The Boston Celtics’ desire to dethrone the Cleveland Cavaliers have led them to a roster that is very different from the one that Beantown fans have cheered for over the past few years.
Boston wasn’t supposed to ascend to the Eastern Conference elite ranks that quickly. But thanks to the revelations that were Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, and Avery Bradley, the team reached the conference’s top seed last regular season.
Before Celtics fans were shocked by the news of Thomas and Crowder’s trade to the Cavs, it was Avery Bradley whom the C’s had to deal away — much to the chagrin of many die-hard supporters. Bradley started from scratch in Boston; his was a classic story of how hard work transformed an unheralded reserve into one of the better players at his position.
His trade to the Detroit Pistons wasn’t something that nobody thought wouldn’t happen. The Celtics were loading up, his contract was expiring, and management knew that he deserves a hefty payday. However, it won’t come from Boston.
In speaking with Bleacher Report’s Gerald Narciso, Avery Bradley recalled how he learned about his move to Detroit.
“I actually think it was a text from my wife. I was actually on the plane going to my friend's wedding. I had like an hour left in my flight and I'm like, ‘Let me check my phone and make sure my wife and family are OK.' Because I had an early flight, I left at like 5 a.m. from Austin[, Texas], and I turned it on and my phone went crazy. So, I'm like, ‘Ah man.' I knew exactly what was going on.”
“I just read one text like ‘Are you happy?' or something like that, and I can't remember who it was from. So, I instantly Googled my name and it said Detroit. So, by the time I landed, I called Stan [Van Gundy, Pistons head coach], and you still feel nervous a little bit. But instantly I still, it was almost like, I was happy. I felt like I was getting more of an opportunity instantly. I was like ‘I'm going to a new situation' that I felt was going to be great for me and give me a chance to show other parts of my game.”
Last season was a career year for Avery Bradley, but he is still expected to make an even bigger leap in the 2017-18 campaign. Even without playing a game, the Pistons’ top backcourt tag is already placed unto him. Reggie Jackson is coming of a dismal year and his health remains a big question mark entering training camp.
Bradley will also find extra motivation financially. He will become an unrestricted free agent next summer, and it will be his first chance at securing a megabuck deal — something which the Pistons won’t have any problem with as long as he proves himself worthy.
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