Greg Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The last couple of seasons, power forward Brandon Bass was one of the more pleasant surprises on the Boston Celtics roster. But this year, Bass appears to have regressed a bit from the player he was previously.
Bass managed to average double figures as a reserve and spot starter in scoring each of the last two years, 11.2 points with the Orlando Magic in 2010-2011 and a career-high 12.5 points per game in 2011-12 after the Celtics traded Glen Davis to Orlando for him. But this season, Bass’s scoring is down to just 8.7 a game, despite him starting in 68 of the 80 games he has played in.
Granted, Bass has gotten fewer shots this season mostly due to the emergence of Jeff Green, but there are other ways for Bass to finds points. Although he may be undersized for a NBA four, Bass can still fight for rebounds on the offensive glass and move around without the basketball to give his teammates passing outlets here and there. But what it really come down to is, if Bass isn’t scoring, than he’s a liability on the court due to his lack of size and subpar rebounding and defensive ability.
The Celtics saw enough promise in Bass to sign him to a three-year, $19 million dollar contract last summer, but if Bass continues to play at this level then it will begin to appear that Boston overpaid a bit for his services. Bass will have an opportunity to redeem himself in the playoffs, but he will need to step it up for Boston to have a real chance in the postseason.
