Celtics Title Town

Ainge looks to be active with draft picks

Sat, 18 May 2013 09:15:00 +0000

Boston Hearld
The Celtics have just one pick in the June 27 draft, No. 16 overall. That may, of course, not still be the case when the night arrives.
“We’re always having discussions about moving up and moving down and moving out,” said Ainge. “That’s just like every other year. But I don’t know what the chances are of that happening.”
He feels confident the Celts will have choices to make regarding deals involving picks.
“Sure, I think I will have chances,” Ainge said. “It’s always about what price you’ve got to pay to do that — and what are you going to get for that, of course. But there will probably be a lot of discussion, because this draft isn’t as star-studded as some other drafts.
“I think there are good players. There’s just not franchise changers. I’m just hoping we can find a good player.”
And considering the Celtics’ situation, they will not limit themselves when it comes to the type of players on the board when it’s their turn.
“We’re not looking for any one position,” said Ainge. “We’re looking at all the positions. We won’t draft for position. Our draft pick won’t reflect our needs. Our draft pick will reflect who we think is the best talent available.”

Danny did the right thing last year when he picked the best player available at the 21st pick. Sometimes Danny feels a need with the roster,and that can be the wrong approach. I think you need to pick the best player left. Danny filled both roles last season. He picked the best player, and filled a need. The Celtics needed bigs and Sully was that big. Melo the other big drafted last year hasn't panned out yet. He's a work in progress. Ainge is known for his big splash on draft night in 2007 when he traded Jeff Green and Delonte West for Ray Allen and Big Baby.

Danny has a history on draft night. All of us will be watching on draft night to see what happens.

Celtics Morning Joe: The NBA big wigs split on Celtics present and future

Sat, 18 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

What do the NBA executives think about the state of the Celtics?

Boston Hearld

The brightest forecast came from a veteran executive, who put the club in context with most of its Eastern Conference competition.
“Look, they didn’t have a great playoffs when you look overall. They played really well in stretches against New York, but they just couldn’t sustain it,” he said. “Now take that team you saw in that last game and add an All-Star point guard (Rondo) to it. Now add a kid like (Jared) Sullinger, who as a rookie — a rookie — gave them an inside (element) that they really missed when he got hurt.
“That’s not a bad team. They still don’t get past Miami, but I don’t think anyone (is) doing that. But they wouldn’t have been the seventh seed, and maybe they even get to the conference finals again. Then who knows? You get an injury to another team like the ones they had, and all of a sudden you’re deep into the playoffs.
“Now, I’m not saying this is highly likely going into next year, because, you know, even if the old guys (Pierce and Garnett) come back, they’re even older, and that makes it harder to count on anything with them.”
Another general manager painted a darker picture.
“It’s just so hard to get things done these days with the new rules,” he said. “The tax has become really punitive, and it’s become a real drag on everything. The bigger market teams still have an advantage, but it’s getting closer and closer to parity. That’s what the league said it wanted, but it makes it harder to make moves.
“I’m really not sure what the Celtics will be able to do. Players get older, and that makes it harder to trade them. It’s hard to get another team to give you an asset of any value when they’re getting someone who will only be playing another year or two. Not many teams want to go that way, because it means they’d have to win right now to make the trade worthwhile — and that’s hard to do under any circumstances.
“Everyone knows KG and Pierce can still play, but if you’re another team, what can you really give up for them? Another coach may want to make that deal, but the GM and the owner probably won’t.”

I don't think the Celtics are in deep trouble. I think with Rondo they will be a playoff team regardless of Pierce and KG. I think Rondo has enough guys to get into the playoffs. The question is if the Celtics can become contenders this season, or will they have to wait until they have some extra cap space. The new labor rules will hurt everyone, and I disagree that the new rules hurt the Celtics overall. They have Rondo on a cheap contract, and they have Pierce coming off the books in a year from now, or in a couple of months. The Celtics also have young up and coming guys like Green, Bradley, and Sully.

The NBA is changing. Teams are not built around Big Threes anymore despite Miami. Look at the Grizzlies, Pacers, and Spurs. The Spurs Big Three are not superstar guys anymore. Duncan is great, and so is Manu, but those guys are past their primes, and they play within the team concept that has extended and help their careers.

