Hoops Habit
Fansided

Boston Celtics Rookie Profile: Terry Rozier

By Eric Laboissonniere

Dec 20, 2014; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Terry Rozier (0) keeps the ball away from Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard T.J. Price (52) during the second half at E.A. Diddle Arena. Louisville Cardinals won 76-67. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2014; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Terry Rozier (0) keeps the ball away from Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard T.J. Price (52) during the second half at E.A. Diddle Arena. Louisville Cardinals won 76-67. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Boston Celtics shocked many people around the NBA when they selected Terry Rozier with the No. 16 pick at the 2015 NBA Draft. Rozier was definitely going to be drafted by some team either in the late first-round or early second, but no one expected Rozier to be taken in the top 20 because there was still a plethora of talented draft picks still on the board. General Manager Danny Ainge was really intrigued by Rozier, which is why he decided to take him earlier than later.

ALSO ON HOOPSHABIT: 25 Best Players To Play For The Celtics

Now that all the draft chatter has died down, one big question remains about Rozier; will he have an impact on the Celtics immediately next season?

Rozier profile

Rozier is a 6-foot-1 point guard who had an impressive career at the University of Louisville under coach Rick Pitino. He has a great motor, and he is more of a defensive-minded point guard, like Marcus Smart, who was the Celtics’ lottery pick in the 2014 NBA draft. Rozier is very similar to Smart because neither player is offensive-minded, and neither player is a great shooter. That is something Rozier must improve on if he wants to play for the Celtics in the near future; Smart has made a leap with his shooting from his college years to his rookie season in the NBA. The Celtics are hopeful that Rozier can do the same because the Celtics do need perimeter shooting from their backcourt.

Rozier is good on the defensive end, which is good news for coach Brad Stevens and the Celtics, but he needs to be more consistent on the offensive end. Rozier did have a nice stint in the NBA Summer League as the floor general, but it is hard to believe he will get much playing time during next season because the Celtics have way too many guards in their backcourt.

Rozier’s future outlook?

Rozier has obviously not played a game in the NBA yet, and he might not play in one next season, but he does have time to grow as an offensive guard and floor general in the NBA D-League next year. Rozier is way too much like Smart, and there is no need for two of them to play in the Celtics’ backcourt rotation next season, unless Rozier can find a consistent long-range jumper.

The Celtics did turn many heads with the pick of Rozier, but the Celtics do like players with a motor and heart like Rozier. He is going to give 100 percent every game and on every play, which is why he could have a successful career and future with the Celtics, but he is not ready to play in the NBA just yet. His offensive game must develop before he starts to be a part of the Celtics backcourt rotation, or the Celtics need to trade away one of their many guards.

Rozier could have been a steal at No. 16, or he could be a disastrous pick since there was still so much talent on the board at that time. Time will tell whether the early pick of Rozier was worth it or not, but the Celtics might not know for a little while.

Next: NBA Draft: Best Player Ever Selected in all 60 Spots

More from Hoops Habit

Home/Boston Celtics