Is it just me or am I only the one impressed with how good Rozier looks?

[TheTruthFot18]

hated the pick draft day.

Liking it more every day.

Ainge knows what he is doing.

Same. I think the entire problem with the pick was that we used #16 on him, not so much that we picked him.

Not going nuts over pre-season stats but he has done better than most in his draft class, including those drafted ahead of him. Not bad considering he came in after the draft behind at least three players earning starter minutes.

P.S. Bobby Portis is doing really well in pre-season. At 16 I wanted Portis, Dekkar, or Anderson.

[danglertx]

I'm just going to throw this out there.  I know haters will come in here and say blah blah small sample size, blah blah never been done in the history of history, BUT... if he continues to shoot 75% on threes for the rest of his career, first ballot HoFer. 

Discuss...

[jambr380]

I mentioned in another thread that if Rozier plays well enough to gain more minutes, Turner, Smart and AB could be affected. I like the fact that we have a guy who, maybe not this season, could take over the ball handling, score points and fit with this team.

CBS has a few things to watch this season. Who does Rozier work best with? Who, from Smart, AB and Rozier goes (with IT here surely only two could stay).

It would be great if Rozier proved to be an NBA ready player. I expect it will take a season and the mix will sort itself out about All Star time. There is a lot to be positive about for the future.

Lets say Rozier makes slow but sure strides this year.  Assume all the guards approve as well (Smart, AB, RJ, IT).  In two years when a big star becomes available, I would offer IT as part of the package, not the younger, taller guys.  We depend on IT now.  I dream of a day when the rest of our offense is sound and IT (and his defensive challenges) become expendable.  With Trader Danny in the mix, I don't see IT playing out his contract here, and that could be a very good thing depending on who we get in return.  Ok, fire away.

I could see Ainge fast tracking the process, trading Smart/picks this year for a superstar.  If he's confident Rozier can be a 25mpg pg behind IT, might make sense.

I fully expect to see Smart traded...which is a little upsetting. But, if Ainge actually is able to bring in a star/superstar player, then it will make it a lot easier to let go.

[PhoSita]

I mentioned in another thread that if Rozier plays well enough to gain more minutes, Turner, Smart and AB could be affected. I like the fact that we have a guy who, maybe not this season, could take over the ball handling, score points and fit with this team.

CBS has a few things to watch this season. Who does Rozier work best with? Who, from Smart, AB and Rozier goes (with IT here surely only two could stay).

It would be great if Rozier proved to be an NBA ready player. I expect it will take a season and the mix will sort itself out about All Star time. There is a lot to be positive about for the future.

Lets say Rozier makes slow but sure strides this year.  Assume all the guards approve as well (Smart, AB, RJ, IT).  In two years when a big star becomes available, I would offer IT as part of the package, not the younger, taller guys.  We depend on IT now.  I dream of a day when the rest of our offense is sound and IT (and his defensive challenges) become expendable.  With Trader Danny in the mix, I don't see IT playing out his contract here, and that could be a very good thing depending on who we get in return.  Ok, fire away.

I could see Ainge fast tracking the process, trading Smart/picks this year for a superstar.  If he's confident Rozier can be a 25mpg pg behind IT, might make sense.

I fully expect to see Smart traded...which is a little upsetting. But, if Ainge actually is able to bring in a star/superstar player, then it will make it a lot easier to let go.

Eh, who out there is worth trading Smart for?

I still don't buy that Cousins is going anywhere before next summer at the earliest (and even that still seems too early given the Vivek factor), and Melo is not good enough to make it worth giving up a bundle for him unless we already have at least one other main guy in place.

At this point the most likely course to securing an honest to goodness core for this team, I think, is to continue developing Smart, try to find at least one key piece in the draft next summer via the picks from Brooklyn and Dallas, and then hope that somebody worth talking about gives the Celtics some consideration in free agency next summer or the summer after that.

With Smart, a 2016 top 10 pick, and a key free agent e.g. Al Horford, or perhaps Nic Batum coming off a bounce back year in Charlotte, maybe then Ainge starts to look at trading a bundle of picks and younger guys for a finishing piece.

[max215]

I mentioned in another thread that if Rozier plays well enough to gain more minutes, Turner, Smart and AB could be affected. I like the fact that we have a guy who, maybe not this season, could take over the ball handling, score points and fit with this team.

CBS has a few things to watch this season. Who does Rozier work best with? Who, from Smart, AB and Rozier goes (with IT here surely only two could stay).

It would be great if Rozier proved to be an NBA ready player. I expect it will take a season and the mix will sort itself out about All Star time. There is a lot to be positive about for the future.

Lets say Rozier makes slow but sure strides this year.  Assume all the guards approve as well (Smart, AB, RJ, IT).  In two years when a big star becomes available, I would offer IT as part of the package, not the younger, taller guys.  We depend on IT now.  I dream of a day when the rest of our offense is sound and IT (and his defensive challenges) become expendable.  With Trader Danny in the mix, I don't see IT playing out his contract here, and that could be a very good thing depending on who we get in return.  Ok, fire away.

I could see Ainge fast tracking the process, trading Smart/picks this year for a superstar.  If he's confident Rozier can be a 25mpg pg behind IT, might make sense.

I fully expect to see Smart traded...which is a little upsetting. But, if Ainge actually is able to bring in a star/superstar player, then it will make it a lot easier to let go.

Eh, who out there is worth trading Smart for?

