Boston Celtics’ Most Valuable Playoff Players
There is no doubting that Isaiah Thomas has been the Boston Celtics’ most impactful player this season. He has brought the team a level of scoring that no one else is capable of reaching and he does so in truly any way imaginable. Coming off the bench, Thomas is responsible for most of the Celtics’ significant runs and without him there is a serious chance that the Celtics would be missing the playoffs.
Mar 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) defends Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated Boston Celtics 103-98. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
While Thomas is certainly the team’s regular season MVP, the Celtics may have to look to a different face in order to find the most valuable player to the Celtics’ chances in the playoffs.
The Celtics have two hidden gems on their team and if they are going to have any success in the post season, you can bet both Avery Bradley and Brandon Bass will be responsible.
First of all, this is not an attempt to say that Bass or Bradley are a more talented player than Thomas. Right now, there really is very little doubt that Thomas is the most talented player on the roster. He creates matchup problems for the defense that no one else is capable of providing and his ability to score tough baskets is something the Celtics have fallen back on during this run into the playoffs.
Dec 10, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets power forward Kevin Garnett (2) takes a rebound away from Boston Celtics power forward Brandon Bass (30) and point guard Avery Bradley (0) in the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Bass is one of the best contributors on the offensive end of the ball but that does not even come close to capturing his value to this team in the playoffs. And Bradley brings a level of defense that is starting to spread into the rest of the roster.
Looking at how Bass has performed offensively and it is shocking that he does not get more credit. As the unofficial leader of the league in two handed dunks, Bass brings a reliability and consistency to the offensive end that is matched by very few in the NBA.
Bass does the majority of his damage on mid range jumpers and there are very few who play that game better than him. It may be boosted a bit because of how many dunks and layups he puts in but considering he is primarily a jump shooter it is unbelievable that Bass is shooting over 50% on the season.
Apr 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Brandon Bass (30) reacts after making a basket during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Ball movement is what makes the Celtics offense work but all of that falls apart if the Celtics are not hitting open jumpers. While Thomas has an incredible ability to create shots for himself and others, Bass is the man on the other end making sure that all opportunities are capitalized on.
Bradley does not shoot the ball quite as well as Bass but his 43% on 13.2 FGA on the season is nothing to scoff at. Bradley is certainly a contributor on offense but everyone knows that his true impact is on the defensive end.
Brad Stevens has already talked about how great of an off ball defender Bradley is. He is second on the active roster with 1.08 steals per game but that in no way begins to capture his true impact. All you have to do is look at the team’s leader in steals to realize his impact on his teammates as Marcus Smart leads the way with 1.46 steals per game.
Mar 3, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) reaches around Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Bradley plays with a level of energy and attentiveness on the defensive side that is infectious. The Celtics always do a great job in the turnover battle and the main reason for that is the kind of defense that Bradley brings to the table. He gets, creates and capitalizes on steals in each and every game.
As important as Bass and Bradley are on the floor their true value is found off the floor. The Celtics are going into the playoffs as one of the youngest and most inexperienced teams, and that is on every level. Players and coach, the Celtics are going into the playoffs on a clean slate, ready to begin their own legacies.
The exceptions to this inexperience are Bradley and Bass. The two of them have been on the Celtics roster since the 2011-2012 season and in that time they have gone all the way to the eastern conference finals. Simply playing in the post season will allow Bass and Bradley to make sure everyone on the roster knows what to expect and are ready both mentally and physically.
These two guys also had the privileged of playing with two legends of the game in Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. The two of them brought an attitude and toughness to the Celtics that has been matched by no one else since. Having the opportunity to not only play with the two of them, but having the opportunity to contend for a championship with them has given both Bass and Bradley an edge that will hopefully spread to the rest of the roster.
The Celtics have had a resiliency this season and a never say die attitude that that is seen from the top to the bottom of the roster. In the playoffs, their opponents will not care that they are underdogs and with how great their playing you can bet that no one will be underestimating them.
The Celtics will be facing a lot of new mental challenges when they get into the playoffs and without Bradley and Bass there is no telling how they may react to those challenges. The Celtics will be ready for anything that gets in their way and, most importantly, they will believe in themselves and their teammates.
Kevin Garnett has long been known as one of the all time great teammates and if you think that did not rub off onto everyone he played with, you have yet to fully appreciate one of the all time great careers. Bradley and Bass will bring a piece of Garnett and Pierce with them everywhere they go and they will be the leaders of the team in the playoffs.
The Celtics cannot be scared, the cannot be intimidated and they will know above all else that nothing will be easy. There is no doubt that this Celtics team will have no issues in these areas and that is because they have Bass and Bradley giving them a boost between the ears. A boost that will never be measured and will never be given enough credit especially on a team with such little experience.
More from Hardwood Houdini
- Boston Celtics’ two-way contract decision will be made after training camp
- Proposed trade sends Boston Celtics playoff killer to the Cs from rival
- ‘Face of Germany’s stunning run’ in FIBA World Cup not the only ex-Boston Celtics player to win gold
- Proposed Boston Celtics trade target pitched for reunion with fired coach
- Battle For Banner 18: Will Boston Celtics battle historical foe in 2024 Finals?