NORTH DARTMOUTH — Avery Bradley remembers the chuckles. The Celtics would make the playoffs, he said confidently at his skills academy last summer. Bradley believed it, even though he knew many did not.
A year later, his faith affirmed, Bradley took time off from training at the University of Texas to return to North Dartmouth for his second annual Avery Bradley Skills Academy, which concluded Thursday afternoon. He was hesitant to forecast the upcoming season, but he did make one prediction:
It will all work out.
“Danny [Ainge] always does a good job,” Bradley said when asked about the Celtics’ offseason that included adding three guards to the roster in the draft.
“I know a lot of people are probably like, ‘Why did he draft guards?’ But they’re very good guys, and very good players. I know that they can add something that this team needs.”
The additions of Terry Rozier, R.J. Hunter, and Marcus Thornton have packed the backcourt and ignited chatter about what could be next for the ever-evolving Celtics roster. Ainge has made it clear in recent years that the name on the back of the jersey means far less than the future for the name on the front.
If Ainge and coach Brad Stevens remain guard heavy to start the season, divvying up playing time might be a big concern.
But that’s the least of Bradley’s concerns.
“You can’t think about that,’’ Bradley said. “This is even for the younger players: the only thing you can control is your attitude and the way you play. I know that, and I hope everyone else knows that. Just focus on getting better and do whatever you can do for your teammates.”
The crowded backcourt will bring out the best in everyone, Bradley believes, as will the recent additions of forwards Amir Johnson and David Lee, who was acquired from Golden State in exchange for Gerald Wallace last week.
“[Trading for Lee] brings in not only a good person - because I’ve heard a lot of good things about him - but it brings someone that has that experience that he can share,” Bradley said. “He just won a championship last year. I know everyone will have their notebook and a pen sitting there asking him questions.
“I’m just happy we have guys like that — not only [Lee], but Amir as well,” Bradley said. “He has experience, too.”
He’s been in the playoffs two years in a row. We need to get better mentally and physically, and those guys can help us.”
Now the Celtics longest tenured player on the eve of his sixth professional season, Bradley said he would welcome the honor of being named captain if asked.
The current state of Boston’s roster affords the Celtics flexibility, though there is one job that isn’t so fluid – the captaincy, a void left vacant by Rajon Rondo after he was traded to Dallas in December.
“I would love to take that role,” he said. “I learned a lot from [Rajon] Rondo, KG [Kevin Garnett], and those guys. I learned to be a professional on and off the court.
“It’s my job to show my teammates that I should be the captain of this team. I should be the guy teaching them how to be professionals, how to go out there and perform at a high level so we can be successful.”