Avery Bradley wasn't at Walt Disney World to celebrate the Los Angeles Lakers' 2020 championship over the Miami Heat, but he was going crazy at his house back in Texas.
Bradley, who opted out of the bubble games so he could be with his son Liam–who has a history of respiratory illnesses–has no regrets about not playing and is very happy the Lakers were able to win the title in six games without him.
“Everyone was going crazy,” Avery Bradley said over the phone on Sunday night, via ESPN. “Everyone was excited. My wife was excited. I think it is something that is hard, obviously, not being there. But I think from the beginning I've been able to be at peace.
“He (Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka) was just letting me know I am a part of it. It has been a long season — and an amazing one. And we've been through a lot. It was just an amazing win. You could see it on his face.”
The Lakers missed Bradley's defensive impact in the Finals, particularly on Heat star small forward Jimmy Butler.
However, the Lakers were still able to accomplish their goal and be recognized as the best club in the NBA in 2019-20.
Bradly appeared in 49 games for the Lakers before the season was suspended in March due to COVID-19. The rugged defender averaged 8.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line.
Bradley has a player option worth $5,005,350 for next season. He will likely pick it up.
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