Terry Rozier showcased his ability to be a starting point guard in the NBA during last season’s playoffs, yet he’s stuck behind Kyrie Irving in Boston. Rozier’s future with the club remains unclear, as he will be a restricted free agent after the season. During an appearance on Rick Pitino’s podcast, he spoke about his desire to run with the first team.
“I’m going into my fifth year after this, so I would love to start,” Rozier told Pitino (via Darren Hartwell of NBC Sports). “Nothing is wrong with being the sixth man coming off the bench, but I don’t really look at myself as that. But that’s not my main focus. Of course I want to win. I’ve been a winner all my life, coming through your program and then being with the Boston Celtics.
“I like winning. I don’t know how I can adjust if I try to take a starting job somewhere but I’m playing for an awful team and we’re not winning no more. It’s just something that I don’t think that I can adjust to — being around people that’s OK with just losing.”
Rozier said he wants to keep his options open. “I feel like I’ve seen a lot in these four years how much a business this is. I think I should get everything I deserve,” he explained.
GM Danny Ainge is a huge fan of Rozier, though it will difficult for the Celtics to pay top dollar for a player who won’t be able to crack the starting five. That scenario assumes Irving stays put, as the former No. 1 pick stated he would. Should Irving change course and depart as a free agent this summer, Scary Terry may be able to find “everything” he’s looking for without leaving town.
I get his frustration, but hes gotta realize he isnt coming off the bench cuz hes bad, hes coming off the bench cuz he has kyrie irving on his team. Embrace that and you will either win titles or cash in on potential.
right now the celtics fastest line up
pg kyrie
sg rozie
sf tatum
pf mook
c baynes
So he wants to start for a contending team, not just for a bad team, basically he is a superstar PG then, SMH
I am all for him starting, but you start anywhere they want you or take you, we all want the best of everything, but as we know he can be a good starter, we don’t know if he can be a good starter for a contending team, so go anywhere start & show you can & then you get your big team if you that good.
Phx bound
As much as I like Scary Terry, I think he’s a little delusional. Guy does shoot under 40% from the field in his career, and he’s not a big playmaker. Don’t get me wrong, I would take him on my Knicks in a hot second, but that is exactly what he doesn’t want. Look at the true contenders and tell me who he replaces:
Raptors- Lowry (no)
Sixers – Simmons (no)
Bucks – Bledsoe (no)
Rockets – Paul (no)
Grizz – Conley (no)
Warriors – Curry (no)
If he’s interested in going to a team like Indy who he could improve to a point where they’re only a small step below the true contenders, then I see a starting gig for him. With a true contender though, not now.
Grizz contenders? JAJAJAJA
Interesting… Dionis’ 1st language is probably Espanol?
Memphis is tied for the 10th best record in the NBA. So there’s that.
If you go by reverse standings alone for non-lottery teams you need to look at the rosters for Next year…
Bucks – Brogdon (no b/c he’ll cost much less)
Denver – Murray (no)
Clippers – SGA/Bradley (no)
OKC – Westbrook (no)
Detroit – Jackson (yes but won’t overpay two PGs)
Kings – Fox (no)
So only spot for ‘current contenders’ are:
Indiana – Yes no PG on the roster
Orlando – Augustin (yes)
Magic contenders?? Nyet nyet nyet nyet nyet!
Magic are a non-lottery team right now. Today, so in the East that’s contending.
he would be a welcome addition in chicago. i love dunn but rozier wants it more
Pacers don’t need him. Holliday is our next PG. Rozier needs to be told: there is no I in the word: team
Pitino gets a job…he goes and gets Rozier.
Who hires rick? Lakers? LBJ would hate that…pitino would be in his face!
I doubt Pitino is getting an nba job anytime soon. Doesn’t matter what he says lol
Well he sure as heck ain’t welcome in Boston again.
Still think he will have to go to a “non-contender” to play more. He’s a really good 6th man. But that’s what he is. A 6th man. He goes to Phoenix or maybe even Minnesota to replace Teague.
As much as it is good for Rozier to set his sights high, it is more important for him to show himself to be a true team player for the team he’s on. Rozier, who is a very good guy, has not really shown that this year.
He’s always trying to hit home runs in order to live up to his reputation from last year, and most of the time he wiffs. This makes him less valuable to the team and makes it less likely he’ll achieve his goals.
This interview just unintentionally enhances the perception that he’s in it for himself first. That may be true of everyone, but real maturity means not showing it.