The Boston Celtics are still in the phase of the season that player roles and bench minutes are a work in progress. The lack of a full training camp has made player roles an aspect that has had to be forged on the fly. One interesting role up for grabs is the about ten minutes a game that needs to be filled when Ray Allen and Rondo both need a rest. The battle for those minutes is between second year man Avery Bradley and rookie E’Twaun Moore. This is a battle that Bradley is winning with his defense.
The role has always been one that coach Doc Rivers has always wanted to give to a defensive player. Tony Allen had that role back in 08 and gave Boston some solid minutes defending guys like Dwayne Wade and Kobe Bryant. Bradley thus far has filled those shoes nicely.
Bradley in his last game was an absolute load for Jon Wall and Jordan Crawford. He used his speed to beat them to their spot the entire ten minutes on the floor. They could not get into the paint or get the shot they wanted with Bradley being on them like white on rice. He forced them to even back peddle at times by being so tenacious pressuring the ball.
However, Bradley may have won this battle, but the war for these minutes is not over. As great as Bradley has been on defense, he has been as awful on offense. Bradley just seems wild and erratic driving to the basket. He can get to the hoop, but his wild shot just does not fall. His jump shot has also not been falling. This means the door may be open for Moore to win this war.
The Celtics need defense, but at they need some offense on the floor. The bench needs to able to score enough to hold the lead the starters hand them. Moore’s sweet stroke looks like a great addition to the rotation. The man has shown an ability to knock down the open shot from not only 15 feet, but long range. He looks like the shooter Boston was missing to stretch the floor last season during the Heat series.
The problem for Moore is his defense is just not NBA ready. He just does not know the Celtics defensive system and how to beat his man to the spot. The man is late too many times in help rotations. This means Bradley despite his offensive woes will get the minutes.
The winner of this war will be the guy that gets the more complete game faster. Can Bradley get a handle on an NBA offense and contribute some scoring punch with his athletic gifts? Can Moore learn an NBA defense and at least be solid? Whichever one answers the question with a yes first will earn some solid minutes off the bench. Remember Go Green Or Go Home!!!!!!!
