a bad team, like GV here, or MCW in Philly.

[MichaelMcNamara]

If Austin could turn himself into a top 200 player by years end that would be great. Coming into the season he deserved to be ranked among those teetering on their way out. After 4 he looks like he might be turning the corner from disaster to midiocrity.

I don't get the Bradley love, but like most commenting on him, I never watch him play. I just think of him as an also ran who is putting up numbers on a bad team, like GV here, or MCW in Philly.

I give you so much props for admitting that. Honestly, props

[UNO Gracias]

About the GV thing, or about being honest when I say like others, I have never seen a player (for an opposing team) I am commenting about? That's more exaggeration than fact. I have not seen any Bucks, Celts, Hornets, Wizards, Nets, Knicks, Kings, Denver, Minny, Dal, Hawks, Magic, Heat, Blazers, or GS games unless we play them. They hold no interest for me.

What is interesting is how both GV and RoLo have found success. Neither will be an all star, but both are maintaining NBA careers.

[MichaelMcNamara]

I was commenting on your admission that you haven't watched Bradley a lot. Not many would admit that. They would prefer to win an argument over admitting that truth

[UNO Gracias]

I doubt anyone watches all the guys they talk about (making a move for). Unless it's your job, who has time for that? I follow the Jazz and Suns probably more than I should, but I grew up liking those teams (as there were no Hornets/Pelicans as the time). But by and large everyone here that is comparing one guy to another, or saying lets make a move for player Y, do you follow their game , or Are you just using their stats as the reason you are making that call? I'm not saying it's a bad thing, not saying it's a good thing. It's a "I'll be honest, looking at their stats I have come up with the decision/idea that...."

Honesty. Isn't it about time?

[MichaelMcNamara]

I doubt anyone watches all the guys they talk about (making a move for). Unless it's your job, who has time for that? I follow the Jazz and Suns probably more than I should, but I grew up liking those teams (as there were no Hornets/Pelicans as the time). But by and large everyone here that is comparing one guy to another, or saying lets make a move for player Y, do you follow their game , or Are you just using their stats as the reason you are making that call? I'm not saying it's a bad thing, not saying it's a good thing. It's a "I'll be honest, looking at their stats I have come up with the decision/idea that...."

Honesty. Isn't it about time?

It is. I was just saying that most don't admit that.

[UNO Gracias]

I don't blame people. I blame that Al Gore and his invention of the Internet for ripping society apart at the message boards.

Or is it a higher being that we should blame, like Simon Pegg's Worlds End movie says.

[Asteptooslow]

Bradley is an awesome defender.

[HoustonPelicans]

I doubt anyone watches all the guys they talk about (making a move for). Unless it's your job, who has time for that? I follow the Jazz and Suns probably more than I should, but I grew up liking those teams (as there were no Hornets/Pelicans as the time). But by and large everyone here that is comparing one guy to another, or saying lets make a move for player Y, do you follow their game , or Are you just using their stats as the reason you are making that call? I'm not saying it's a bad thing, not saying it's a good thing. It's a "I'll be honest, looking at their stats I have come up with the decision/idea that...."

Honesty. Isn't it about time?

YouTube highlights, stats, combined with opinions from fans' of their respective teams is how I make my decision on players to target tbh

[BallSoHard]

I don't blame people. I blame that Al Gore and his invention of the Internet for ripping society apart at the message boards.

Or is it a higher being that we should blame, like Simon Pegg's Worlds End movie says.

I use nba2k. 2k says Panda Friend is a 72 and Darius miller is a 71 so I want panda .

[Caffeinedisastr]

I use nba2k. 2k says Panda Friend is a 72 and Darius miller is a 71 so I want panda .

[RaisingTheBar]

YouTube highlights, stats, combined with opinions from fans' of their respective teams is how I make my decision on players to target tbh

Highlights are lies, you never see the player's flaws. The only videos on youtube that I find helpful when evaluating players unbiasedly is DX's vidoes. If someone would make videos like that for NBA guys that would be fantastic.

[HoustonPelicans]

Highlights are lies, you never see the player's flaws. The only videos on youtube that I find helpful when evaluating players unbiasedly is DX's vidoes. If someone would make videos like that for NBA guys that would be fantastic.

Those guys just started making videos like that for NBA free agents this past summer.

[RaisingTheBar]

Those guys just started making videos like that for NBA free agents this past summer.

Well......

there goes any productivity from me.

[Kurgan]

Only for prominent free agents (lebron, bosh, melo) so you have still a ton of work on your hands

[GuardianAngel25]

seem pretty butt hurt about the Bradley comparison, not sure why. rivers has played two games with a decent fg% that is making it look good so far. Bradley had times throughout his third season with good numbers too. Game 27 & 28 of the 12-13 season. just give it a rest. He's had 2 pretty poor years, is looking better, lets hope he can keep that consistency.

Yea I'm butt hurt over a bad comparison. Look how stupid everything is you just said. Bradley's 1st 2 seasons were nothing better than Rivers and actually worse. You compare year 3 game 27 and 28 right? Rivers just started year 3!!! Rivers hasn't had game 27 and 28 yet! All I have said is give the guy time and let him develop. I just think the Bradley Conparison is a joke considering he just started playing well and is on a team with half the options scoring we have. He's in year 5 playing much more minutes. I think by that time Rivers will be outplaying Bradley and if not it still is not his ceiling. Rivers may never be as good but that still does not make Bradley his ceiling.