The Celtics need to look at the new NBA, and it helps that they have Rondo. Those three teams are deep without mega stars,and they are strong inside. Can the Celtics become that team over night with the right moves. They need to bigs and tough character guys to play with. I don't think the C's need to get out here and get the big blockbuster. Danny needs to look at what the Grizzlies have done, and the Pacers.

KG won't need surgery

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:20:00 +0000

Boston Hearld
President of basketball operations Danny Ainge reports that Garnett will not go under the knife to deal with bone spurs and other issues.
“I think there was some question whether he was going to have surgery on his foot,” said Ainge. “but the last I heard, which was a few days ago, is that he won’t need surgery.”

Good news for the big man.

Free Agent Target: Jarrett Jack

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Jarrett Jack can kill two birds with one stone for the Celtics. They need a backup point guard, and with Jack they get that, plus a guy who can score or play like a shooting guard. To me Jack is like JR Smith from the Knicks but with more character,and with more to offer. Smith is one dimensional,and Jack can offer you more. Jack made $5,580,000 in 2012-13, and the question is how can they bring in Jack, and would he want to leave Golden State?

The Numbers

STATS

	GP	MPG	FGM-FGA	FG%	3PM-3PA	3P%	FTM-FTA	FT%	RPG	APG	BLKPG	STLPG	PFPG	TOPG	PPG
2012-13 Regular Season	79	29.7	4.9-10.8	.452	1.0-2.6	.404	2.1-2.5	.843	3.1	5.6	0.1	0.8	1.7	2.0	12.9
2012-13 Postseason	11	35.8	6.5-12.9	.507	0.6-2.1	.304	3.6-4.1	.889	4.6	5.0	0.4	0.8	2.2	3.5	17.4
Career	611	27.9	3.9-8.8	.448	0.8-2.1	.358	2.4-2.9	.852	2.8	4.4	0.1	0.8	1.8	1.9	11.0

Jack has been the perfect guy off the bench in this years playoffs. The Celtics can perhaps workout a sign and trade if Jack wasnts to make the same amount next season. The Celtics could also use their mid-level exception. The Celtics needed scoring this season, and especially off the bench. The Celtics depth was a glaring weakness in this years playoffs. I wouldn't see the Warriors trading Jack. Unless he was hell bent on not returning to the Warriors, which he probably wants to return. The Warriors may not want to pay him. Their payroll will increase to 74 million in 2014, but they also have Jefferson,and Biedrins on player options.

I don't know if it's possible, but I think Jack would be big for the Celtics, and they need what he brings. He can play point, and he can play shooting guard. Plus has an actual guy who can score off the bench. Jack would be an upgrade over someone like Lee.

Celtics Morning Joe: Pierce's family preparing for move

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

BOSTON GLOBE
"The Celtics have to decide by June 30 whether to buy out Pierce’s contract at $5 million. Ainge said the sides have not had discussions, but an NBA source said Pierce’s family is already beginning to prepare for relocation from Boston, assuming that the Celtics will execute the buyout or trade his expiring contract in the offseason."

The draft is before the June 30th deadline. That's usually the first day of trades after the NBA season. The Celtics traded for Ray Allen on draft day, and that's the C's best chance of dealing Pierce if they intend to. Otherwise will have to wait until the June 30th deadline. I still want Pierce,and I don't see the point in buying him out. Since he has one year left, and I don't see the Celtics getting anyone with significances that could help the C's from a trade.

Pierce struggled mightily during the playoffs, and Ainge was asked whether the longtime Celtic was injured.

“Paul’s always battling little things,” said Ainge. “I think Paul’s healthy, but he played so hard and carried such a heavy load.

“Paul had a terrific year this year, but in the playoffs, New York did a good job of taking away his strengths and taking advantage of some of our weaknesses. But I thought Paul had a terrific year.”

As for Garnett, he has two years left on his contract but is considering retirement. He turns 37 Sunday.

“I don’t think I have the answers that Kevin will want,” Ainge said. “So I’ve got to figure there’s a lot to do [before we talk], and I think there’s a lot of questions in Kevin’s mind, as there is every year, to determine whether he’s coming back.

“I’m not ready to answer everything that he will want to know.”

Pierce was burned out because he had to carry the load. That should teach him ,and the Celtics a lesson next season. Pierce should want to step back from his past role. Adapting his game is the only way for team success next year. What the hell does KG want to know? First question out of KG's mouth to Ainge is probably "is Paul coming back"?

