Avery Bradley, So Long: The Boston Celtic Who Could've and Would've

Avery Bradley has finally been sent to the D-League's Maine Red Claws.

Wishful thinking got me hoping that he would have a breakout game. But being behind four future Hall of Fame starters, a star point guard in Rajon Rondo and one of the, if not the, deepest, best benches in the NBA, it is kind of hard to showcase yourself.

Not to mention the fact that he is a rookie point guard having to learn the practiced system that the Celtics ran.

It all started with the 2010 NBA Draft. I was still left with a sour taste from the turn of events in the 2010 NBA Finals. Then the picks that the Celtics attained deviated my attention: Avery Bradley.

I definitely remember the name from before in my hours of surfing college highlight reels. 

Then, naturally, I googled the kid and saw so much promise. While not as star spangled as some of the other picks, there was definitely promise, especially with the defensive-oriented Boston Celtics.

Immediately, Avery sustained an ankle injury during a draft workout. Omen.

Already behind in learning the game of the floor general playing like a scoring guard in a point guard's body, he was another step behind other NBA players in his workouts.

Fortunately, he made one of the last seats boarding the express to the 18th championship. 

And soon, the season started. As expected, Avery got garbage minutes. But what was not was the defensive intensity that he showed, which fired me up during the less meaningful minutes in basketball history in a 100-75 defeat of the Nets—that was the tipping point.

This kid played defense like it was the '90s. I fell in love.

I hoped and prayed that Avery would get a breakout game and a nod from Doc. Perhaps it would be in the next game against the Bobcats? Maybe the Pacers? This has to be it.

The Raptors game will be the game when Avery will secure some minutes. The defense was inspiring, but he was a burden on the offensive end, which did not help as several key players were lost to injury.

In the King's shell-shock, Avery once again logged meaningless minutes. It was after that game that Doc decided young Bradley should play basketball in the D-League, as the current circumstances have nothing going for the 6'2" guard from Texas.

At least his short NBA stint ended with a bang: a breakaway dunk from a steal.

When I saw the news, I sighed in grief, as this may be a one-way trip from the NBA. And with a tint of relief I knew, deep down, that this was inevitable and Bradley's fight against the difficult circumstances were finally over.

I hope that the kid will be one of the few players to make it back out of the D-League and be a difference-maker. Only time will tell.

Best wishes from all of us.