The LA Clippers are 4-6 in their last 10 games, but aAvery Bradley has provided a spark after receiving a lot of criticism.
I’ll be the first to admit that a couple of weeks ago, I was all on board the Avery Bradley train. In fact, I made sure to mention it any time I could. We even ran a piece that was flat out titled “It’s Time For the Clippers to Stop Playing Avery Bradley“. Doc Rivers called the LA Clippers guard “un-statable” and myself nor many others were unable to figure out just what the coaching staff saw in him.
But you know what?
Bradley has been pretty solid over the last ten games for the team and may have turned a corner. Let’s give praise where praise is due.
Over the previous ten games, he is putting up 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists. While those aren’t eye popping numbers, the real amazing part is his shooting from three-point range. From deep, Bradley has converted on 46.23% of his shots. Compared to what he’s shooting as a whole this season (32.6%), both coaches and fans have to be ecstatic.
His player impact estimate, which measures a player’s overall statistical contribution against the total statistics in games they play in, has also gone up from a season average of 3.0 to 4.17 over the last ten games.
Defensively, he has also played very well. Outside of the loss to Golden State, he has had his fouls under control. Despite fouling less, he has been more aggressive and aware. Perhaps this is what Doc meant when he called Bradley “un-statable”.
The Clippers will need this type of play to continue out of Bradley, specifically the shooting from deep. With Danilo Gallinari still out with an injured back, the three ball will be hard to come by. Doc has employed a three guard lineup to start the past two games with Avery effectively being the small forward. The lineup has worked (The loss in Dallas looked good, the team just couldn’t hit open shots) and should continue to over the next stretch of games.
So Clippers fans, let’s give it up for AB. He deserves it as he has remained the perfect professional all season despite our chirping.