AVERY TO D LEAGUE

by **112288** Thu Jan 13, 2011 8:00 pm

Celtics sending Avery Bradley to Maine Red Claws

January 13, 2011, 3:20 pm
By A. Sherrod Blakely

CSNNE.com

WALTHAM — Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said the C's top draft pick last June, Avery Bradley, will be sent to the team's D-League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws as early as Friday.

"So he can get some reps, playing basketball," Rivers said. "He needs to play basketball. Especially in the stretch where we didn't practice at all."

Drafted with the 19th overall pick out of the University of Texas, offseason ankle surgery made it difficult for Bradley to establish a spot in the Celtics rotation.

Although the Celtics have been hit with injuries throughout the season in the frontcourt as well as on the perimeter, it never translated into meaningful minutes for the 19-year-old rookie as he continues to adjust to playing the point guard position.

He has appeared in 14 games for the C's, averaging 1.1 points in 4.7 minutes.

Without Bradley, the C's perimeter depth on the bench now consists of Nate Robinson, Von Wafer and Marquis Daniels who can play both guard positions as well as both forward spots, when called upon.

Rivers said Bradley being assigned to the D-League is in no way connected to the return of Delonte West, as Rivers added Bradley's D-League assignment would come well before West's return to the active roster from a broken right (non-shooting) wrist injury.

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