Charlotte Hornets: 2019-20 NBA season preview
Storyline #2: Can Rozier have a big impact for the Hornets?
There’s a lot of pressure and scrutiny on Terry Rozier as he takes over the starting point guard duties from fan favorite Kemba Walker. $58 million over three years will bring that scrutiny when a beloved star leaves the only team they’ve known.
So what version of Terry Rozier will the Hornets get? If they get the 2017-18 playoff version of Rozier, it won’t be all bad. In 19 playoff starts in place of the injured Kyrie Irving, Rozier posted 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.
In the 2018-19 playoffs, Rozier didn’t start and only played 18 minutes per game over 9 games. He put up just 6.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. The regular season wasn’t much better either, as his scoring was up at 9.0 points per game to go with 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
Rozier was able to start on 14 occasions last season but had mixed results. He scored over 20 points in three of those starts but didn’t manage to hit double-digit point totals in five of those contests. In all, he averaged 13.1 points over the course of his starts last season.
If given the minutes, there’s no question Scary Terry has the ability to pour in buckets. But can he do it on a nightly basis? In limited starts, he has yet to show that. His consistency from the field is much to be desired as well.
In 2017-18, he shot 39.5 percent from the field, including 38.1 percent from beyond the arc. Last season he hit just 38.7 percent of his shots and did even worse shooting the 3-ball, dipping to 35. percent.
There’s no question Rozier has big shoes to fill, but he doesn’t seem to be intimated too much.
Speaking to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, Rozier simply states he doesn’t want the comparisons to Walker. He stated to Bonnell that he’s in Charlotte to take a starting role after sitting behind two All-Star point guards in Boston.
"Over four seasons in Boston, Rozier backed up two All-Star point guards in Isaiah Thomas and Kyrie Irving. He says he learned a lot from both about his craft but it was time to stop being an apprentice."
Rozier will bring a defensive element to the Hornets that wasn’t as prevalent with Walker all the time. There is a big gap to fill and Rozier seems eager to prove his doubters wrong.