Avery Bradley is no Ray Allen, but in the study of how Bradley went from a defensive specialist to a key part of the Celtics' all-around game, Allen's name is there.
With Allen gone to the Miami Heat and Bradley preparing to take more of the shooting guard load next season once he fully recovers from shoulder surgery, Bradley was giving praise to his former teammate on Tuesday. Allen, Bradley told ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg, was a big reason Bradley's game has developed to where it is.
"He helped me out every single day," Bradley said. "Sometimes I'd just be working out and he'd be watching on the side. He'd get up and tell me how I can be more consistent. I really thank him for that."
Bradley said many veterans on the Celtics were willing to help him out, but "especially Ray."
"Once I started playing the two-guard, he wanted to help me out, so that I could be the best two-guard I could be," Bradley said.
Bradley said Allen's advice started with his shooting — using the same motion every time to get his jump shot in line from any range.
"It was funny, when I wouldn't do it, he would always get up and say something to me," Bradley said. " 'That's not how you shoot jumpers.' He would always call me out."
Bradley said he was disappointed Allen was gone, calling the Celtics a "family" and saying Allen and other teammates are "like brothers." But he was also looking ahead to next season, where he said he'll fill whatever job the Celtics have for him.
While Bradley's strength has been on defense, where he's given the team new options in the frontcourt with Rajon Rondo, he also developed a 3-point game last season. His ability to hit long shots not only gave the team more scoring but also spread the floor, opening options for teammates.
Bradley played in 31 games in his rookie season in Boston, averaging 1.7 points a game and attempting just five 3-pointers. Last season, he played 64 games, scoring 7.6 points a game on 40.7 percent 3-point shooting. He also averaged 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists a game.
Bradley's improvement ended up being part of the reason Allen left as a free agent, as Bradley had started over Allen as Allen battled an ankle injury late last season.
