Today in Boston Celtics history, guard Avery Antonio Bradley Jr. was born in Tacoma, Washington in 1990. Bradley played NCAA basketball with the University of Texas Longhorns before he was selected by the Celtics with the 19th overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft, starting his NBA career on the injured list due to ankle surgery.
The University of Texas alum was soon a meaningful part of the team's backcourt rotation once he was able to get back on the court, however, joining a team with designs on contending for an NBA title, and holding his own while he did it. Over the course of seven seasons with Boston, the Tacoma native racked up two All-Defensive team honors. He was dealt to the Detroit Pistons at the end of the 2016-17 NBA season to make room for the signing of veteran forward Gordon Hayward's contract with the Celtics.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBradley averaged 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game with Boston.
Debuts
It is also the date of former Boston guard Delonte West's debut with the team. An alumnus of St. Joseph's University, West was selected by Boston with the 24th overall pick of the 2004 NBA Draft. The Washington, District of Columbia native played his inaugural game for the team in a 98-96 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers that same year.
May 7, 2011; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics shooting guard Delonte West in game three of the second round of the 2011 NBA playoffs against the Miami Heat at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsWest scored 7 points, 1 rebound, and as many assists in just nine minutes of floor time.
Transactions
Finally, it was also on this date that fellow D.C. native Sherman Douglas was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Alton Lister and Todd Day in 1995. The former Syracuse point guard played parts of 5 seasons with the Celtics, averaging 11.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game with the team over that stretch.
Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls falls to the court with his tongue out as he is pushed down by Sherman Douglas of the Boston Celtics in 1st quarter action at Boston Garden, March 22. The game is Jordan's second since returning to the NBA. Chicago went on to win 124 to 107"I haven't paid much attention (to Milwaukee)," said Douglas at the time of the trade via the A.P. "But I know they have two great players. I like their chances. I think they'll be right there."
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Bradley born; West debut; Douglas trade
AdvertisementAdvertisement
