Can the Celtics Win Without Avery Bradley?

Avery Bradley may be done for the season, is Boston’s season over too?

What a year Avery Bradley has had for the Boston Celtics. What a shame it has to end with hamstring injury in the first game of the playoffs.

Bradley has the stats. 15.2 points per game (2nd on team), 1.5 steals per game (2nd on team), 44.8 field-goal percentage and 36.1 three-point percentage (3rd on team) in 33.4 minutes per game (1st on team).

He missed only six games all year and now he’s most likely out for the remainder of the postseason. Bradley set career-highs in points, assists and steals per game this season, but the impact he had on the team doesn’t stop there.

There’s no doubt that Bradley’s impact on the Celtics goes farther than the stat sheet. He’s the only other guard besides Isaiah Thomas who has a consistent jump shot. He makes defenses respect him rather than letting them hone in on Thomas. Marcus Smart and Evan Turner are great rebounders, passers and Smart is arguably the best defensive player on the team, although, neither attracts defensive attention like Bradley.

He is constantly in movement trying to curl around for a jump shot near the free-throw line or trying to find an open look from three. He attempts 5.4 threes per game because he hangs around the perimeter a lot to create more space in the lane for Thomas to drive. Smart’s man leaves him open on the perimeter and acts as a free safety on defense, making it harder to drive the lane.

Bradley shoots a respectable three-point percentage, however, his 50.5 percent from inside the arc is where he shines. His curls and mid-range shot at the beginning of Game 1 against the Atlanta Hawks was the only offensive source for a while.

He’s not the focal point on offense but he is called upon a lot. Whether it’s spacing the floor, shooting threes or running in transition, Bradley seems to always be in the mix of a majority part of the offense. This season his offensive game has taken a huge step and he has become one of the better 3-and-D players in the league. It’s no surprise that he and Jae Crowder are relied on so heavily in crunch time.

Feb 25, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (left) and guard Avery Bradley (0) celebrate against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Sure, Isaiah Thomas is the go-to-guy late in games. Although, Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder seem to always be open for a clutch three when Thomas drives the lane and the defense collapses. They also play both ways late in games, unlike Thomas.

Avery Bradley always has the duty of guarding the best offensive guard on the opposing team – Jeff Teague for Atlanta. Thomas’s size makes him a liability late in games, that’s why Bradley plays so many crunch time minutes. In Saturday’s Game 1 loss, Teague finished with 23 points and 12 assists, however, nine points and four assists came in the fourth quarter.

The absence was already felt late in the game when Thomas was on him. Teague was able to take control of the offense and had his way with the Celtics. As big of an impact as Al Horford and Kent Bazemore had on Game 1, Teague won Atlanta the game in crunch time.

Avery Bradley finished sixth in Defensive Player of the Year voting for a reason. He constantly guards the best player and late in games he’s the one trying to stop the opposing team’s guard from either scoring or setting up their teammates.

More from Hardwood Houdini

The Celtics have options and this is where their depth will truly be tested. Marcus Smart provides the defense that Bradley brings and Evan Turner is as versatile as they come for Boston. After that, relying on rookies R.J. Hunter and Terry Rozier would be risky as neither one has much experience in the NBA.

Boston is going to be without someone who is a key component on both sides of the ball and would’ve played 35+ minutes in the playoffs. It’s going to be tough for them to overcome this injury, especially if Smart’s or Kelly Olynyk‘s injuries make them miss anytime.

Next: Who Should Boston Start in Game 2?

The Celtics have been one of the healthiest teams in the league this season but the injury bug hit the wrong player at the wrong time. Maybe Brad Stevens has some magic up his sleeve but this could be the knockout blow the Celtics were trying to avoid.

Home/Celtics News