New Detroit Pistons shooting guard Avery Bradley might have missed the cut in last season's NBA All-Defense teams, but that didn't lessen the respect players have for him when it comes to that department.
A lot of his fellow NBA players have already voiced their opinion about his snub. Phoenix Suns Devin Booker said last June that Bradley deserved a nod to the All-Defense teams, while the Portland Trail Blazers' duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum can't believe he wasn't voted in any of the 10 spots.
Now, heading into the new campaign, Charlotte Hornets star Kemba Walker also chimed in and acknowledged the 26-year-old's defensive acumen.
“That’s ridiculous. He’s probably, if not the best, one of the best on-ball defenders in our league,” Walker said when asked about the Bradley snub, per Vince Ellis of Detroit Free Press.
“He’s one of those guys where, ‘Damn, you got to play against him tonight?’ He’s like the perfect defender. When you teach defense, he’s the guy that would like to learn from.”
“He knows the coverages, he knows the plays. His body position. He’s just a great on-ball defender. He’s hungry and a lot of defense is about pride and wanting to do it. He’s that guy. He wants to play defense, he loves to play defense. He’s really good at it.”
The former Texas Longhorns standout has always been known as a defensive wizard—having been named to the 2016 All-Defense team as the top vote-getter among guards—so the recognition about his ability isn't without basis. It's clear, however, that Kemba Walker holds Avery Bradley in a high regard with his latest remarks.
Kemba Walker will have a chance to experience Avery Bradley's defense in the season opener matchup between the Hornets and Pistons. Though, here's to hoping the All-Star point guard won't be worried being guarded by the man he describes as the “perfect defender.”
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