NBA Playoffs 2012: Without Bradley the Celtics Will Struggle to Make the Finals
The amount of injuries suffered by the Boston Celtics this season has been incredible. Jeff Green and Chris Wilcox were each lost for the season with heart ailments. Mickael Pietrus missed 22 games this season with a concussion. Ray Allen was forced to sit out multiple weeks due to bone spurs in his ankle that are still limiting the future Hall of Famer. Finally, a sprained MCL has clearly slowed down Celtics captain Paul Pierce throughout the playoffs.
The multitude of injuries to stars like Pierce and key bench players like Pietrus have restricted the team from playing their best and reaching their full potential. If Jeff Green and Chris Wilcox were healthy, do you really think that Ryan Hollins would be playing significant fourth quarter minutes in crucial playoff games?
The injury that has been lost in the shuffle due to Pierce and Allen’s much more publicized ailments may prove to be the most crippling.
Avery Bradley had been playing with a dislocated left shoulder. Despite the shoulder popping out numerous times during the Celtics series with the Philadelphia 76ers, Bradley continued to play on and contribute great defense and an additional scoring threat for the team.
However, the injury finally forced Bradley to miss game five Monday night. The Celtics were easily able to defeat the 76ers in blow out fashion, but the long term ramifications of Bradley’s injury are costly for a team that already lacks depth.
The Celtics should be able to finish off their series with the 76ers without Bradley. Philadelphia just doesn’t have the offensive fire power to stay with Boston when they get going.
The real issue will come if the Celtics advance to the Eastern Conference finals and presumably matchup against the Miami Heat.
The Heat’s strength is obviously the perimeter game of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. They are a load for any team to deal with because of their athleticism and ability to get to the rim at will.
Avery Bradley has developed into one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders. His lateral quickness, athleticism, and quick hands, make him a major nuisance for any opponent to deal with.
Bradley did a great job against Wade during the regular season, especially in the Celtics 91-72 victory over the Heat on April 1, in which Wade shot just 6-17 from the field and scored 15 points.
Without Bradley, the Celtics will have great difficulty stopping Wade. Rajon Rondo is too short and not strong enough to matchup against Wade, and Ray Allen doesn’t have the quickness and athleticism necessary to defend the star guard.
Paul Pierce doesn’t have the ability to shut down LeBron James, but has always stepped up his game when facing the three time MVP. Pierce’s scoring will at least negate a portion of James’ production and his size will allow him to combat his physicality.
The Celtics are going to have to beat the Heat with their defense. They can’t match their athleticism and the scoring of their two stars. Losing Bradley, who is by far their best perimeter defender, would be a huge blow to the team’s defense. Like in their playoff series last year, the Heat will be able to get to the rim with ease, draw fouls, and produce easy baskets around the rim.
Also, Ray Allen will be forced to play even more minutes than usual which could cause his ankle injury to take a turn for the worse. The burden of defending Wade for 35 plus minutes a game is a daunting task that at this stage of his career Allen is physically unable to perform.
The inconsistency of the Celtics offense will have trouble keeping up with the fast paced aerial attack of the Miami Heat without Bradley’ defensive presence. If Bradley is forced to miss multiple games of the series or is severely hampered by his injury, the Celtics will struggle mightily.