With Ainge saying that. I feel like he intends on doing something with Pierce. That's go to be one of KG's first questions to Ainge, if not the only question. What do you guys make of Danny's comments about KG? Does that indicate Pierce's career in Boston?

Best of KG: 2008 Defensive Player of the Year

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:45:00 +0000

KG was robbed of the MVP award, but this was just fine. He changed the culture in Boston with defense.

NBA.COM

Garnett helped the Celtics to league-best records of 66-16 (.805) overall and 31-10 (.738) on the road. Boston held opponents to just 90.3 points (second in the NBA) after allowing 99.2 points per game a season ago. Garnett led the Celtics to the biggest one-year turnaround in NBA history as the team won 42 more games this season than in 2006-07 (24-58), surpassing the previous record of 36 games, set by the San Antonio Spurs in the 1997-98 season.
The 12-year NBA veteran became the 32nd player in league history to record 20,000 career points on March 8 against Memphis. Garnett is only the fourth active player to reach this milestone, joining Phoenix’s Shaquille O’Neal (26,296), Denver’s Allen Iverson (22,988) and Kobe Bryant (21,619) of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Garnett received 493 points, including 90 first-place votes, from a panel of 124 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Denver’s Marcus Camby, who won the award last season, finished second with 178 points and Houston’s Shane Battier finished third with 175 points. Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote received.

The 2007-08 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award presented by Kia Motors is part of a series of on-court performance awards called “The NBA Performance Awards Presented by Kia Motors.” The awards, which are part of a multi-year marketing partnership between Kia Motors America and the NBA, also include the Most Valuable Player, Sixth Man Award, and Most Improved Player. The series also includes the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month presented by Kia Motors. For more information on the “The NBA Performance Awards Presented by Kia Motors”

Some of KG's top defensive plays from 2007-08.

Doc will return for another season

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:15:00 +0000

Doc is back, and now it's time to get down to business. With another season as Celtics coach Doc will have some challenges. Either hill be without Pierce,or both Pierce and KG. Even with both players potentially back, he'll have many challenges ahead. Rondo and Sully will be back, and that will be a big boost obviously. But the challenge for Doc is if he has the right players to win a title. The answer is yes,and no. Rondo can lead a team to a title. But the team must be built to win with him, and they must be built to beat teams like Miami and Indiana.

gary washburn @GwashNBAGlobe

Danny Ainge confirms that Doc Rivers is returning next season as #celtics coach. "We've got a coach everybody would love to have."

Rondo answers the call

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:15:00 +0000

A leader is needed to guide us in many ways through the storms of life. We sometimes need a guide to help navigate through the flooded roads that we must drive on. We don't need someone hasty or impetuous through trying days. Rondo has a relentless force that drives on and on within. If he can pass that on to others, that's a leader indeed. Rondo is an inspiring and thoughtful person in many ways, but it goes unnoticed in my opinion.

CSNNE
Sullinger has also developed a special relationship with Rajon Rondo during his rehab. Like Sullinger, Rondo also underwent season-ending surgery in Feburary to repair an ACL tear in his right knee.

"This is my first surgery and he went through his first surgery," said Sullinger. "We both say, 'Let's get back. Let's get back as healthy as we can.' It helps me a lot. At the same time, it's kind of sad. It's something you don't want to have in common, especially with someone like Rondo with the way his season was going."

The time has almost arrived. The leadership role is Rondo's next obstacle besides the recovery of his season ending injury. Rondo's leadership has to get better like Rondo's jumper. Rondo's jumper has improved, and that's the kind of attention that needs to be utilized in Rondo's process of leader.

Moral, ethical that's Rondo in my view. Some strong traits from leaders. Wisdom may not be his friend now, but he's coming along. Staying away from technical fouls is something that Rondo needs to watch. Rondo has shown that he can adapt and adjust while observing, and absorbing anything that comes his way.

Celtics Morning Joe: Sully ready to except challenge

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Anyone can achieve their fullest potential. Who we are and who we become might be predetermined, the path we follow is always of our own choices, we should never allow our fears and doubt or the expectations of others pave the way for our destiny. We can't be unrealistic with Jared Sullinger's career path in Boston. He's very talented, and he out shined a guy like Bass in his rookie season. I believe he's a player that will exceed expectations. In the meantime Sully is focused on recovery.