[GuardianAngel25]

He's a good off the ball scorer and a great defender. As I've said, he never passes the ball and has tunnel vision, zero court vision and he's pretty weak at getting to the rim and finishing. He's been hitting his shots, but he can be frustrating when he isn't hitting his shots. As long as he is hitting his mid and long range shots and playing great defense he's great at the 2-guard next to Rajon Rondo and soon Marcus Smart.

Rivers is a different player on offense. I'd be thrilled if Rivers developed into the consistent threepoint/midrange shooter that Bradley has become, but Rivers has much more variety in his game on offense. He's better at handling the ball, getting to the rim and has better passing skills and court vision. He isn't great at it, but Bradley is a complete non factor in those areas.

Thank you exactly what I am trying to say. Bradley as a ceiling is a joke. Rivers has not even had the chance to play his 3rd year and blow by what Bradley did which he will. Bradley has nobody else taking the ball on that team other than an elite passing Rondo and Green. We have so many mouths to feed the situation isn't even fair to compare #s but Rivers is still matching and doing better considering year 1 and 2.

[GuardianAngel25]

I was commenting on your admission that you haven't watched Bradley a lot. Not many would admit that. They would prefer to win an argument over admitting that truth

I have league pass watch damn near every game especially the celtics who are in my top 5 favorite teams since a kid. I have seen tons of Bradley and he did not flash anything near what Rivers has shown at times other than immediately being a great defender. Rivers has great defesnvie ability along with being a spot up shooter even better than him. Rivers other skill sets are what Bradley doesn't even compare to. Was Bradley a top 100 player after year 2? Haha I know he wasn't for sure. Was he after year 3? No he definitely was not or even considered. Go put Rivers in the same offensive situation as Bradley for his 4th and 5th year his #s would blow away Bradley's with the assists and even points. Rivers needed time to develop and still does but is showing he can become very good to even star. He wasn't rated a top 10 pick by all experts because he can't be. If we put Rivers in Bradley's situation right now he would be lighting it up in year 3 not 5.

[billfromfinance]

Yea I'm butt hurt over a bad comparison. Look how stupid everything is you just said. Bradley's 1st 2 seasons were nothing better than Rivers and actually worse. You compare year 3 game 27 and 28 right? Rivers just started year 3!!! Rivers hasn't had game 27 and 28 yet! All I have said is give the guy time and let him develop. I just think the Bradley Conparison is a joke considering he just started playing well and is on a team with half the options scoring we have. He's in year 5 playing much more minutes. I think by that time Rivers will be outplaying Bradley and if not it still is not his ceiling. Rivers may never be as good but that still does not make Bradley his ceiling.

I'll clarify one thing first - game 27 & 28 is his game 27 and 28, he sat out the first 30 games with his shoulder surgery. Overall though you miss my point. I was merely highlighting you seem to be taking it personal and arguing emotionally, all because one person says his ceiling is Avery Bradley. No one is disagreeing with you that give him time and he will develop. Avery Bradley was a lock down defender, 2nd team all NBA in his third year. He has been ranked in the top 110 for three years (106,102,109). Why is this such a bad thing for a ceiling? Rivers rankings have been 285, 281, 300. If rivers can do the things he does at the same level as Bradley, everyone would be happy.

[GuardianAngel25]

Go look at Kyle Lowry who shot 4 straight seasons under 30% while playing 20+ mins. Wonder if his ceiling what have been anything near Bradley. Guy has world his but off and consistently improve his game and skill set. He was a good defender early on who could rebound and create plays for otherd but couldn't shoot for the life of him especially from 3. He was good at getting to the basket. When his shot progressed from 3 mainly over time he scored a lot more along with the rest of his game developing. He has now turned into a top guard who is all star caliber and a triple double waiting to happen. Rivers showed at the end of last season he was also and has this season. Just don't think it's fair somewhat with his skill set gets compared to Bradley who has nowhere near the skill set of neither. Fans need to be patient with our 10th pick and enjoy watching the development of one of our own. He is one of the hardest workers in the league which is something we should all love and respect. He is someone who will reach his potential because of what he does and I think it will be something special. Let's let it play out and we can come back to this all star break and years later.

[GuardianAngel25]

I'll clarify one thing first - game 27 & 28 is his game 27 and 28, he sat out the first 30 games with his shoulder surgery. Overall though you miss my point. I was merely highlighting you seem to be taking it personal and arguing emotionally, all because one person says his ceiling is Avery Bradley. No one is disagreeing with you that give him time and he will develop. Avery Bradley was a lock down defender, 2nd team all NBA in his third year. He has been ranked in the top 110 for three years (106,102,109). Why is this such a bad thing for a ceiling? Rivers rankings have been 285, 281, 300. If rivers can do the things he does at the same level as Bradley, everyone would be happy.

Does not offend me at all im expressing my point along with others that also have that Bradley is a way off ceiling. Yes everything you said about him is defensively which Rivers hopefully becomes but offensivley Bradley can't touch him with multiple skills. He is a spot up shooter than can't create for others. He is playing more minutes and scorning decently with an ok %. He is also 2 years ahead of Rivers on a team with no options. No we should not be happy if Rivers reaches Bradley's level that will be underachieving and not what we picked as our 10th overall. I expect him with time to do so and so should others. The ? Is will he or won't he get better and my opinion is he had many things to fix other than his game before he could be his best. His maturity, strength, weight, and experience being a 1 and done. When adding all of that strength he has can completely change your athleticism and is starting to be noticeable. He had some bad injuries at crucial times when he was taking the next step in his game. Now he has had the time to put all of that together with the ability to keep improving on every single thing from speed to skill.