NBA Playoffs 2012: What Avery Bradley's Injury Means for the Celtics

It was just announced via ESPN Boston that second year guard Avery Bradley will need season ending shoulder surgery. Although this isn't necessarily unexpected news considering Bradley has missed the past two games, it is still a huge blow to the Boston Celtics and their title aspirations.

In just his second year in the league, Bradley made a huge jump from seldom used reserve to a starter and large contributor on a playoff team. Especially in the second half of the season, Bradley made a huge impact every game for the Celtics.

It all started with his defense. Few players in the NBA now or ever could single-handedly change a game as much as Bradley did with his defense. For a guard, Bradley was as elite as they come throughout this season. He would pester opposing guards from baseline to baseline and make them work just to set up the offense.

That kind of defense is unique and its impact is incredible. His defense was just the start though. Later in the season, he began to make an equal impact on the offensive end as well. In the month of April, he tore it up, averaging 15 points a game on well over fifty percent shooting from both the field and three point range. 

His cuts to the hoop and improved jump shot made him reliable for double digit scoring a lot of the time. Unfortunately though, he will not be able to continue his great sophomore campaign deeper into the playoffs.

It is not only tough for a young player like him, but it is even tougher for an old team like the Celtics who may be on their last legitimate run for the title. Any young legs are important to this older Celtics team, especially Bradley.

As I mentioned before, he was an absolute game changer on defense and a solid offensive player as well. Without him, the Celtics are still a really good defensive team, but they are certainly worse on the defensive end without their best defender.

Just look at what Philly's guards were able to do in Game 6 in terms of penetrating. With Bradley in, Jrue Holiday would not have been able to get into the lane as easily as he did last game. 

Also, the Celtics struggling offense will now be without a player that could provide double digit scoring, three point shooting and easy baskets off of good cuts to the rim. 

Without Bradley, the Celtics now bone thin at the shooting guard position and are a definitely a worse team. It is yet another injury in a season where the Celtics have seen countless. However, this team has faced adversity all year and responded.

Now they are faced with even more adversity, and they must respond. Whether they will be able to go on without Bradley and still contend for a championship remains to be seen though. But we will soon find out.