Playoff Picture: Boston Celtics
By Luke Duffy
Potential X-Factor
Avery Bradley
It’s no secret the Celtics love having Bradley on their team. Practically an elder statesman now, he plays hard every night and has some indispensable skills this team needs on their team. Like Smart, he’s a lockdown defender and has been for years now. Combined with Smart, they make a backcourt that is tough to breakdown. A recent injury may be cause for concern though.
Avery Bradley has suffered a left quad contusion in tonight's game against Toronto and will not return.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 15, 2015
He’s able to shoot the three ball pretty consistently too, a big plus for player and team. Being able to defend to a high level and shoot from deep is a deadly combination that has probably never been in higher demand in the NBA.
He’s not having his best season from deep (shooting 35 percent compared to 39 percent last season) but it’s also true he’s not getting the open looks he would have either. He’s only averaging a point less than he did last year though (13.9 points per game). He sets the tone though, having been on this team for a while now.
Avery Bradley & @ZellerTyler list the reasons, from A-to-Z, for @Celtics' rise: http://t.co/0aOWJsmoyb #InsideStuff pic.twitter.com/VPAjwfcAHQ
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) April 12, 2015
You have to think he’s essential to this team’s future. But he also has to be a leader now in this transitionary period. He averages less than two assists per game though, and that’s a number that needs to improve. A tough, gritty player, he won’t make it easy for opponents. In fact, it is that never-say-die attitude that Bradley personifies that this team will need to tap into if they are to have any hope of surviving a series.
Next: No Shocks In Store Here