LBJ and D Wade sing praises for Bradley and C's

[j804]

In a 91-72 triumph, the Celtics held Miami to season lows in points and field goal percentage (34.0). It’s one thing to thoroughly whup the Timberwolves, but the Heat still fully believe they’re going to win the 2012 NBA championship. We’re talking an entirely different level of competition here.

And while many in the national hoop cognoscenti will now sit up and look a little more closely at your Celts, they will find LeBron James already nodding.

“I’m going to say the same thing I said last year,” said James after scoring 23 points but going without an assist for just the second time in his career. “We’re one team and I’m one guy that never counts the C’s out.

“I would never count them out. I mean, they’ve just got too many winners. They’ve got guys that have been in the moment before. So like I told you guys last year when everyone was down on the C’s, I always said I’m not going to turn my back on those guys.”

Even if many of the team’s followers already have. It said something as well when the club decided at the trade deadline to protect its future flexibility rather than spend some of it on a better shot this season. And, to be fair, that stance, when one takes a step back, still appears to be correct.

But it can’t be ignored that these Celts have steadfastly refused to die, even when placed on life support for an eight-game road trip that was supposed to be their visit to the electric chair.

And while injuries come, the Celts keep going.

“They’ve got a good team, no matter who’s out on the floor,” said James. “When they have those guys that have been in the moment, everyone else picks it up.”

“Everyone else” may have been a not so indirect reference to Avery Bradley, who harassed Dwyane Wade into 6-for-17 shooting and had 13 points to his starry opponent’s 15.

“They played exceptionally well — as good as they’ve played against us in a long time,” said Wade.

Nothing signified the defensive effort more than the block in the second quarter that might be seen over and over on replays around the country. Wade slashed to the paint and tried to get a shot over the 6-foot-2 defender, but Bradley was in perfect position and showed off some of his youthful legs as he reached up and swatted the seven-time All-Star.

Bradley tried to downplay the block.

“I was just playing hard and I made a good play,” he said. “I think it just comes from playing hard.”

But it was certainly a play that caught the attention of Wade, as the cameras caught the Heat guard mouthing a few words to Bradley after the block.

“It was a pretty athletic block,” Wade said. “I patted him on the butt and said, ‘You looked like me on that block, kid. Good job.’ ”

“He’s a really good young player,” said James of Bradley. “I think defensively he’s one of the best guys that we’ve seen from baseline to baseline. He’s really good at that. And he gives them another attack out there off the dribble, and he does a great job of cutting. When Rondo penetrates or Paul (Pierce) penetrates, he does a great job of cutting and getting easy ones. So he brings a dynamic to their team that they have used and that works for them.

“They’re No. 1 in assists per game. It starts with Rondo, of course, but KG (Kevin Garnett) is one of those guys, and Paul makes plays, as well. And those guys work together. So when they get great opportunities and they make shots, you’ve got to be able to make shots, as well.”

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/20220402stating_case_for_respect_green_silence_critics_with_impressive_win/
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/20220402bradley_blocks_out_wade/


Interesting seeing James allude to us being a different team out there with Bradley

[jdz101]

Maybe wade will injure bradley in the playoffs this year instead.

Muppet.

[chambers]

Thanks for the post, TP.

Even though they are scumbags, I don't hate them THAT much.
But seriously, it's good to see them being gracious in defeat- Avery Bradley will love getting props from a superstar and it's only a good thing.

The one thing the Heat have a lot of for our team is respect.
They even said they joined forces like the C's did because they wanted a super team based around defensive toughness.

I think we match up much better against them in the playoffs than Chicago so hopefully we see them before or instead of the Bulls.

[TheGreenMonster]

Maybe wade will injure bradley in the playoffs this year instead.

Muppet.

TP for the use of the word "Muppet"

[Kiorrik]

Well, that's one thing about James that you've got to give him credit for: he doesn't count his eggs.

[Bankshot]

I love how Wade couldn't compliment Bradley without complementing himself.

[thirstyboots18]

I love how Wade couldn't compliment Bradley without complementing himself.

Ha!  TP.  Complimenting Wade is a dirty job, but someone has to do it. 

[cman88]

Wow lebron really has turned wade into a jerk..gotta love how wade compliments himself...guy shot just 35% against bradley

[RyNye]

In Wade's defense, he may have been complimenting himself, but he is by a good margin the leader in blocks among active guards. It's not exactly far-fetched for him making the comparison, there. It's pretty rare for guards to get blocks at all, nevermind that close to the rim.

[slamtheking]

mentioned it last night in the game commentary that I wouldn't be surprised if Bradley's block doesn't make national news.  Just watched Sportscenter this morning and they had nothing on the block.  All about Bron not getting an assist, Rondo's triple double and that the C's might not be totally dead. (which was a surprise)

[CelticG1]

In Wade's defense, he may have been complimenting himself, but he is by a good margin the leader in blocks among active guards. It's not exactly far-fetched for him making the comparison, there. It's pretty rare for guards to get blocks at all, nevermind that close to the rim.

Yeah its not far fetched at all just sounds a little insecure/defensive

[LooseCannon]

mentioned it last night in the game commentary that I wouldn't be surprised if Bradley's block doesn't make national news.  Just watched Sportscenter this morning and they had nothing on the block.  All about Bron not getting an assist, Rondo's triple double and that the C's might not be totally dead. (which was a surprise)

It's the sort of thing that should go in their top ten plays highlight segment, not in their segment on the actual game.

[Moranis]

Wow lebron really has turned wade into a jerk..gotta love how wade compliments himself...guy shot just 35% against bradley

Wade has always been a jerk, Lebron has never been a jerk.  I mean seriously, the hate of Lebron, I just don't get.

[wahz]

In Wade's defense, he may have been complimenting himself, but he is by a good margin the leader in blocks among active guards. It's not exactly far-fetched for him making the comparison, there. It's pretty rare for guards to get blocks at all, nevermind that close to the rim.

Yeah well after what he did to Rondo, you won't catch me defending Wade ever. He think he can get away with anything, because the refs have truly allowed him to get away with anything.

[jdz101]

In Wade's defense, he may have been complimenting himself, but he is by a good margin the leader in blocks among active guards. It's not exactly far-fetched for him making the comparison, there. It's pretty rare for guards to get blocks at all, nevermind that close to the rim.

Yeah well after what he did to Rondo, you won't catch me defending Wade ever. He think he can get away with anything, because the refs have truly allowed him to get away with anything.

I hope Dwayne Wade falls off the ferris wheel and breaks every bone in his body.