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Bradley: Watching Lakers' title run from home 'still an amazing feeling'

Andrew D. Bernstein / National Basketball Association / Getty

Avery Bradley is ecstatic he's able to call himself an NBA champion despite not playing in a postseason game.

The Los Angeles Lakers guard, who opted out of the season restart in Orlando due to family health concerns, says cheering on his teammates over the last two-plus months from his home in Texas was still a rewarding experience.

"I watched every single game. I am still a Laker," Bradley told ESPN's Dave McMenamin on Monday, less than 24 hours after Los Angeles secured its 17th title.

Bradley added, "You play your whole career working for a championship, and knowing that I was this close and a part of something, even though I wasn't there, is still an amazing feeling."

After the team's Game 6 victory, Bradley said he spoke with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, who emphasized that the 29-year-old was an important part of the Lakers' success this season. Pelinka decided in July that he'd offer a championship ring to the 3-and-D guard if the Lakers won it all.

Bradley contributed strong two-way play during the regular season. He averaged 8.6 points on 36.4% 3-point shooting and 0.9 steals in 49 games (44 starts).

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