Just as Avery Bradley ended
last season on the injured list, he will most likely begin the 2012-2013 on it
as well. Bradley is recovering form double shoulder surgery from injuries
he suffered in last year’s playoff run.
We all remember Bradley's tenacity
and seemingly invincible resolve each and every time his shoulder would pop
out. It was almost something out of a video game, he'd go down holding his
shoulder, go over to the legendary Celtics trainer, Eddie Lacerte, and pop the
shoulder right back in. Everyone would cringe, but Bradley was right back out
there. (If only Josh Beckett were watching....) Then his other shoulder
went.
The Celtics realized, Bradley's
bright future for the C's could possibly be compromised if he kept going
through this process and shut him down.
From all reports, there is an
unknown factor with Bradley's recovery time. When asked about it last week,
Bradley was vague on his timetable to return to the C's starting lineup.
He bluntly told CSNNE's A. Sherrod Blakely, "I don't know anything,
they just want me to get healthy. That's all they really tell me. They don't
really give me time frames."
Usually, when there is this much of
an unknown factor with injuries it means that the player isn't coming back
anytime soon.
Realistically, Bradley probably
won't be ready until December. So who will step up for the man, who is tasked
with replacing the greatest three-point shooter of all time?
Here are a few to watch for.
Rajon Rondo
Obviously Rondo will be fine with or
without Bradley on the offensive end. However, Bradley's biggest asset was his
relentless pressure he put on the opposing teams ball handler. His ability to
do so overshadowed Rondo's weakness of being an on ball perimeter defender.
Bradley's pressing allowed Rondo to
lurk in the passing lanes to cause havoc; intercept passes, and immediately
start the fast break.
Rondo, while Bradley is out, will
have to improve his on ball defense. He is always at his best when he has time
to read the pass, but has struggled in the past defending the guy bringing up
the ball.
Courtney Lee:
In Danny Ainge's most unlikely move
this off-season; Courtney Lee was acquired from the Houston Rockets. Lee is a
6-5 shooting guard that will be suited to step right in and start while the
Celtics are waiting for Bradley's return.
Offensively, he has the skills to
basically match the numbers that Bradley put up last year. He is athletic and
can run the floor. He shot 40% from three-point land last year and should be
open for those corner threes we were so used to Allen and Bradley knocking down
last year.
Courtney Lee
Lee will be the immediate
replacement but leaves question marks on the defensive end. He will be asked to
match up against the likes of D-Wade, Joe Johnson, and in some situations
smaller and faster point guard depending on the situation.
Bradley was a very versatile
defender, not that Lee is a liability but he will be asked to do more than he
ever has defensively here in Doc Rivers system.
Jason Terry
The Jet won't have to change his game much with Bradley being
out for a while. He is used to pressure situations and will most likely be the
one who is closing games over Lee in Bradley's absence.
This will be an interesting
situation to keep an eye on. If Jason Terry shows he still has his late game
heroics and impresses while Bradley is out, it would leave Doc Rivers with some
tough decisions when Bradley returns.
Who will he give those late game
minutes to? You cant have both Bradley and Terry on the floor to close the game
at the same time, due to they both have point guard bodies playing the
'2.'
I'm sure that this is a problem Doc
wouldn't mind having but could cause a little debate in January.
Hopefully Lee can be a solid defender, he does that the defense but don't be surprised if Green's defense puts him in end of the game situations. It could make Doc's decision even harder
ReplyDeletehe does have good size for our defense*
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