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NBA: 5 Players Experiencing A Mid-Career Renaissance

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) makes a three point basket in the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) makes a three point basket in the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 25, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) goes up for a rebound during the second half of the San Antonio Spurs 109-103 win over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Avery Bradley

Avery Bradley is not typically thought of as a veteran player, but since he’s already 26 years old and in his seventh NBA season, he fits the bill for this list — especially when you consider how well he’s been playing for the Boston Celtics.

Averaging career-highs in scoring (17.9 points per game) and rebounding (7.9 rebounds per game), Bradley has more than proven himself as one the league’s best bargain contracts and most underrated two-way players.

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The Celtics are 10-7 in the East despite missing Al Horford and Jae Crowder for a combined 18 games, and a big part of the reason has been Bradley’s stifling defense, his superb .470/.409/.731 shooting splits, and his determination to make sure Boston is not overpowered every night on the boards.

At just under eight boards per game, Bradley is pulling down more rebounds here in 2016-17 than any guard not named Russell Westbrook. Rebounding was a key area of concern for a team that brought in a mediocre rebounder like Horford to be its starting center, and Bradley has answered the call by putting in extra effort for that aspect of the game.

The Celtics still rank 23rd in rebounds per game, 25th in opponent rebounds per game and 25th in rebounding percentage, but as the team’s leading rebounder, Bradley has more than done his part, racking up seven double-doubles through 17 games.

As he continues to knock down threes and help improve a defense that has the makings of a top-10 unit, perhaps Bradley will earn more league-wide recognition for his efforts.