1. Build off last year’s success
There’s no question that last year was Rozier’s best season in his three-year career. Each year he has been able to participate in more games. If the Celtics struggle due to injuries again in 2018-19, Rozier has already proven he can step up as the starting point guard.
He may not get a crack in the starting lineup as long as Irving is healthy, but if he continues to improve and work hard, he will be successful. In any case, the likelihood of Irving getting hurt again is high. After all, he’s never once played a full season, and has only reached the 70-game threshold in three of his seven NBA seasons.
Last season, Rozier only averaged 11.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game, but those stats don’t tell the full picture because it was a mix of his starting and bench stats. As a starter, he was a different player.
He was able to average 15.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.6 blocks per game when he played with the starting five. Clearly he has the ability to be a starter one day and that day should be coming soon, whether it’s in Boston or with another team. Obviously, playing with the starters and getting more minutes plays a role in his success.
In the playoffs he earned the nickname “Scary Terry.” He did some great things for Boston, averaging 16.5 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, improving from the regular season when the lights were brighter.
He may be coming off the bench for now, but his time to start will be coming soon. Irving is likely to be out a few games this season and Rozier must capitalize on that opportunity. If he can get others involved, continue to shoot well from 3 and build off of last year’s success, then he is in line for a good season and could even succeed Irving as the starting point guard depending on what happens in free agency next summer.