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Boston Celtics: Terry Rozier’s Time to Shine

By Joshua Bateman

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 24: Terry Rozier#12 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the LA Clippers on January 24, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 24: Terry Rozier#12 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the LA Clippers on January 24, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Terry Rozier has a great opportunity to step up with Marcus Smart out

The Boston Celtics just found out that Marcus Smart will miss two weeks with his injured hand. Smart has an impact on this team that no one else is going to be able to replace. His defensive versatility is not something that you will find anywhere else, and the Celtics cannot expect to have that impact.

That being said, the Celtics feel good about their guard depth, and they have seen both Terry Rozier and Shane Larkin bring timely spark multiple times this season. Larkin’s role will be transformed, but Rozier will be taking most of the responsibility.

Rozier may not have the size and versatility, but can handle himself on defense. He always makes a difference on the boards and is comfortable playing more time with the ball in his hands. This does mean the Celtics will not be able to play small ball as well, but Rozier will also be getting good minutes off the ball with the starters.

Unfortunately, we still cannot trust Rozier as a shooter, but he was able to have an impact scoring without hitting the three against the Clippers. Rozier has great athleticism and loves pushing the ball in the paint. The Celtics probably have been relying a bit too much on the three ball lately, and Rozier could spend more time in the paint than Smart would.

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What is most important for Rozier is making sure he can facilitate properly, and that is how he can really take advantage of this opportunity. Rozier will never be the passer that Smart is, but he will be able to push the pace, and generate more opportunities that are easy buckets.

Rozier has been incredibly inconsistent this year, but if he is at his best, or at least like he was against the Clippers, the Celtics will get past this Smart injury without a problem.

Rozier is not going to replace he impact that Smart has, but this is going to be his best opportunity of the season to truly showcase that full impact that he can have. Rozier often gets lost on the bench. He consistently gets a role, but his inconsistent play often takes away any opportunity he has at getting into rhythm.

With Smart out, he is going to be the one needed to set the rhythm for the second unit, and he needs to be comfortable with the starters. If Rozier hurts that first unit in any way, then his minutes could quickly disappear. That being said, he will have a great opportunity to get easier opportunities.

With the second unit, Rozier’s job is going to get harder and more important. When he is getting those minutes with the starters, he could start to show Stevens things that will get him important minutes in the playoffs.

Next: Brad Stevens is Making Danny Ainge Look Good

The exact kind of role Rozier will have is still to be determined. He is one of the players that is relatively undefined, and has room to grow and space to recede. The Celtics hate to lose Smart, especially with how close the Raptors are in the standings right now. The bright side is that they have an opportunity to find something new by increasing the roles of these backup guards.

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