WASHINGTON -- When you talk about the legacy (besides the 2008 banner) of the Celtics' most recent Big Three -- Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen -- you have to include Avery Bradley in the conversation.
He’ll be the first to tell you he learned a lot from all of them, as well as Rajon Rondo. who remains a close friend.
And it wasn’t always what they said (although getting cussed out by Kevin Garnett for missing a lay-up in practice is something you don’t forget about), but what they consistently did.
Pierce taught the value of seeing the moment, being in the moment, and not blinking when it comes. Garnett’s intensity is only matched by his ability to elevate the play of those around him. And then there’s Allen, whose work ethic is the foundation of a player who will be remembered as one of the great clutch shooters in the NBA.
All those qualities, in some form, make up parts of Bradley’s game, most of which were on display during Boston’s 123-101 Game 5 win when he scored a career playoff-high 29 points (also the most points he has scored at TD Garden).
“I knew that I haven’t been playing to my ability on the offensive end the last two games,” Bradley said following the Game 5 win. “And for this team, I wanted to bring my all. I wanted to take open shots that were there and make plays for guys and that is what I tried to do tonight.”
Added Isaiah Thomas: “He played like he was supposed to. We needed him to play that way. He put his injuries aside (right and left hip pointer injuries in this series) and laced his shoes up and played. He was the key to this game. At both ends of the floor, offensively, defensively, he did it all. In Game 6, we’re going to need him.”
Boston Celtics
Especially with him growing into more of a leader whose tough-minded brand of basketball is embraced and respected by all.