Is it odd that Bradley didn't say goodbye? Hoping he's not upset...

[obnoxiousmime]

I haven't noticed any post or newspaper ad or any press release from Bradley since being traded to Detroit. It also appears as if he hasn't talked to any journalists about the trade from the Boston perspective (he had his press conference in Detroit the other day, but no mention of Boston or the Celtics that I've seen). Just about the only thing I've seen is Rozier's quote about talking to Bradley about how they'll "always be brothers" regardless of what team they're on.

While I'm not expecting a full page ad declaring his undying love for the city of Boston and all Celtics fans, it does seem strange that there was nothing at all. He spent 7 years here and was almost always well-liked and cheered for. Even when there was a lot of trade speculation after Hayward signing meant the Celtics would need to clear space, very few fans expected/wanted Bradley to be the one to go.

Even if he was upset at the organization, he could have easily crafted some message directed to the fans and the city and left the team out of it. Olynyk had a nice tweet thanking everyone and it probably took no more than a few minutes to write.

Going back to the Rozier thing, it also strikes me as odd that no other Celtics players have really come out and said anything about the trade, even a token "I'm going to miss my bro" tweet. I understand that it's awkward, but it's very standard after a trade for the well wishes tweets to come out. I haven't seen anything at all. It appears there were no tears shed for Kelly's departure either.

I guess I just don't get it. I always look for the player goodbyes when someone leaves town because it provides some closure. Everyone was bummed out about his departure and for him not to reciprocate anything at all just seems a little odd, is all. I'm not suggesting conspiracies, but it makes me wonder if he's upset, or if the other Celtics players are upset. Did they all decide as a group not to say anything, perhaps deferring to Bradley's preference? Even if they did, why not a nice little thank you to the fans, at least?

I NEED CLOSURE!

[kozlodoev]

I'm not sure why he would be upset with the organization. Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge were instrumental in making him a household name in the NBA, and stuck with him when it would have been easier to just leave him on the pine behind hall-of-famer Ray Allen.

[TheSundanceKid]

He's just a quiet person, big statements of anything aren't really his personality.

He expresses his appreciation to the fans enough for us to know he values us. I imagine he's currently acclimatising with his new teammates and moving his family and wants to devote his attention to that.

When he returns to the TD Garden I would expect him to say something regarding it but I won't expect him to go out of his way to say something in the meantime.

[Hank Finkel]

I would be upset if I were him.  The Celtics are on the rise and can challenge the elite teams in the next few years and he was exiled to Detroit. He was a core player on this team and was tough as nails out there on the court.  He was a quiet leader and the remaining Celtic from titles past. The business side is cruel and doesn't have feelings.  I would definitely be upset.  I will miss AB as a fan. He was a true Celtic.

[ayer]

I am upset on the trade as a fan, I didn't want to trade AB, as others said there is no feelings for business.

I'm guessing he don't want to comment with emotions and chose to be quiet.

[obnoxiousmime]

I'm not sure why he would be upset with the organization. Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge were instrumental in making him a household name in the NBA, and stuck with him when it would have been easier to just leave him on the pine behind hall-of-famer Ray Allen.

It could be the destination, or the fact that management felt Hayward was an upgrade or a better use of the money. Some players might feel like if they signed for less, they should get some loyalty from the home team? Even though, at the time it was a fair deal considering he wasn't very proven as a player. Actually, I used to hate the deal!

Or maybe he's not really upset in the angry sense of the word, and just more frustrated and disappointed since Boston is the only team he's known in his career.

I don't know, I'm just speculating. One quote from his presser struck me:

Bradley on long-term deal: “I want to reach my full potential as a basketball player and I’m hoping that can be here.”

I know players say that kind of generic be-the-best-you-can-be stuff all the time, but maybe he thought his contributions were going to always be overlooked on a deeper Celtics team? Maybe he really wants to be considered an All-Star level player, and a constant on the all-defense team?

[Surferdad]

Was there anything from the Celtics organization thanking him for his contributions?  I'm just curious because I would have expected that first.  They knew they were going to trade him before Bradley knew.  If they did that when they announced the trade, then fine, but even if they did, Avery might be upset but understandably so, he will get over it.  Doesn't bother me.

