Skip to content

Bradley: My goal is to be NBA Defensive Player of the Year

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Only one member of the Boston Celtics has ever been named NBA Defensive Player of the Year, with Kevin Garnett earning the honor for the 2007-08 regular season.

Current Celtic Avery Bradley not only hopes to be the second player in franchise history to take home the award, but the first guard to win it since "The Glove" Gary Payton 20 years ago.

"That’s my goal: To be Defensive Player of the Year," Bradley told reporters at a community event in Belmont on Monday, according to CBS Boston. "I feel like it’s possible for me if I go out there with the right mindset."

Related: Bradley's defensive secret: 'I don't care about getting embarrassed'

The 25-year-old finished sixth in voting for the award in 2015-16, while also making the All-Defensive first team for the first time in his career. He averaged a career high 1.5 steals in 33.4 minutes per game, along with 15.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 44.7 percent shooting.

MORE STORIES

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox