Terry Rozier has shown much more poise thus far in Summer League compared to when he was at college, and the Celtics couldn't be happier. The 6-foot-1 rookie has continued to make strides throughout the summer, but he's most notable game came against Thursday’s 91-85 over the Portland Trailblazers in the Celtic's first playoff game in Las Vegas.
He scored Boston’s final eight points of regulation to turn what was a tie ballgame into a six-point win. Rozier relished the opportunity to take the biggest shot in the game and that confidence is something he doesn't lack.
“I know I have the ultimate eye of confidence to take a shot down the stretch if a coach needs me to do it,” said Rozier. “I’m not afraid of taking big shots and things like that. It’s a 50-50 chance. It might go in, it might not, but I’m not scared to take it.”
With Marcus Smart going down early in the first half due to a right hand injury that was later determined to be a dislocation to both his right index finger and ring finger, all eyes were on Rozier to make a big time play, and he delivered.
"I knew he was all up on me, but I didn't know how much time was left," Rozier said as he recalled his game-winning shot. "We were kind of winding down the shot clock, so I just wanted to get it up and get a high arc and it dropped".
Celtics' summer league coach Micah Shrewsberry had the ultimate faith in Rozier down the stretch in a tight game, but he wasn't surprised by Rozier's clutch performance.
“I’m sure he’s had opportunities like that at Louisville before,” he said. “And that’s why he didn’t seem rattled when we called his number out of a timeout and told him, ‘Hey, we need a bucket right here.’”
Rozier will continue to showcase his skills, but with that will come mistakes as he's adjusting to the NBA level and he's a young guard. However, the more he displays an all-round game, the better Rozier and the Celtics will be in the future.
And with that, he'll continue to prove his doubters wrong.