Boston Celtics: 3 candidates for a breakout season in 2018-19

2. Terry Rozier

Terry Rozier has proven to be an explosive scorer since entering the league in 2015-16, but it wasn’t until the injury curse struck down on the Celtics that he got his opportunity for an extended NBA role.

Averaging just 12.5 minutes per game and zero starts over his first two campaigns, Rozier exploded to average 25.9 per contest in 2018-19.

That extended role culminated in 16 regular season starts for the former No. 16 overall selection, including a triple-double in his first, though that was just the beginning.

The ‘Scary Terry’ moniker was born during the 2018 postseason, as Rozier destroyed the more heralded Eric Bledsoe in the first round, and forged a bond with Drew Bledsoe in the process.

Averaging 16.5 points and 5.7 assists during the playoffs, he became the latest in a slew of Celtics cult figures emerging from the current core.

The arrival of Rozier kept the Celtics afloat through the injury carnage that ensued, and despite being asked to shoulder a significantly advanced role, his confidence never wavered.

In the fourth year of his rookie deal with Boston, Rozier will be in line for a pay day at the conclusion of this season. With Kyrie Irving’s free agency also pending, there would appear to be a significant decision to be made at the point guard spot on the horizon.

Without doubt, the C’s are stacked at the guard spots, but Rozier has well and truly cemented his spot in the rotation . Given how impressive he was in the playoffs, it’s hard to imagine him not taking another significant step on his way to signing a handsome contract next summer.