DOC: BRADLEY STILL DOING 'NOTHING' IN PRACTICE

IS THIS DOC'S IDEA OF A HEAD FAKE .........AND KEEPING HIM OUT OF THE TRADE RUMORS?

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WEEI
By: Mike Petraglia

WALTHAM -- As if to caution everyone expecting a quick and drastic turnaround based on the return of one player, Doc Rivers said Tuesday that Avery Bradley has still not been able to take part in signficant activity with the Celtics during their practices. Bradley has been seen before home games shooting around and working with conditioning coach Bryan Doo. He has even been listed officially active as NBA teams are required to have 12 active players on their rosters.

But Rivers said nothing more should be read into that. The Celtics coach said Tuesday that Bradley - who was initially expected to return in January - is still some time away from returning to even full practice.

"Nothing," Rivers said when asked if he's been able to participate. "Honestly, he's not been in anything. We are doing some things before shootarounds every once in a while where we just run our plays so he can have an idea. But if I've learned anything, it doesn't matter how much you do skeleton offense, when you put the defense on, if you haven't played, the game goes too quick and you can't remember anything. It's going to take time, even when he comes back. It's just going to take time."

After attempting to play with a banged up left shoulder in the playoffs, Bradley had to have surgery during the playoffs. The right shoulder was so sore from overcompensation, that he had to have surgery on it during the summer and that is the surgery he is still rehabbing. Bradley, when he returns, will become the best on-ball defender on the team.

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