Avery Bradley’s Health Critical to Boston Celtics’ Playoff Run
By Derek Mcvay
Since returning from his Achilles injury, Avery Bradley continues to show his importance to the Boston Celtics on both ends of the floor.
Anybody who thinks that the absence of Avery Bradley doesn’t significantly impact the Boston Celtics is flat out wrong. This is not an overreaction to Sunday’s defensive dominance against the Bulls — although Bradley did make life miserable for Dwyane Wade. Bradley’s importance to the Celtics has been on display all season long.
Simply put, Boston doesn’t defend as well without Bradley on the floor. In the 24 games he has missed this season, opposing teams have averaged an astounding 108 points per game. On the contrary, opponents have averaged just 103 points per game in the 43 games Bradley has appeared in.
When your offense is averaging 107 points per game, the difference between allowing 103 and 108 is pretty significant.
Not only is he one of Boston’s top on-ball defenders, he’s regarded by many players across the NBA as one of the best defenders in the league. If he picks you up full court, it’s in your best interest to find an open teammate. Otherwise, you run the risk of Bradley ripping it from you and getting an easy lay-in.
Boston Celtics
Very rarely can somebody dribble away from Bradley. Just ask Kyrie Irving. In Boston’s victory over the Cavaliers about two weeks ago, there was no amount of shaking and baking from Irving that could lose Bradley on those final few possessions. More often than not, it takes great, individual offense to score against Bradley.
This past Sunday against the Bulls, Bradley suffocated Wade. At 35, Wade isn’t the scorer he used to be, but he’s still a guy averaging over 18 points per game this season. Bradley kept him in check all afternoon, as Wade scored less than 10 points for just the fourth time this season.
While people like to emphasize Bradley’s defensive impact, his impact offensively often goes overlooked. Primarily a slasher in his first few seasons, Bradley’s shooting — and overall scoring ability — has improved with each season. He’s on his way to another career year, currently averaging 16.9 points per game and shooting better than 41 percent from three. Both of those marks would be career bests if they hold up.
Bradley is Boston’s second-leading scorer, and can score in a variety of ways. Behind Isaiah Thomas, he is also Boston’s second-best three-point shooter. Boston’s offense may not “suffer” as the defense does without Bradley, as they are a top-10 scoring offense with or without him. However, he adds another element to Boston’s attack.
He can spot up in the corner and knock down the three. He can knock down jumpers running off screens. He’ll cut to the basket without the ball, but Bradley’s also getting more aggressive and putting the ball on the floor and attacking the basket. After Thomas, Bradley is probably Boston’s most well-rounded offensive player.
People love to point out the fact that the Celtics have failed to win a playoff series under Brad Stevens. Many view last year’s loss to the Hawks as some colossal failure. However, many seem to dismiss the idea that the absence of Bradley had a major impact on the way that series played out.
Obviously, Bradley’s defense was missed. You can’t replace what he brings defensively, but guys like Marcus Smart and Jae Crowder turned up the defensive intensity to help fill the gap. However, Bradley’s absence was felt more on the offensive end of the court.
Boston averaged 87 points per game in their four postseason losses. They posted point totals of 101, 72, 83 and 92. The 101 points came in game one, where Bradley played over 30 minutes. He had chipped in 18 points before exiting halfway through the fourth quarter.
Bradley’s absence allowed the Hawks to suffocate Thomas, and force other Celtics to make shots. While Atlanta’s game plan likely wouldn’t have changed with Bradley out there, he would have given Boston another reliable scoring option. In the two trips Boston made to Atlanta in the regular season, Bradley scored 25 in one game, and 15 in the other.
Next: Amir Johnson Stepping Up Defensively
Would the ultimate outcome of the series have changed? It’s hard to say for sure. What I can say for sure is those games would have been a heck of a lot more competitive. Bradley has proven his value to Boston. If the team hopes to make a deep postseason run, they’ll need him on the floor.