In the fallout of the Avery Bradley trade, Celtic faithful are discovering the front office’s vision for the roster.
Boston wants to play head coach Brad Steven’s brand of positionless basketball with three wings and a big surrounding All-NBA point guard Isaiah Thomas.
In this model, positions are fluid, but roles are defined.
While Boston’s offseason has addressed the importance of two-way play on the wing, it has failed to address the backup point guard spot. Marcus Smart fills this role on paper, but does not as Steven’s ideal “ball-handler.” The Oklahoma State product is still an offensively limited player, unable to create offense for himself off the bounce.
Smart is a valuable contributor and the best on-ball perimeter defender in Boston. His minutes are likely to increase in the wake of Bradley’s absence, but Smart has likely been shifted into a secondary playmaker role off the bench.
Even if Steven’s staggers minutes to keep one of Thomas and Gordon Hayward on the floor at all times, there is still debate over who deserves backup minutes at the 1.
Enter Terry Rozier.
Granted, Rozier has struggled in operating the pick and roll early on in his career. He is also lacking as a passer, and shoots a low percentage in the restricted area for someone so athletic.
However, the third-year guard flashed his potential in the playoffs, showcasing a controlled handled and ability to shoot.
Rozier finished the postseason a +/- per 100 possessions of 10.1, a massive improvement from his rookie campaign. Rozier’s gravity as a shooter opened up driving lanes for Boston’s other ball handlers. If Rozier can build on the strength of these performances, he has the opportunity to become the most improved players on the roster.
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Although Rozier also shot an impressive 14/38 from 3, he must improve his finishing at the rim to increase his effectiveness as a ball handler. The athleticism and dribble moves are there. Rozier is able to get into the paint and find himself a shot both within the flow of the offense and in isolation.
In the modern NBA, the lead ball handler must be able of shooting 3s and initiating the drive-and-kick sequence. On Boston’s roster, Rozier is the only guard with both of these attributes.
Rozier’s shooting allows him to play off ball in almost any lineup, but if his playmaking improves, he has the potential to turn into a key member of the rotation.
As fans saw in the playoffs, Rozier has the upside to impact the game on both ends of the court. While his spot in the rotation may be in flux, the backup ball handler role lets Rozier maximize his athletic gifts and hone his craft.
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The summer is crucial for Rozier to insert himself into the Celtics long-term plans. While the focus is on his development as a playmaker and defender, spotting minutes as a backup ball handler lets him use the most of his talents.