Fansided

NBA Season Preview: 5 best perimeter defenders

By John Buhler

Oct 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) jogs onto the court prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings at the SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) jogs onto the court prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings at the SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes (22) shoots against Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) in the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes (22) shoots against Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) in the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Avery Bradley, Boston Celtics SG

For the 2016-17 Boston Celtics to emerge as the best team in the Eastern Conference (not named the Cleveland Cavaliers), stellar shooting guard Avery Bradley will need to again elevate this defense.

Bradley was a highly touted prospect coming out of high school. After a one-and-done campaign at the University of Texas, Bradley largely underwhelmed in the NBA initially because he really couldn’t shoot. After a few years working on his craft, Bradley is a reliable shooter but his best attribute is still his aggressive perimeter defense.

Bradley is a two-time All-Defensive selection, making his the first All-Defensive team for the first time in 2015-16. Bradley has gotten better as a shooter under Stevens, but more importantly has become an absolute stud defensively.

Bradley has 117 steals last season, and contributed 2.8 Defensive Win Shares. In his young career, Bradley already has 10.1 Defensive Win Shares in 358 career games.

With Boston expected to take a leap forward, Bradley will continue to climb up the list as one of the better perimeter defensive players in the NBA. He does have great teammates on the defensive end, but Bradley sets the tone on that end of the floor for Boston.

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