Avery Bradley on Pistons’ hot start: We have that old-school Detroit basketball mentality

Avery Bradley was a guest on ESPN’s The Jump to talk about the hot start of the 5-2 Detroit Pistons and, unsurprisingly, the conversation quickly turned to defense.

Bradley talked about Stan Van Gundy’s defensive expectations, how Bradley tries to lead by example starting with his first day in Detroit and how each player has a role to play in the team’s defensive identity.

“We wanted to have that old-school Detroit basketball mentality that is going out there, grinding out each and every game and playing defense first and letting the rest of the game come to us,” Bradley said.

Bradley knows he’s the defensive leader on the court in the locker room and he’s taken that position happily as did his teammates.

“Everyone accepted that and they wanted to challenge themselves to go out there and defend each and every night. Even guys that, it might not be their strength, because they know it helps our team.”

Bradley said he can feel the energy of the team on the floor and that stems from him and his teammates going hard every single practice. Raising the intensity in practice raises the intensity of the game. So far, the results speak for themselves.

Bradley also touched on his years in Boston and his failed dunk attempt against the Los Angeles Clippers. Bradley said he’s hoping that as a former teammate, Shaquille O’Neal shows him mercy and keeps him off of Shaqtin a Fool. Good luck with that, Avery.

Watch the whole segment: