Now Avery Bradley has a partner in overwhelming aggression.
Avery Bradley has been asked to stop pressuring opponents before.
The first time, or at least the first reported time, came against the Orlando Magic last year, before Bradley had really developed a widespread reputation for being one of the league's most disruptive on-ball defenders.
According to Bradley, at least, Jameer Nelson repeatedly begged him to stop picking up full court. But Bradley isn't one for mercy. He continued to follow Nelson like an uncomfortable boyfriend during the first time attending his girlfriend's family Christmas, and the results weren't pretty for Orlando.
Nelson finished with as many turnovers (five) as shot attempts or points, and the Magic couldn't even crack the highway speed limit. Boston won 87-56, and Bradley's ability to strike fear -- and maybe even smell its sweet aroma -- began to swell.
Bradley has not given any reason for his reputation to dwindle since. And now he has a partner in overwhelming aggression. He and Courtney Lee -- you might know them as the Pitbulls -- have been pressuring opposing backcourts together since the beginning of the New Year.
Tuesday night, at least according to Lee, the duo forced an All-Star to call uncle.
Eye is coo! Not sure how it want a and1 but oh well!Highlight of the night, JRU came to me and @avery_bradley and ask us to cool the Defense
— Courtney Lee (@CourtneyLee2211) March 6, 2013
It should be noted here that the Bradley-Lee pairing hasn't necessarily resulted in a boon for Boston's defense. Opponents have actually fared better offensively against the Celtics during the 332 minutes the Pitbulls have played together, but one reason for that is they start the game and generally play an opponent's five best players for at least a portion of every contest.
Holiday finished with 18 points and 10 assists, but also had five turnovers and needed 17 shots (plus six free throw attempts) to fall just shy of his scoring average. It seems that Lee and Bradley wouldn't make good disc jockeys -- they aren't very good at taking requests.