While the news about Rajon Rondo getting the first look as the point guard with the starting unit was a very interesting note, the Lakers have had two practices since their first post-practice visit with the media. And apparently in the last 24 hours, another former Celtics guard has been quite impressive, according to report: Avery Bradley.
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel told reporters on Sunday afternoon that Bradley has been “the guy everyone is talking about,” due to his intensity in practice.
Via The Athletic’s Bill Oram
If Bradley is showing some tenaciousness, that would give the Lakers some hope that he can rediscover some of the elite defense he showed for the early part of his career.
I suggested in my player capsule about Bradley that his best days as a defender were behind him, but he told reporters at Media Day that he dropped 40 pounds over the offseason. He said that injuries limited his activity level, causing him to gain weight. And maybe that was the missing piece for him all along to rediscovering the shape that made him an All-Defensive team player twice in his career.
If Bradley is able to bring back some of that old Boston defense and couple it with the strong spot-up shooting he showed last season, the Lakers will have found quite a bit of value with his 2-year, $9.77 million deal.