[obnoxiousmime]

Was there anything from the Celtics organization thanking him for his contributions?  I'm just curious because I would have expected that first.  They knew they were going to trade him before Bradley knew.  If they did that when they announced the trade, then fine, but even if they did, Avery might be upset but understandably so, he will get over it.  Doesn't bother me.

Ainge said some nice words about him, reiterating that Bradley is one of his favorite players:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2017/07/07/celtics-avery-bradley-trade/9A28S9yih71ZmsnqyvZnSP/story.html

“I love the kid,” Ainge said. “This is not fun. I think everybody knows Avery has been one of my favorites around here for the last seven years. He’s been one of my favorite guys, one of my favorite players to watch.

“I think Avery, the things he does on the court go very unnoticed. A lot of other people get the attention and Avery’s doing a lot of the dirty work to help us win games.”

I noticed in this article Horford did actually comment on the deal:

“He was an amazing player for us,” Horford said Friday. “He’s one of the guys I really leaned on a lot this year that was always encouraging me and positive. So he’s somebody that I have a lot of respect for and I wish him the best. Detroit is really lucky to have him.”

This quote was also interesting, I had forgotten about it:

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said with the additions of Hayward and rookie forward Jayson Tatum, there was a glut of young players capable of playing shooting guard, including Smart, Terry Rozier, and Jaylen Brown.

“And so we were thin more at [power forward/small forward],” Ainge said, “so from that standpoint, it sort of served two purposes at creating opportunities for some of the young guys to play, and playing a little bigger, which we feel like we needed to get with a smaller point guard [Thomas].”

I don't recall Ainge ever mentioning before that Thomas and Bradley's shorter heights leaves us a little small in the guard department when they're on the court together.

[Surferdad]

Was there anything from the Celtics organization thanking him for his contributions?  I'm just curious because I would have expected that first.  They knew they were going to trade him before Bradley knew.  If they did that when they announced the trade, then fine, but even if they did, Avery might be upset but understandably so, he will get over it.  Doesn't bother me.

Ainge said some nice words about him, reiterating that Bradley is one of his favorite players:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2017/07/07/celtics-avery-bradley-trade/9A28S9yih71ZmsnqyvZnSP/story.html

“I love the kid,” Ainge said. “This is not fun. I think everybody knows Avery has been one of my favorites around here for the last seven years. He’s been one of my favorite guys, one of my favorite players to watch.

“I think Avery, the things he does on the court go very unnoticed. A lot of other people get the attention and Avery’s doing a lot of the dirty work to help us win games.”

...

Thank-you.  I was interested specifically in what the FO said to thank him. TP.

Even so, it is completely understandable if Avery hasn't said anything yet.  Let the guy absorb this big job change.  Can't be easy.

[Moranis]

Why does he have to say goodbye?  He owes the Celtics, the city, and the fans nothing. 

[jpotter33]

Hated seeing AB leave. He was frustrating with his lack of BBIQ at times, but he was still a high character guy who thoroughly represented Celtic pride.

That has to be tough to work in a job that gives you such limited autonomy regarding where you work. I guess it comes with the job of being paid big bucks like that, but you know that has to be tough on families, especially for lower-level players and journeymen that move around a lot.

[SHAQATTACK]

he has to be hurt some ,after all he gave to Boston , his only team.  I wuld have been miffed to a point.   Probably the first trade is the worst . Then it gets easier

both DA and AB had to make a difficult choice .  Stay somewhere he was comfortable or move on and get paid what he was worth are current rates.    Danny has to make the team better , its his job.

He seemed determined to land th big contract . So he made his bed .

[Roy H.]

He's not big on social media. If he's salty, I understand. He just got sent to a worse city and a worse organization. Hopefully he gets paid $100+ million next off-season, which will take some of the sting away. Haha.

[Roy H.]

That has to be tough to work in a job that gives you such limited autonomy regarding where you work. I guess it comes with the job of being paid big bucks like that, but you know that has to be tough on families, especially for lower-level players and journeymen that move around a lot.

It's like being in the military, except you're pampered, make 200 times as much, and your job duties don't include dying.

[RockinRyA]

AB is pretty quiet. He doesnt go on social media much and he rarely does interviews.

I love AB, but I think even he knows he has to go to get paid.