11/21/24
April 26, 2012
Is the Positionless Player the Future of the NBA?: Paul Flannery on Avery Bradley's ascent.
posted by yerfatma to basketball at 11:17 AM - 3 comments
I don't think Bradley is the first positionless guy.
When the other team threatens to pull all its bigs out beyond the arc to hoist game icing treys (nyuk, nyuk), that's when you need an Ilgauskas hanging out way the fuck away from the paint to lurk in deadly waiting as a long range shot blocker.
posted by beaverboard at 07:59 PM on April 26, 2012
"Back in the day" there was less of a distinction between the guard positions, although one was usually more of a playmaker than the other. Both were expected to score, and both were expected to be able to handle the ball. Bradley's main talent is on defense, and whether he's a point guard or a shooting guard makes little difference. One problem he will have is in defending a taller "2" guard, since he is only 6'2". Taller players will try to post him up, but his quickness can help to deny them the ball to start with, and a 'help' defense can also keep this from being too great a factor.
posted by Howard_T at 09:22 PM on April 26, 2012
That game against Jameer Nelson was damn impressive. I have never seen an NBA point guard afraid to dribble before. I think it's easy to be a positionless wonder when you're that good at defending.
It seems like every other year I'm either rooting for or hating the Celtics. This year, I really like this team. Maybe it's the improbability of it all.