Avery Bradley is one of the core players on the roster, but his inability to stay healthy is alarming.
The 2016-17 season has brought numerous injuries to the Boston Celtics‘ roster. The latest victim to the injury bug is starting shooting guard Avery Bradley. Are Bradley’s injury problems a real concern?
Bradley has had a break out year. He is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, three-point percentage and field goal percentage. Bradley’s substantial improvement has been a bright spot in the Celtics’ season. Unfortunately, the achilles strain he suffered recently has reminded us of Bradley’s inability to stay healthy.
As much as he does for Boston, Bradley has never had a healthy season. In the playoffs last summer, the Texas product suffered a hamstring injury which practically doomed the Celtics against the Atlanta Hawks.
He has also suffered injuries with his shoulders, ankles, wrist, and calf. Unfortunately for Bradley, most of the injuries he’s suffered haven’t been minor set backs. He has usually missed extended time, which disrupts the rhythm of both the team, and his individual play.
The Celtics have an interesting decision looming regarding their back court. Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart are due for contract extensions at the same time as Bradley. Also, the Celtics will most likely have a top three pick this summer in a draft that is loaded with guards at the top. One way or another, Boston has to make a decision on who will be the odd man out.
Bradley is one of the Celtics’ best all around players. He has shown improvement every year in his career, and has set a great example for younger players. However, if Bradley demands a large contract, it will be tough for the Celtics to keep him due to his injury history.
As the rest of this season continues, all Celtics fans can hope for is that their starting shooting guard stays healthy. Bradley and Thomas make up one of the best back courts in the NBA, and Boston needs both of them if they hope to have playoff success.
More from Hardwood Houdini
This article originally appeared on 
