Unleashing Scary Terry: Rozier Emerges as Key Cog for Celtics

https://www.si.com/nba/2018/05/03/nba-playoffs-terry-rozier-emergence-boston-celtics-philadelphia-76ers



Unleashing Scary Terry: Rozier Emerges as Key Cog for Celtics




With Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart down, the Celtics looked left for dead prior to the playoffs. But that left room for the emergence of “Scary Terry”.



By ROHAN NADKARNI


May 03, 2018



Perhaps no one in the world has been invested in Terry Rozier’s success as much as I have. Nearly three years ago, at the 2015 NBA Rookie Photoshoot, Rozier more or less ended my athletic career when he essentially performed a series of NBA Street moves on me before draining a three in my face. (Unfortunately, there is visual evidence.) You could argue that moment was actually the highlight of Rozier’s rookie season, as he only appeared in 39 games for Boston in 2015–16. Fast forward to the 2018 playoffs, Rozier has become a key cog in the Celtics machine, and I’m telling everyone I was humiliated by a future All-Star.

Rozier’s emergence quite truly could not have come at a better time for Boston. You probably read that cliché a lot, but the Celtics looked left for dead heading into the playoffs with both Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart injured. It looked like some teams in the East were even jockeying backwards for playoff position so they could see Boston in the first round. Thanks in large part to Rozier, seeing the Celtics in Round 1 proved futile for the Bucks, who saw their pricey midseason acquisition Eric Bledsoe be thoroughly outplayed by the young Rozier.



BRIAN BABINEAU/NBAE VIA GETTY IMAGES


In Game 1 against the 76ers, Rozier went off, scoring 29 points, including a blistering 7-of-9 from three. Somehow, Boston is again leading a series it probably has no business being a threat in.

Rozier’s offensive game is fearless. He shot 38.1% from three during the regular season, and he’s increased both his volume and efficiency in the playoffs. The sample size is certainly small, but Rozier has certainly flashed his potential through the first eight games of the postseason. His threes come in a variety of actions. Rozier isn’t afraid to pull-up on the fastbreak. He’ll shoot if you give him space and go under pick-and-rolls. And he’s also effective as a kick-out option for Boston’s lankier forwards. Rozier has also shown an ability to get into the paint, and while he’s not quite the finisher Irving is, he does have some nice touch around the rim.


Boston’s defense hasn’t been great with Rozier on the court during the playoffs, but his offense has offset any issues on that end. What’s promising is during the regular season, the Celtics had a 104.2 defensive rating while Rozier played, so it’s possible to have a stingy defense around him. Rozier is far from a mess on that defense, and his long arms are a nuisance for most non-Ben Simmons point guards.

The emergence of Rozier is important on so many levels for the Celtics. At the baseline, he’s helping keep the team competitive in the wake of the Irving injury. (Let’s not forget Gordon Hayward either!) Boston’s offense was average at best before the playoffs. But the Celtics’ offensive rating has jumped from 105.2 to 107.7 in the postseason. That second mark would have been good for a top-ten offense this year. Boston hasn’t just morphed into an offensive juggernaut overnight. But Rozier—who is averaging more minutes and points per game in the playoffs than he did in any month during the regular season—is one of the guys elevating his game to help the Celtics go toe-to-toe against teams with arguably better top-end talent.


For the long-term, Rozier has become an interesting piece. He’s proven this season he can be a capable backup (at the very least) for Irving. Moving forward, he can provide scoring punch off the bench, and he’s big enough to play in two-guard lineups with Kyrie. (Irving and Rozier played 534 minutes together this year with a 1.8 net rating.) With Marcus Smart headed for restricted free agency, Danny Ainge could be more willing to let Smart walk if he’s confident in Rozier playing significant minutes in the future. Rozier will be eligible for an extension this summer, otherwise he too will become an RFA in 2019.


Of course, with the wheeling and dealing Boston likes to do, Rozier has also improved his trade value with this playoff run. Could Boston dangle Rozier in a trade for another superstar? I’m sure Ainge would do it. Other teams should probably be a little careful. Trading for someone after one hot (and short) playoff run isn’t always prudent, and I would personally be a little worried about taking someone out of Brad Stevens’s cocoon and expecting the same level of success. Ainge, though, holds all the cards.

