Avery Bradley preparing for role as starting point guard

Reports out of Celts training camp indicate Avery Bradley has spent the majority of his time focused on becoming a more effective point guard, as he prepares to fill-in for Rajon Rondo.

Rondo, the undisputed leader and most talented player on the under-construction Celtics roster, will be sidelined for the beginning of the season as he continues to rehabilitate from the torn ACL he suffered last season. The Celtics ran off a hot-streak immediately following his injury, but eventually the absence of Rondo and his on-court leadership caught up to them.

Without him, the Celtics struggled to identify a clear cut player to carry the torch at the point. Avery Bradley, known for his tenacious defense and high-energy, struggles at times on offense. He had a difficult time last season stepping into Rondo's role.

But this time around, Bradley is not being unexpectedly thrust into that role. He will have time to prepare extensively for it, and is doing so thus far at training camp. Bradley is entering his fourth season in the league, but this marks the first time he will be participating in training camp. He was prevented from doing so in the past because of injuries.

Avery is one of the more talented players on the Celtics and an elite perimeter defender in the NBA, which is becoming an increasingly offensively-focused league. He has proven himself as a defensive stalwart, but will need to play an even bigger role this season as the Celtics work to find an identity in a transitional year.

-LC