Would you prefer the Celtics keep Avery Bradley or Marcus Smart?
Welcome to Boston.com’s Sports Q, our daily conversation, initiated by you and moderated by Chad Finn, about a compelling topic in Boston sports. Here’s how it works: You submit questions to Chad through Twitter, Facebook, email, his
Friday chat, and any other outlet you prefer. He’ll pick one each day (except for Saturday) to answer, then we’ll take the discussion to the comments. Chad will stop by several times per day to navigate. But you drive the conversation.
Couldn’t be happier that the Celtics signed Gordon Hayward. It’ll be nice to have someone knocking down all of the shots that Marcus Smart and Jae Crowder missed in the Cleveland series. But it is somewhat frustrating that because the Finals only went five games, the cap number went down, meaning the Celtics have to clear more salary to make this happen than they would have if the series had gone six or seven. Thanks, LeBron. My question: Would you rather the Celtics keep Smart or Avery Bradley? I’m pro-AB, but I think he’s gone, which is disappointing. Thoughts? – Jim B.
I know, isn’t that sort of ridiculous? The Celtics basically had to root for Cleveland to extend the series just so they would have more room to put together a team that could actually challenge … Cleveland. I understand why it works that way – TV money rules all – but it does seem kind of, I don’t know, conflicted. Bet the Cavs are happy with the small consolation prize of sticking it to the Celtics.
As far as who I keep, I hope it’s Bradley. I appreciate both players, and I think they’re both going to be meaningful contributors to championship-caliber teams for years to come (presuming good health). But Bradley is a far more polished offensive player – he’s the Celtics’ best player, period, every third game or so. He’s turned himself into a terrific midrange shooter, and he’s becoming a darned reliable 3-point shooter. Smart, for all of his strengths, still has more faith in his own shot than he probably should, and that’s detrimental at times.
I don’t know, I have to admit bias here – Bradley is one of my all-time favorite Celtics among non-superstars – but I hope in some way he can stay. I do think he’s the one who goes, though, just because he makes more money and there’s probably more of a market. Damn, I wish they could keep both of them. C’mon, Danny, work a miracle here!
But what do you guys think? If you could keep just one, would it be Bradley or Smart? I’ll see you in the comments.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com