CSNNE
"I've watched 'The Lion King' four times (since surgery)," said Sullinger. "Rafiki the monkey makes me laugh. It was a family movie when I was growing up. I like it because it teaches you you can always overcome. I'm like Simba."

This story has been out for two days or so. But it tells me a lot about Sully. Its how we react and confront the challenges that we face in life, that will determine how much of our potential is achieved.Sullinger seems like he takes advice pretty well from the veterans on the Celtics. He seems to get it, and listening is part of growing, and that goes for the game of basketball as well.

The rookie continued his mentorship with Kevin Garnett, who quickly took him under his wing as a student of the game during training camp.

"He still helps me out," said Sullinger. "We're constantly talking. Defensively, offensively, he keeps me in tune what the team has, what we need to do, what we don't need to do."

Kevin is the best guy to follow, and that's a start, and thank you Kevin for not turning the other way. The Celtics missed out on Sully late into the season, and things may have turned out different with him in the lineup during the playoffs. The Celtics lacked toughness inside, and a guy who can post. I see a lot of David West in Sully. They both can rebound pretty well, and they can score inside and outside.

Deep within the human recesses lies potential like a vast sea untapped. Waiting in silent readiness is Jared. He's ready to release his power in the season of opportunity.I think when you think of Pierce, and KG's era ending. I think having them here one more season to teach guys like Sully will pay off later, if it doesn't pay off right away. Sully has a great deal of potential, and I hope will see an All-Star blossom before our eyes.

Celtics Game of The Night: 1976 NBA Finals - Phoenix Suns @ Boston Celtics - Game 5

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:30:00 +0000

I watched this entire game the other night. It reminded me of how good Cowens was. Wish I was around when he played the game, but glad I'm able to see old games.

Celtics Legends Series: Russell sits down with Webber

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:45:00 +0000

Best of Rondo: Rajon Rondo's Triple Double Game 2 NBA Finals 2010

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:30:00 +0000

This was a big game, and Rondo along with Allen put the Celtics on their backs. Rondo recorded the first triple-double since 2003 in a NBA Finals game. That was his postseason. To bad it was without a championship.

Celtics Morning Joe: Going through the motions

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:05:00 +0000

Possibilities are debated. With no end in sight. For the first time in a long time. The Celtics suffered their earliest playoff exit. The first round exit was the first of it's kind in KG's time in Boston. So with the basketball world still going round, were stuck thinking, and debating until no end. I couldn't bare having another Morning Joe around Paul Pierce, or KG's potential exits. Not this morning at least. I want to step outside of that for at least a day or so. With that said. I will report the news, if it's actual news. These days rumors seem to be news, so I'll give you guys that. But I couldn't muster another post this morning about Pierce, or KG. Will wait and see, and that's all we can do with basketball still being played for the next month.

In the meantime I came across this article on another Celtics blog that goes unnoticed, or at least I haven't seen it until a few days ago. Here's some of the article below with the link.

DarkoIndex.com- If They Were Musicians: Boston Celtics as Musical Legends

Former Celtic Greats:

Bob Cousy is John Coltrane. Each listening to the beat of their own drummers from day one. They both saw things nobody else could imagine and both permanently altered the way their games were played because of their magical thinking.

Bill Russell is half-Miles Davis, half-Thelonius Monk. In the way that both improvisational titans never needed a single lyric to get their message across, Russell could beat you without taking a shot. Troubled geniuses ahead of their times.

Sam Jones is Otis Redding. One of the greatest clutch shooters in NBA history and one of the best voices in music history. Clutch scorers have soul, there can be no doubt.

John Havlicek is Dave Brubeck. Soft-spoken brilliance. Blue Rondo a la Turk goes to Hondo.

Jo Jo White is Maceo Parker. Hidden underneath James Brown’s funk, was Jo-Jo’s sweet jumper.

Dave Cowens is George Harrison. Hard-working behind the scenes. George would dive on the floor to keep John and Paul together.

Nice Paul! Cowens happens to be noticed as my favorite musician of all-time. What do you think of the comparison? You can checkout the rest of the current Celtics,and others on the link.

Could Wade's injury open the field for another team to win?

Wed, 15 May 2013 06:25:00 +0000

This NBA season hasn't been to kind for a lot of fans. Boston fans as one of them. The Bulls without Rose, the Thunder without Westbrook, and of course Rondo out. That's three potential teams that could have competed against the Heat. The Heat have been given a chance to win back-to-back titles. With the Heat's dirtiest player banged up. It looks like the knee won't get any better anytime soon. He'll have to play through the pain, and will he be able to help James in their quest? Is James just that good for Wade not to matter at the end of the day.

ESPN
Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade received extensive treatment Tuesday on his bruised right knee and is considered questionable for Game 5 against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Wade will be evaluated by the team's medical staff after treatment throughout Tuesday and Wednesday before his playing status is determined.

Wade collided knees with Bulls forward Jimmy Butler in the second quarter of Monday's 88-65 victory, which gave the Heat a 3-1 series lead and put them in position to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

If Wade isn't right against Indiana. Then the Heat could be in danger. The Pacers have played the Heat well in the past two seasons. Dating back to last season when the Pacers jumped out 2-1 in last season second round series. The Pacers are going to beat the Heat up. With Wade hobbled a bit. Can he play effectively against a tough and physical Pacers team? The Pacers are a team custom built to beat Miami. They can do it, but it will take a total effort. The Heat do have some insurance with Allen there this season. Will see how this plays out in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Celtics Game of The Night: 1985-86 - EC1R - Game 2 - Chicago Bulls @ Boston Celtics

Wed, 15 May 2013 05:40:00 +0000

Report: Pierce has played his last game as a Celtic

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:10:00 +0000

Here it is guys, the latest. This reminds me of last years Ray Allen departure. Reports surfaced months before it actually happened. Ray was still playing with the Celtics when the reports came out. What do you make of this guys? Is this the end, of Pierce,and KG for that matter.This was the topic this morning, but as we enter the afternoon the story heads into a different direction.

Yahoo!

"I don't think they will (bring Pierce back)," Dickerson said Sunday on CSNNE. "And I know that the company that Paul Pierce hangs around in, they do not believe – and I don't think Paul Pierce believes – that he is going to be brought back next year at $15 million.
"I know for a fact that people around Paul Pierce have pretty much resigned themselves to the fact that he's played his final game in a Boston Celtics uniform. Again, Paul wants to stay – obviously for $15 million, but he wants to finish his career in a Celtics uniform."

"If Paul's gone, I think without a doubt Kevin Garnett is gone – either by retirement or he finally decides to waive his no-trade clause, and the Celtics maybe work something out with a (Los Angeles Clippers) team," said Dickerson. "But the list is real short; the teams that Kevin Garnett would go to, there might be two of them on it, and they both might be the Clippers and (Los Angeles) Lakers."

Celtics Legends Series: Kevin McHale Clotheslines Kurt Rambis

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:35:00 +0000

In Game 3, the Lakers raced to an easy 137-104 victory as Magic dished out 21 assists, an NBA Finals record. After the game, Bird said his team played like "sissies" in an attempt to light a fire under his teammates. It was Boston's worst playoff defeat in franchise history to that date.

In game 4 the Celtics responed, it was marked by Kevin Mchale's clothesline takedown of Rambis on a breakaway layup which triggered the physical aspect of the rivalry.Larry Bird would go after Kareem later on in the third quarter, and 1981 Finals MVP Maxwell further antagonized the Lakers by following a missed Worthy free throw by crossing the lane with his hands around his own neck, symbolizing that Worthy was "choking" under pressure. Also, Bird pushed Cooper to the baseline following the inbound play during the second quarter.

In Game 4, the Lakers had a five point game lead with less than a minute to play, but made several execution errors, including Magic's bad pass to Parish late in the 4th quarter as the Celtics tied the game and then came away with a 129-125 victory in overtime.

Best of Pierce: Pierce stuns Heat crowd in game three with buzzer beater

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:15:00 +0000

The Celtics had a 2-0 series lead,and the Celtics didn't want to give the Heat life in the best of seven first round series. Paul Pierce made sure of that with his favorite drop step move. He nailed the game winner, and it was one of many great moments in the 2010 run.

Celtics Morning Joe: Buyout pointless with Pierce

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:05:00 +0000

If the Celtics buyout Pierce they get nothing in return, but if they trade him and his 15 million a year deal. They can hopefully bring in a semi young player that can play along Rondo for years to come. The likely hood that a team trades a young star player is unlikely,and especially if it's for an aged star who may play one more season after 2013-14. I think one of the best case scenario is this. The Celtics trade him and bring a player back that's either an All-Star already,or they bring back a couple of players that can help out with some of the needs that the Celtics need. With that said, I would also hope that who ever picks up Pierce waives him. So the Celtics can clear him off of waivers. If that's the understanding between Danny and Pierce.That's a perfect world type of move.

