Celtics Green 10/26: Terry Rozier Ready to Fill in for Marcus Smart
Boston Celtics second-year guard Terry Rozier is ready to step up and fill in for Marcus Smart.
With Marcus Smart estimated to miss the first week of the NBA regular season, second-year guard Terry Rozier will be one of the young players Celtics coach Brad Stevens will count on to step in for Smart.
Rozier, who is already yearning to increase his role this season, has looked great in the preseason and will be looking to translate his play to the regular season. Furthermore, withSmart out, he will have a great opportunity to show he belongs in the regular rotation.
"“One of our main keys off the bench is not playing, so it’s a bigger opportunity for me to step up,” Rozier said via Celtics.com. “I just gotta be ready tomorrow for when my number’s called; be ready to take care of business and help my team be in a good position to win.”"
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Rozier is coming off a rookie season in which playing time was scarce. An injury to Avery Bradley in the playoffs did give him some necessary experience. That experience, along with his hard work in the off season, has shown immensely in his play during the preseason.
He averaged 20.1 points per 36 minutes. Any continuance of that and the Celtics may have a contender for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. Isaiah Thomas definitely likes what he sees.
"“Terry has shown he’s ready for the opportunity,” said Thomas. “He worked very hard this summer and I’m proud of him because I’ve been in that position before. He’s been waiting for the opportunity, so I think he’ll be ready.”"
Notes & quotes
#Sagerstrong: In a classy move, the Boston Celtics wore colorful “Sager Strong” T-shirts at practice Tuesday to honor longtime NBA broadcaster Craig Sager, who is battling leukemia.
Why the colorful t-shirts? Sager is known for his colorful wardrobe, so wearing the t-shirts is a showcase of support and loyalty or a man who means a lot to the NBA. Isaiah Thomas put it nicely:
"“A guy that means a lot to this game of basketball. A guy who means a lot to the NBA, the NBA family. And we just wish him well, and we’re praying for him and his family daily.”"
Marcus Smart: The Celtics will not have Marcus Smart to start the season. The feisty guard gave an update on the status of his sprained ankle following practice on Tuesday. He told reporters it will be “a couple weeks” from the time the injury occurred. The team does want to be careful not to that he doesn’t rush back too soon and risk prolonging the injury.
Related Story: Boston Celtics Guard Marcus Smart Out Two Weeks To Start Season
Isaiah Thomas on Brooklyn Nets draft picks via Masslive:
"“I worry about scoring the ball, getting my teammates involved and winning games. I don’t know nothing about those first-round picks. And I wasn’t a first-round pick so I don’t care about first-rounders.”"
Marcus Smart on helping Terry Rozier via Celtics.com:
"“One of the perks about me (is) I’m able to coach guys off the court even if I’m not playing. That’s one thing that my coaches and my teammates love about me and it’s just something unique about myself – that I’m able to stay engaged even when I’m not on the floor.”"
Next: Isaiah Thomas: Boston Celtics ‘Could Be Special’
The Celtics will open the 2016-17 NBA season Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets.