During the fourth quarter of Wednesday night's loss to the Thunder, Avery Bradley soared through the air and swatted away a Russell Westbrook layup attempt with authority.
That was just one of the many noteworthy plays he made that night -- and really, the season -- in place of Rajon Rondo, who has missed time this season due to injury and a two-game suspension.
The jury was out on Bradley coming into this season after a rookie campaign that saw little to no playing time. And really, the jury is still out. But we now know this: The kid belongs in the NBA. He can certainly defend with the best guards in the NBA, and his offensive game is coming around slowly but surely.
Perhaps most importantly for Bradley though, his teammates are taking notice and putting trust in the second-year guard.
"We already know what he can do defensively, but I think he's gaining a lot of confidence in his offense the way he's stepping up, knocking down shots, getting up on the break, cutting back door, getting some layups," said Celtics captain Paul Pierce. "His overall game has just improved. If he continues to improve at this rate he could be a starting guard in this league."
But will that starting position come on the Celtics? He'll never start over Rajon Rondo at point guard, but right now, Rondo's future with the C's is just as uncertain as everyone else's on the team.
What about Ray Allen? There's been talk that Allen could move into a bench role, but with the idea that Mickael Pietrus steps in.
For Bradley to ever be considered a legit starting guard in the NBA, he'll have to continue to work on his offensive game to the point that it's not an issue, and instead something his team can rely on. After all, nothing says shooting guard like a good shot.
Until then, he's a guy that can hold down the fort and step in in certain situations, and he's doing that just fine.