Doc didn't really have a ton of options with the team we had in the playoffs last year.
And if Doc had had options, we might still not know how good Avery Bradly could be or known whether Steamer could play or not.
Mike
I think the assumption that Doc never would have played Bradley is pretty ridiculous.
I think that statement is pretty ridiculous. Bradley was forced in and so was steamer, while guys like jjj and Moore road the pine all year even during garbage time. Holy crap does anyone think spoelstra is a
great coach? Prob not in his first year but they got to the finals. Now do u think he woulda gotten anywhere without bron Wade and bosh? The players make the team.
Bradley was forced into the lineup earlier in the year and didn't look anywhere near as good on offense as he did in the spring.
I thought the main reason for Bradley's improved play in that second spell vs earlier in the year was because Bradley (SG) got to play alongside Rondo (PG) in that second spell.
A lot of those efficient scoring opportunities - the transition hoops, the off the ball cuts, the corner three pointers. They came when Rondo was alongside Bradley. That was what generated his improved offensive play.
Playing off the ball and off an elite playmaker like Rondo put Bradley in position to make / take advantage of those opportunities.
I think defensively Bradley was very strong early in the season (as a PG) and I think offensively his performance level was very similar to how he performed late on in the season when he was on the court without Rondo. When Rondo rested. Less efficient. More dribbling. Asked to make more decisions on the ball. More long twos at the top of the key instead of cuts to the rim and corner threes.