Home
Register
Log inGuard becomes Celtics go-to guy in the clutch
2 posters
Page 1 of 1
Guard becomes Celtics go-to guy in the clutch
by bobheckler Sun Jan 25, 2015 4:45 am
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics_nba/boston_celtics/2015/01/guard_becomes_celtics_go_to_guy_in_the_clutch
Guard becomes Celtics go-to guy in the clutch
Photo by: Matt West
Sunday, January 25, 2015 PrintEmailBe the first to comment
By: Steve Bulpett
SAN FRANCISCO — The Celtics woke up yesterday morning ranked 28th of 30 NBA teams who win when ahead or behind by five or fewer in the last five minutes of a game.
According to that NBA definition of clutch, the C’s are just 7-15 in such situations.
But on Thursday and Friday in Portland and Denver, respectively, the supposedly shrinking violets in green have come away with a pair of one-point victories.
So what gives? Are the Celtics finally drawing late-game lifeblood trickled down from Sam Jones, John Havlicek and Larry Bird — and Paul Pierce? Have they just learned to make shots when the evening grows more intense?
Avery Bradley said the answer may lie elsewhere.
The guard hit a pair of go-ahead treys down the stretch against the Nuggets and added another jumper that stretched the Celtics lead out to a whopping three points with 25 seconds left.
“I was able to make some shots because my teammates were able to get me open and we executed,” Bradley said.
“More importantly, I feel like we were able to get stops on the other end. We forced them to take some tough shots, and were able to convert on the other end. That’s big for us.”
But it’s hard to ignore the dichotomy in Bradley’s shooting numbers. He’s hitting a modest 43.6 percent from the floor for the season, but when the Celts are ahead or behind by five or fewer in the last five minutes, he’s hitting at a 57.1 percent clip.
And, breaking it down further, when his team is behind by five or fewer or tied in those last five minutes, Bradley is a 65 percent marksman.
“When he gets that rhythm step-in shot, he’s usually pretty good at it,” said coach Brad Stevens, whose club meets the Warriors across the bay in Oakland tonight. “He hit some big ones. So good for him to make those big plays.”
Bradley said of his last hoop in Denver, “I knew the shot was going to go in before I even shot it. I was that confident. I even slipped, and I was still able to make it. I knew it was going to go in.”
But he was more measured when asked later about becoming a clutch player.
“I wouldn’t say that, but I have confidence in myself, and my teammates have confidence in me,” Bradley said.
“I have confidence, because I put the work in. And I know that if I’m not making the shot, Evan (Turner) can make the shot, (Jared Sullinger) can make the shot — and that’s what kind of team we are. We all have to go out there and all believe that we can make the shot.”
Sure enough, it was Turner who hit the game-winner in Portland, a trey from the right corner with one second left.
Interestingly, that shot came after Bradley had lost the ball off his leg on a fast break. And Friday’s win came despite Turner missing two free throws with 14 seconds left.
So the concept of picking one another up is in force with the Celts.
And Bradley is clearly growing into his late-game role. He’s been spacing the floor and finding open looks — and even some guarded ones.
Bradley has even come to seek out his opportunities in these situations, a fair change from a few years ago when he passed up shots.
“I mean, it’s two different teams,” Bradley said, comparing the present Celtics rebuilding squad to the Pierce-Garnett-Allen group. “My role is different. My role is a little different on this team. I know that I have to be an energy guy, just like I was then, but I just have that confidence in myself that every shot’s going to go in.”
bob
MY NOTE: No Rondo, no Green, no all-star to defer to, no player on the team longer than him. He has grown up and is growing into a veteran with a veteran's mentality. Nice to see.
.
Guard becomes Celtics go-to guy in the clutch
Photo by: Matt West
Sunday, January 25, 2015 PrintEmailBe the first to comment
By: Steve Bulpett
SAN FRANCISCO — The Celtics woke up yesterday morning ranked 28th of 30 NBA teams who win when ahead or behind by five or fewer in the last five minutes of a game.
According to that NBA definition of clutch, the C’s are just 7-15 in such situations.
But on Thursday and Friday in Portland and Denver, respectively, the supposedly shrinking violets in green have come away with a pair of one-point victories.
So what gives? Are the Celtics finally drawing late-game lifeblood trickled down from Sam Jones, John Havlicek and Larry Bird — and Paul Pierce? Have they just learned to make shots when the evening grows more intense?
