LeBron, D-Wade ruminate on Avery Bradley - Boston Herald (blog)

Dwyane Wade says he doesn’t remember the Celtics’ 91-72 win over his Heat on April 1.

“It was April Fool’s day, right?” the Heat star said this morning.

But Wade and LeBron James have absolute memory of one of the players who terrorized them that day - Avery Bradley (right, photo by Matthew West).

And according to Wade, one of Bradley’s greatest talents - cutting off the weak side, and playing off Rajon Rondo - is forcing players to look two places at one.

“One thing about Boston is they have a lot of triggers,” said Wade. “You’re looking at Rondo with the ball and all of the triggers they have, and (Bradley) is one of the best cutters. He finds a way to cut when the triggers are going. Maybe a big is rolling, maybe Rondo is driving in the paint, and you’re doing what you’ve been taught to do â€" which is paying attention to the ball â€" and he’s going the other way. You just have to be aware of it.”

It’s not a common talent among NBA guards, but Wade can think of at least one other with the same ability.

“Ronnie Brewer of the Bulls has that strength,” said Wade. “There’s a few players. Obviously he’s had an impact. He’s fast. He’s a good finisher. He’s an aggressive defender. He’ll try to get into you. I’m a guy who’s always going to give it your all, but he makes you focus a little bit more on your game.”

James has been impressed by how Bradley has been brought along by Doc Rivers.

“This league is about opportunity and a coach believing in you, and once Doc gave him the green light, he let his talent take care of itself,” he said. “The good thing is that he’s got guys around him that can help him. He just uses his instincts. He’s been playing extremely good basketball. When you start getting on people’s scouting reports and they start gunning for you, then you know you’re doing some great things.

“Much respect to him, because when he came out after his freshman year (at Texas) people didn’t know if he made the right decision or not. But he’s making the most of it now and playing great for this team.”

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