PistonPowered
Fansided

Avery Bradley is more than just a defender for the Pistons

By Collin Loring

AUBURN HILLS, MI - JULY 13: Stan Van Gundy, president of basketball operations of the Detroit Pistons present Avery Bradley his jersey during a press conference 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: Stan Van Gundy, president of basketball operations of the Detroit Pistons present Avery Bradley his jersey during a press conference 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Detroit Pistons’ summer was highlighted by the trade for shooting guard Avery Bradley. Though he is a peak defensive talent in the league, he’s bringing more than that to Detroit this season.

After missing the playoffs with a 37-45 record last season, the Detroit Pistons’ front office were sure something had to be changed.

Star center Andre Drummond, and the ever-developing Tobias Harris represent some of the best talent in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons have too much talent to not contend in the playoffs.

Avery Bradley is that extra man that puts them over the top. His addition makes for an immediate improvement to the Pistons offense, and overall morale.

Offense

The Detroit Pistons were one of the worst offensive teams in the league last year. They ranked 26th among the league in offensive rating after averaging 103.3 points per 100 possessions.

Bradley is no prolific scorer by any means, but improves this Pistons offense regardless. Last year the shooting guard averaged 16.3 points per game, a career-high on his seven-year tenure.

That ranked him 13th among all shooting guards last season, and coincidentally, just four spots above ex-Piston Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. It’s also the most points averaged by any Piston headed into this season.

Related Story: Best and worst-case scenarios for Avery Bradley

In those points lies one of the most underrated aspects to Bradley’s game, three-point shooting. He’s a career 37 percent shooter, and averaged a career-high 39 percent last season. This is good news for the Pistons, who were ranked 28th in the league last season after shooting a lowly 33 percent.

Having another offensive target for point guards Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith will help smooth out this slow and bumpy offense. Detroit posted 21.1 assists per game last year, which ranked them 24th among the league.

Don’t believe me? Look at Isaiah Thomas, who averaged 3.7 assists in his 2014-2015 campaign with the Phoenix Suns. The following season, once traded to the Boston Celtics, his average increased to 6.2.

Bradley is a shooting guard who’s complementary to point guards looking to pass the ball. The Detroit Pistons need that now more than ever.

CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 23: Kyrie Irving
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 23: Kyrie Irving /

Overall Morale

The Pistons are facing a grey area season with some tough decisions on the other end. Some of those include Reggie Jackson, and others include Andre Drummond.

Making the playoffs this year is nothing short of vital to the future of the franchise. Beyond that, finding success in the postseason isn’t something any of these players are familiar with.

More from PistonPowered

Drummond was drafted by Detroit five seasons ago. He’s seen the playoffs once. In those playoffs, the team was swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Avery Bradley? Well he’s seen the postseason each of the last five seasons, where he posted career averages of 12.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per playoff game. Including last season when the Boston Celtics blazed their way to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Now, no one’s saying this guard was solely responsible for his team’s consistent appearance in the playoffs, or series wins for that matter.

Yet it’s that experience in a postseason environment, and presence in the locker room that will push the Pistons that much further to playoff victories.

The Detroit Pistons have plenty of individual talent, but have failed to mesh as a team. Avery Bradley is the kind of player that aids an offense reach fluidity, and defense stand tall.

When the Pistons find themselves contending in the postseason, Bradley will be the first player guys look to when entering that unfamiliar territory.

Next: Pistons lost the most money in NBA last season

In what was likely the most underrated trade of the summer, the Detroit Pistons have acquired a two-guard capable of complementing each of the team’s low points.

Home/Pistons News