Avery Bradley said the answer may lie elsewhere.
The guard hit a pair of go-ahead treys down the stretch against the Nuggets and added another jumper that stretched the Celtics lead out to a whopping three points with 25 seconds left.
“I was able to make some shots because my teammates were able to get me open and we executed,” Bradley said.
“More importantly, I feel like we were able to get stops on the other end. We forced them to take some tough shots, and were able to convert on the other end. That’s big for us.”
But it’s hard to ignore the dichotomy in Bradley’s shooting numbers. He’s hitting a modest 43.6 percent from the floor for the season, but when the Celts are ahead or behind by five or fewer in the last five minutes, he’s hitting at a 57.1 percent clip.
And, breaking it down further, when his team is behind by five or fewer or tied in those last five minutes, Bradley is a 65 percent marksman.
“When he gets that rhythm step-in shot, he’s usually pretty good at it,” said coach Brad Stevens, whose club meets the Warriors across the bay in Oakland tonight. “He hit some big ones. So good for him to make those big plays.”
Bradley said of his last hoop in Denver, “I knew the shot was going to go in before I even shot it. I was that confident. I even slipped, and I was still able to make it. I knew it was going to go in.”
But he was more measured when asked later about becoming a clutch player.
“I wouldn’t say that, but I have confidence in myself, and my teammates have confidence in me,” Bradley said.
“I have confidence, because I put the work in. And I know that if I’m not making the shot, Evan (Turner) can make the shot, (Jared Sullinger) can make the shot — and that’s what kind of team we are. We all have to go out there and all believe that we can make the shot.”
Sure enough, it was Turner who hit the game-winner in Portland, a trey from the right corner with one second left.
Interestingly, that shot came after Bradley had lost the ball off his leg on a fast break. And Friday’s win came despite Turner missing two free throws with 14 seconds left.
So the concept of picking one another up is in force with the Celts.
And Bradley is clearly growing into his late-game role. He’s been spacing the floor and finding open looks — and even some guarded ones.
Bradley has even come to seek out his opportunities in these situations, a fair change from a few years ago when he passed up shots.
“I mean, it’s two different teams,” Bradley said, comparing the present Celtics rebuilding squad to the Pierce-Garnett-Allen group. “My role is different. My role is a little different on this team. I know that I have to be an energy guy, just like I was then, but I just have that confidence in myself that every shot’s going to go in.”
bob
MY NOTE: No Rondo, no Green, no all-star to defer to, no player on the team longer than him. He has grown up and is growing into a veteran with a veteran's mentality. Nice to see.
.
bobheckler- Posts : 62543
Join date : 2009-10-28
Re: Guard becomes Celtics go-to guy in the clutch
by Sam Sun Jan 25, 2015 3:42 pm
Bob,
Just how did you mean "no player on the team longer than him?" He's one of the shortest guys on the team. Only kidding; I knew you were talking about tenure.
Regardless of whether one is a Bradley fan or whether he will stick with the Celtics, sho would have believed this defensive non-shooter of five years ago would qualify as a "go to" offensive player for this Celtics team? Especially when his injury history is considered, this is a story of perseverance to be sure.
Sam
Just how did you mean "no player on the team longer than him?" He's one of the shortest guys on the team. Only kidding; I knew you were talking about tenure.
Regardless of whether one is a Bradley fan or whether he will stick with the Celtics, sho would have believed this defensive non-shooter of five years ago would qualify as a "go to" offensive player for this Celtics team? Especially when his injury history is considered, this is a story of perseverance to be sure.
Sam
Sam- Admin
- Posts : 22663
Join date : 2009-10-10 -
Similar topics» Stevens Cool in the Clutch, So are the Celtics
» Close For Comfort: Celtics Thrive In The Clutch
» POLL: Which Celtics do you Prefer to be on the Floor at Clutch Time? (Vote for 5 and only 5.)
» Call him Clutch Crowder: The Celtics' new late-game weapon
» Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics star, named 'Most Clutch' in 2016-17 by NBPA awards
» Close For Comfort: Celtics Thrive In The Clutch
» POLL: Which Celtics do you Prefer to be on the Floor at Clutch Time? (Vote for 5 and only 5.)
» Call him Clutch Crowder: The Celtics' new late-game weapon
» Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics star, named 'Most Clutch' in 2016-17 by NBPA awards
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum