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Reggie Bullock hopes Avery Bradley rubs off on Pistons

By Duncan Smith

AUBURN HILLS, MI - JULY 13: Detroit Pistons Avery Bradley poses for a portrait on July 13, 2017 at the Detroit Pistons Practice Facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - JULY 13: Detroit Pistons Avery Bradley poses for a portrait on July 13, 2017 at the Detroit Pistons Practice Facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Reggie Bullock has followed Avery Bradley’s career ever since they were both in high school. Now, they’re teammates for the Detroit Pistons.

Reggie Bullock has admired new Detroit Pistons’ teammate Avery Bradley‘s game ever since they were both in high school, particularly his mid-range game.

Per Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:

"“I’m in high school I was seeing him play and I’m like, ‘This kid got the best midrange game I’ve ever seen.’ ”"

That mid-range game has been on display in Bradley’s NBA career, but in no season more than last season where he shot a glittering 55.6 percent from 10-to-14 feet. From 15-to-19 feet, his rate drops to a still-respectable 43.7 percent.

While Bradley is a good mid-range shooter, he made his name on the defensive side of the ball.

"“He’s a great defender — always been a great defender — he can get over pick-and-rolls, he gets into players, (and) he’s obviously a player I’ll continue to learn from this season, even in practice,” Bullock said."

Outside of on-court impact, the Pistons can benefit from Bradley’s acumen and experience on defense. Other than Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and perhaps Stanley Johnson, the Pistons had a backcourt littered with poor perimeter defenders last year. While KCP is gone and Bradley replaces him, he brings along with him an All-NBA defensive resume and a tradition of winning from the Boston Celtics. This is something Reggie Bullock and the Pistons organization hope he can impart to their young and relatively inexperienced roster.

"“I’ve never seen him take plays off at all, and he’s in it to win i. I’m sure that he’s training this summer to bring a winning mentality back to Detroit. But this year is a brand new year for us to build, and that’s our focus, but Avery overall is a great player on both ends of the floor.”"

Next: Can the Pistons get involved in the Kyrie sweepstakes?

The Pistons had a puzzling lack of focus, effort and energy much of last year, particularly among the best players on the roster. With the significant turnover the roster has undergone this summer and the installation of a hard-working and tenacious veteran like Bradley, the days of the Pistons lazily coasting through uninspired losses may be a thing of the past.

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