Since deciding to opt out of participating in the restart of the 2019-20 NBA season, Los Angeles Lakers guard Avery Bradley has been “distant” according to teammate Danny Green.
However, the impact that Bradley has made on the team is still there.
Danny Green says Avery Bradley has been "distant" since he opted out of the season, but that the standard he set on defense has stayed with the team.
— Christian Rivas (@RadRivas) July 29, 2020
Here’s Green’s full quote on Bradley: pic.twitter.com/PeT12tg0SE
— Christian Rivas (@RadRivas) July 29, 2020
Bradley was signed by the Purple and Gold last July in order to beef up what looked at the time to be an anemic backcourt. He had proven to be the squad’s best perimeter defender.
After struggling with his shooting early, Bradley picked it up in that department, hitting 41.8 percent of his 3-pointers after the new year.
It may be relatively easy for the Lakers to replace his offense, but his ability to harass opposing guards defensively will be tougher to replace.
Still, there is plenty of hope for the team. When Bradley missed 13 games early in the season with a leg injury, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope filled in nicely and the Lakers won 12 of those games.
All told, L.A. is third in the NBA in defensive rating on the season, and it still possesses three great rim protectors in Anthony Davis, Javale McGee and Dwight Howard.
