Let’s just say the Boston Celtics didn’t end the season how they wanted to. Why don’t we also throw in that Terry Rozier didn’t hold anything back going on shows with ESPN? As NBA fans, we all know the Celtics underachieved and there was some resentment between teammates. Some felt like the pressure was too much, some felt like they didn’t experience enough pressure. And then there is some that seem so done with the team that he literally put everything on the table and burned all bridges.
It is clear frustrations were built up to the moment where Rozier wanted to be the first one to let feelings out. While guys like Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Morris had nothing but nice things to say or apologies to give, Rozier felt a different way. Understandable, given the circumstances, I’m about to explain.
Scary Terry is Born
The young man born in Youngstown, Ohio was drafted 16th overall in the first round by the Boston Celtics. Entering this team, it was filled with guards. Essentially there was no time for the young, energetic point guard to see the court. He was sent to the G-League multiple times throughout his rookie year, the road wasn’t easy. Basically what I’m getting at is that nothing was given to Rozier, if he wanted to see playing time he’d have to earn it.
By 2018, Rozier and Stevens built trust with each other and things seemed to be going in a great direction. Rozier was making big plays in the season and on January 31st, he would see his first start. He was phenomenal, getting a triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. He would find himself in games where he was getting 30 points and being the leading scorer. Once the playoffs rolled around and Kyrie Irving would be out, Rozier would be the starter.
After the battle between Rozier and Bledsoe is started to become clear who he was. His name was on full display, and he made sure to come through in big moments. Like the step-back three to take the lead in game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Or the three’s he was draining in game 2 against the Philadelphia 76ers. Even against the Cleveland Cavaliers Rozier had his moments. But he built Scary Terry that 2018 postseason. He made sure everyone in that arena he was playing in knew Terry Rozier.
Rozier Explosion
This past season, he went back to the reserve role, a back-up Point Guard position if you will. By the looks of things, you knew it was going to be rough for Rozier. In terms of taking a backseat, it was clear he didn’t take it well from the jump. It’s clear he wants no part of it moving forward, and he will burn every bridge to do so.
He said after losing Game 5 against the Bucks, “I feel like I sacrificed the most, but I’d do it any day for this team.” Rozier continued to say, “A lot of things weren’t fair to me, but it’s not about me. That’s why I don’t [expletive] and complain.” Now that sounds like a guy whose built-up frustrations exploded to the point of no return. He held off comments for as long as he could, dating back to a game against the Magic where he only got 15 minutes. Rozier said time and time again that coach has a difficult job dealing with coaching this team.
He then did the rounds at ESPN, telling shows “Get Up!” and “First Take” what exactly happened behind the scenes. Rozier seems frustrated with everybody, from Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward to coaching staff. Saying rotations weren’t changing, to not being able to be himself and so many other complaints. He might have a point, but then again he might not at all.
Does Terry Rozier Have a Point?
Honestly, I go back-and-forth on this topic. When Irving had his worst postseason ever, I snapped as a fan. He said all the wrong things this season, and it gave guys like Rozier merit to explode in an angry fashion like this. With that being said, I’m not sure it’s going to help Rozier’s case of being a starting Point Guard on a new team.
With these types of interviews comes off a bunch of questions. Are you going to make losing streaks a huge problem in the locker room? Will there be accountability on your part when the team struggles? We won’t know until it happens, and there will definitely be a team that takes a chance on Rozier. I think he has earned that right to get paid. He has also earned the right to be criticized when he stunk, and this year he was bad.
He felt Irving and Hayward were given All-Star treatment, and my response to that is “Well, duh.” Rozier has seemed to struggle with the concept of sacrificing, because if there was one guy that sacrificed it was Jaylen Brown. Rozier definitely did, but only in minutes. He still got touches and still had his opportunities. He read his role wrong, he wanted to be Lou Williams. Rozier isn’t “Lou from the 6,” he took lousy shots all year and didn’t play like a team guy.
Scary Terry’s Future
Terry Rozier will be a starting Point Guard on a team. Although his complaints are mostly delusional, I can’t help but sympathize with him. When we look at Rozier and Irving as starting Point Guards for the Celtics… Rozier had the better run. He shot better, he moved the ball around better and never once carried around this negative energy. Now obviously, Irving is the better basketball player, not a question. But Rozier may have the right to feel like he deserved more minutes.
He is a young kid with a lot of growing up to do. I think Rozier handled this in the worst way possible, he should have stayed silent. But it wouldn’t have shocked me if any of the young guys felt this way. Brad Stevens was awful in handling ego’s and Irving’s leadership ability was non-existent. Still, Rozier could have respectfully bowed-out of the Celtics and not gone on this smear campaign.
I think he has loads of potential to be an exciting starting player on a team. But this showed either Rozier played selfish all year long, or the Celtics locker-room issues are a bigger problem than we realize. Come the 2019-2020 season, we are about to find out who was right (for the record I hope they both succeed, I love Terry Rozier).
