NBA Power Rankings: All 30 Starting Shooting Guards

25.  Avery Bradley — Boston Celtics

I’m still trying to wrap my head around why Danny Ainge decided to grant Bradley a four-year, $32 million contract extension this summer.  Since when is Bradley realistically worth $8 million per season?

Boston’s rebuilding hasn’t necessarily went smooth since losing Ray Allen to Miami, Rajon Rondo to an ACL injury, and their two veterans to the Brooklyn Nets.

Although, the Celtics clearly won that trade for their future, lining themselves up for 850 first-round draft picks in the next few years.  No, but seriously, Brooklyn tossed their future outlook down the toilet by relieving Boston of their two over-the-hill forwards in Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

Since the deal, Boston has been able to assemble the loaded backcourt of Rondo, Bradley, rookies Marcus Smart & James Young, and whatever’s left of Evan Turner after that embarrassment in Indiana.

Bradley played in 60 games last season after battling injuries, and improved his shooting touch more than any other guard I witnessed.  Not only did Bradley feel more comfortable with stretching the court and taking the looks — nearly doubling his 3-point attempts from the season before — but he also sky-rocketed his percentage.  In 2012-13, he was on the fence of a 30 percent 3-point shooter, and he managed to reach new heights in 2013-14 by improving by 7.8 percent.  When you factor in that he took 3.3 triples per game, the nearly 8 percent increase matters more than you realize.

Bradley has never been judged on offense, though.

Of course he took on a larger role by playing more minutes and having the ball in his hands more often, but he makes his impact by guarding his opposition.

Did we forget the Eastern Conference battles between Doc Rivers‘ Celtics and LeBron’s Heat?  Who was it that forced LeBron and Dwyane Wade into taking better care of the ball?  Bradley, who showed his intensity as an on-ball defender, staying in front of whoever tries to take him to the rack.

Playing in the passing lanes is what Bradley live on when playing hard-nosed defense.  He can either force a guard to throw an errant pass and force a turnover, or anticipate passes and step directly in front for the steal.  Sometimes, both in concession:

You’d have an easier time guessing when Boston would reach the Finals again before you figured out how they’ll manage this loaded backcourt.  But, they have all the combinations they need on both ends of the floor.  Turner should be thrown away, and Brad Stevens knows he’ll be going with Rondo and Bradley as his initial starters.

I just would’ve liked to see Bradley get a lower amount of salary, in case he becomes an asset they want to trade.  Some teams may look at how much they’d have to pay a mediocre offensive player, and shy away.