Avery Bradley Blossoming into Player Boston Celtics Need Him to Be
The Boston Celtics love Avery Bradley. Why wouldn’t they?
At 24 years old and already playing in his fifth NBA season, Bradley's a workaholic with ferocious athleticism and highly sought defensive skills. Bradley's scored more points than any other Celtic this season, is one of the best lockdown defenders in the sport and is a quintessential role player.
He has his fair share of weaknesses but has made noticeable strides in the first season of his four-year, $32 million contract. Those who’ve closely followed Bradley’s career know how much better he is today than he was last year or the year before. Limitations exist, but they’re lessening. His all-around value to this Boston team is undeniable.
According to Grantland's Zach Lowe, Bradley was targeted by several teams around the league before the trade deadline, but Boston held on tight.
"Ainge loves Bradley and has already answered the question of whether he thinks the 24-year-old will be in Boston when the Celtics rise again: Multiple teams offered low first-round picks and expiring contracts for Bradley at the trade deadline, and Ainge flatly refused, per several league sources.
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This makes sense for all the reasons we're about to discuss, most notably the fact that Bradley is a valuable puzzle piece, whether Boston's contending for a title or starting from scratch.
Bradley’s offensive numbers don’t do justice to his effectiveness within Boston’s spread offense. He’s shooting 42.9 percent from the floor with an 11.4 PER. Bradley's also averaging 1.7 assists and 1.4 free-throw attempts per game.
Still, he’s become a staple of Boston’s nightly game plan, a hand-off-taking machine who feeds on mid-range jump shots. Every player needs a bread-and-butter move. Bradley’s found his. Before the analytics community rains fire down on any acknowledgment of this development being viewed as a good thing, it should be said that Bradley’s simultaneously effective as a spot-up threat behind the three-point line. That's a key reason why the Celtics are able to spread teams out and pick-and-roll them to death.
Like most who thrive playing for Brad Stevens, Bradley’s had success because he’s only asked to do what he can handle. Despite his 6’2” stature, he’ll never be a playmaking guard who effortlessly carves his way into the paint with the assistance of a high screen. Bradley isn’t a great ball-handler and can’t read the layers of a rotating NBA defense. He’s a role player in the strictest definition of the label and needs certain pieces around him in order to thrive.
Getting to the rim would be nice, but it’s not like defenses are happily letting Bradley fire away. He's getting better at responding when the initial shot gets taken away.
All this is OK! Everybody has flaws. Bradley’s worked hard to make sure the areas of his game he can control are the best they can be. He’s a positive influence.
Boston needs him to attempt shots he’s comfortable taking. He just doesn’t have the dexterity or ball control to consistently finish. However, he has extremely quick reflexes. If he can pick up Isaiah Thomas' nasty hesitation dribble—or any move, really—to take advantage, his contract will become one of the best bargains in the league.
Even if Bradley is never able to consistently create his own shot off the dribble, that's perfectly fine as long as the other guard in Boston’s backcourt can. Right now, the team's two backcourt options are Marcus Smart and Thomas—the latter being one of the league’s most destructive hurricanes off the dribble.
Thomas' contract lasts for the next three seasons and expires the same year Bradley's does. The Celtics score under 100 points per 100 possessions with Bradley on the floor this season. However, when Thomas is out there with him, that number jumps to 104.4 points per 100 possessions—nearly a top-10 unit.
As someone who can make tough shots, frees himself with precisely timed baseline cuts and understands what he can and can’t do, Bradley is a wonderful offensive puzzle piece. Despite being responsible for a good chunk of Boston’s scoring, his turnover rate is a career low right now. He’s finding out who he is. That’s a wonderful thing.
Bradley’s offensive shortcomings have consumed the conversation surrounding his game over the past couple years. Lost in the negativity is the fact that he still belongs somewhere on an all-defensive team.
Bradley is as physical on the ball as they come. He anticipates moves more times than not and somehow stays one step in front. He’s a mind reader like that. He locks the best point guards in the world in a small closet then tosses the key out a window.
The Celtics are one of the best transition defenses in the league, allowing only 1.06 points per possession. Bradley is a huge reason why. When Boston misses a shot, Bradley races straight to the lead ball-handler to stop the other team's momentum before it starts. If that's not possible, he either steals the ball or blocks a shot.
With Bradley, the Celtics know who they have. They know he can make life a living hell for every single guard in the league. They know he can shoot. Thanks to a rising cap, they know his contract will be an absolute bargain regardless of any further development.
But there's still room for improvement. The slight chance Bradley evolves to his absolute highest potential is something the Celtics are happily willing to see through to the end.
All statistics are courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com or NBA.com, unless otherwise noted.
Michael Pina is an NBA writer who lives in Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelVPina.
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