For now, Celtics fans should enjoy Rozier and the run him and this team are putting together. Boston is pretty much the liquid-metal Terminator at this point. No matter what you do to the Celtics, they put themselves back together and keep coming after you. Rozier has been a huge part of that never-quit relentlessness during the playoffs. I couldn’t be happier for him. Or myself.



bob



.

" Boston is pretty much the liquid-metal Terminator at this point. No matter what you do to the Celtics, they put themselves back together and keep coming after you"

nominated for quote of the day lol

I will not be shocked if Danny uses him in a trade but not for a current star.  Cap issues limit those type of moves.  I forgot which poster mentioned this but a trade with Orlando may provide an opportunity to move into the top 5 in the draft.  Boston may have to take back a small contract to make it work.

The Celtics may be able to secure a center.  The Magic are in desperate need of a  PG and Terry is ready to be  starter.

I would hate to lose Terry Rozier but if trading him allows the Celtics to add the missing piece then that is an option that should be considered.

I think the Celtics target should be Bamba.  We need a shot blocking level rim protector.

The Kings pick next year is the likely best one available.  This is the year to draft a big so the King pick if kept and used next year probably does not get you a quality center.

I could also make a strong argument that the Celtics should not trade Terry.

The good news is that Danny doesn't have to do anything except let the chips fall where they may. An argument can be made for the team being one piece short and that piece is named Gordon. Doesn't address the persistent call for a shot blocking big. Is Theis worth half a chip?

TRo wants to be a starter in the NBA. Does he want that more than perennial trips to the NBA Finals? He will be a lot more expendable/tradeable on a new contract. He would be a perfect candidate for a sign and trade. But then we would need a backup ball handler.

If we go to the Finals this season it will be even more difficult to let any of the core group go.

If we only get as far as the ECF then we will know more if next year's promise is met by a combo of Baynes, Horford, Theis, an emerging Dancing Bear and whoever replaces Monroe. Those are not bad and skilless bigs.

The draft or a serviceable vet like the addition of Baynes and Theis, and/or a promising big like Ante was, and we at least equal this season with our emerging wing dominance of the NBA.

Danny is an "anything is possible" kind of guy. He always errs on the side of the undersized go getter type. He may continue that trend or he may blow the whole thing up. He has already sent the message that getting to the ECF is not good enuf to secure your roster spot. Gotta love Danny!

But one thing is clear. It is getting more and more difficult to upgrade any one position on this roster. That good and that deep. The evidence is already in.

dboss wrote:I will not be shocked if Danny uses him in a trade but not for a current star.  Cap issues limit those type of moves.  I forgot which poster mentioned this but a trade with Orlando may provide an opportunity to move into the top 5 in the draft.  Boston may have to take back a small contract to make it work.

The Celtics may be able to secure a center.  The Magic are in desperate need of a  PG and Terry is ready to be  starter.

I would hate to lose Terry Rozier but if trading him allows the Celtics to add the missing piece then that is an option that should be considered.

I think the Celtics target should be Bamba.  We need a shot blocking level rim protector.

The Kings pick next year is the likely best one available.  This is the year to draft a big so the King pick if kept and used next year probably does not get you a quality center.

I could also make a strong argument that the Celtics should not trade Terry.

dboss,

You've identified what I think is the big Celtic dilemma. And it's not just Rozier.  We've got nothing but young players, except Horford, and several have quickly built value. I think you can identify at least six of our starter-quality youngsters that could make sense in a deal for a big or a higher pick. Add a couple draft picks we have to the mix.

As a fan, I don't want any of these guys to go anywhere but Boston. But, and I've said this before, it makes too much sense not to deal and get the final pieces needed for long-term contender status.

I don't know who, but I think it will happen. I'm looking at it like getting your annual flu shot. This is going to sting for a minute, but you're going to be better off for it.

Of course, Scary Terry doesn't have to leave to become a starting NBA point guard. Just sayin'.

Regards