If the Celtics use the amnesty clause on Pierce he cannot sign with the Celtics after that point.

ESPN BOSTON
• Captain Crunch: "As Ainge has acknowledged, the first real domino to fall will be Pierce. The team has until June 30 to decide whether to bring him back at a $15.3 million salary next season, but even that date won't provide a firm answer. The team could explore trading Pierce on draft night, or again over the summer. That's a preferred route if the team desires a makeover because it could bring back younger talent, or at least would absolve Boston from paying any part of Pierce's contract just to move on without him.
The path of least resistance is keeping this veteran core completely intact and hoping a healthy return for Rajon Rondo and Jared Sullinger is enough to propel Boston further than its first-round playoff exit this season.
But what's the best route? It's like the Routes 1, 2, and 3 options you often get when you query Google Maps for a route. The end destination is always the same, but there are plenty of different ways to travel."

"Ainge seems somewhat leery of taking the familiar route, and with good reason. The Celtics have shown that they need an awful lot to go right to be true contenders. Ainge wasn't bashful recently when he admitted that Boston is more than a single player away from being a title contender, and he might not be willing to roll the dice again on health with these veterans another year older (though it's been Boston's youngest players that have endured the most damning injuries in recent seasons).
All that said, there is a definite value in simply hanging on to Pierce, the least of which is the cap space that will be freed before a potential gold mine of a free-agent market in 2014 (the same year the draft is expected to be well-stocked). As easy as it is to overlook after his playoff struggles against the Knicks, Pierce carried this team at times after Rondo was lost for the season (all while battling through a pinched nerve in his neck that bothered him much of the season). There's plenty of basketball left in Pierce, and -- as Ainge has acknowledged -- a Celtics team that slots him and Garnett as, say, Options 3 and 4 instead of Options 1 and 2 like this season, could absolutely be in the mix."

The free agent pool in 2014 is deadly again. Danny's best bet is to patch things up one more time. Danny should look into character guys, and bigs to put around Rondo and company. All we can hope for is that Danny is wrong when selling this team short, and maybe with him selling this team short he's trying to light something inside of them. They have issues on this roster, that's not missed through all of this. But all he needs to do is find the right guys that go well with Rondo, and that will fit in with this team. I don't think a Jordan Crawford is a good fit here. So I think with the free agent pool in 2014. It will be something to hold out for, without trying to go for the home-run this off season.

The Heat's big three could break up in 2014, and maybe the Celtics can bring in a Chris Bosh with the cap space. Rondo and Bosh together with Green could be the future, and Sully with Bradley. The Celtics will have some money to play with in the summer of 2014. When I think of Pierce leaving. I think of the loyalty factor, but when I see the big picture. I think moving Paul is the wrong basketball move. Unless Danny has other plans.

Bradley makes All defensive second team

Mon, 13 May 2013 23:45:00 +0000

He did it! He finished 12th in defensive player of the year honors, and now he's made his first All-NBA defensive team. Hopefully this is the first step into making a first team.

ESPN
"Bradley earned 10 first-team votes and five second-team votes, for a total of 25 points. He shared the second-team backcourt with Memphis' Mike Conley (19 points). Tony Allen (53 points) and Chris Paul (37 points) comprised the first-team backcourt.

The voting panel is made up of the NBA’s 30 head coaches, who selected first and second teamers by position (coaches cannot vote for their own players). Two points were awarded for a first-team vote and one point for a second-team vote. Bradley outscored both of the first-team centers.

Bradley, a 22-year-old guard in his third season, has developed a reputation as one of the league's most tenacious on-ball defenders. According to individual defensive statistics logged by Synergy Sports, Bradley limited opponents to 0.697 points per play, the lowest in the league among those with at least 475 total defensive possessions. Opponents shot just 30.8 percent against Bradley and scored just 31.8 percent of the time (also a league low using that 475 possession total).

Bradley was the only Celtics player to receive votes in the All-Defensive balloting (Kevin Garnett, a mainstay of these teams, was surprisingly shut out). Previously, Bradley finished 12th in the media-voted Defensive Player of the Year award (landing on five of 121 ballots)."