I still don't buy that Cousins is going anywhere before next summer at the earliest (and even that still seems too early given the Vivek factor), and Melo is not good enough to make it worth giving up a bundle for him unless we already have at least one other main guy in place.

At this point the most likely course to securing an honest to goodness core for this team, I think, is to continue developing Smart, try to find at least one key piece in the draft next summer via the picks from Brooklyn and Dallas, and then hope that somebody worth talking about gives the Celtics some consideration in free agency next summer or the summer after that.

With Smart, a 2016 top 10 pick, and a key free agent e.g. Al Horford, or perhaps Nic Batum coming off a bounce back year in Charlotte, maybe then Ainge starts to look at trading a bundle of picks and younger guys for a finishing piece.

Of the players who I could see potentially being available, probably only Boogie and Paul George. I think Love may become available, but I wouldn't give up Smart for him. And of course, if KD somehow becomes available then I'd happily trade Smart for him.

Edit: There are probably some elite prospects who I'd trade Smart for as well: Wiggins, Towns, Giannis, Parker.

[showtime]

 He's already better then Smart. He needs to play now!!

[Snakehead]

I really like him too.  He seems to have a killer mentality and he certainly has elite athleticism.  His jumper is not bad at all either.  His potential is very high.

[nickagneta]

A major portion of this blog has been drooling over RJ Hunter and have predicted he would get rotational minutes and that Rozier would go to the NBDL. But I am with the OP. I think Rozier has been the standout rookie going all the way back to Summer League. He's been hitting his shots, something Hunter hasn't done, he has run the offense well, has made good passes and set up his team mates extremely well. And his defense has been very good.

I don't know if he gets rotational minutes unless there is an injury or a trade but I do see him sticking with the team and not heading down to Maine. I think you'll see a lot of Rozier in blowout games and games in which IT and Smart both get into foul trouble.

Rozier y.is capable of making basketball moves out there but he doesn't have the same poise or where abouts that RJ has. Maybe that's solved by getting him minutes to gain that experience but at this point in their rookie year, RJ is ahead of Rozier as far being NBA ready.

If Stevens gives Rozier minutes, its because of his potential.

Sorry. Just don't see it. RJ does some good things out there but he does some not so good things out there as well. Same for Rozier. Where Hunter might be anticipating stuff more now and reacting faster, Rozier has the physical tools to get to places quicker, probably even in season when things count. Rozier is a better passer and to this point looks to be the better shooter. Hunter has nice form but hasn't hit above 31% on his threes going back to last year and all the way through Summer League and preseason.

Rozier, IMHO, has outplayed Hunter in just about every facet of the game in the 3 games I have watched this preseason. And as far as I am concerned Rozier has the higher ceiling.

[KeepRondo]

A major portion of this blog has been drooling over RJ Hunter and have predicted he would get rotational minutes and that Rozier would go to the NBDL. But I am with the OP. I think Rozier has been the standout rookie going all the way back to Summer League. He's been hitting his shots, something Hunter hasn't done, he has run the offense well, has made good passes and set up his team mates extremely well. And his defense has been very good.

I don't know if he gets rotational minutes unless there is an injury or a trade but I do see him sticking with the team and not heading down to Maine. I think you'll see a lot of Rozier in blowout games and games in which IT and Smart both get into foul trouble.

Rozier y.is capable of making basketball moves out there but he doesn't have the same poise or where abouts that RJ has. Maybe that's solved by getting him minutes to gain that experience but at this point in their rookie year, RJ is ahead of Rozier as far being NBA ready.

If Stevens gives Rozier minutes, its because of his potential.

Sorry. Just don't see it. RJ does some good things out there but he does some not so good things out there as well. Same for Rozier. Where Hunter might be anticipating stuff more now and reacting faster, Rozier has the physical tools to get to places quicker, probably even in season when things count. Rozier is a better passer and to this point looks to be the better shooter. Hunter has nice form but hasn't hit above 31% on his threes going back to last year and all the way through Summer League and preseason.

Rozier, IMHO, has outplayed Hunter in just about every facet of the game in the 3 games I have watched this preseason. And as far as I am concerned Rozier has the higher ceiling.

This may be an interesting story line as the season gets going. Both of these guys should get minutes to develop but there may only be enough for one.

At this early point, I see things differently then you. I see Hunter as the better passer. Rozier may be quicker, but he seems to be rushing which is normal for a rookie. Also, Rozier may have gone on a shooting streak, but RJ has much better form and will probably end up being the better shooter. The only part of RJ's game that I think needs improvement right away, is his quick release. He is not squaring up or getting set before shooting some of these threes.

[SHAQATTACK]

I think he is more poised than LA's. Russell

[HomerSapien]

I expect Rozier to struggle with turnovers and decision making once the regular season starts, though I like the talent he has shown in flashes from SL and preseason, and won't be surprised if he's getting some rotation minutes in the latter half of the year.

If he does look like a quickly developing future starter before the trade deadline this season, however, that will open up a TON of options for the Celtics.  He or Smart could be the key young player involved in a player plus picks trade for a disgruntled star. 

Can't wait for real games so we can start to see how real/delusional these ideas are.

[DesertDweller]

Up until the last two games I hated this pick but I have to admit he looks pretty smooth.

[csfansince60s]

Up until the last two games I hated this pick but I have to admit he looks pretty smooth.

Especially in crunch time last night vs Knicks with those dagger threes.

[GratefulCs]

He's already better then Smart. He needs to play now!!

i'm not sure about that just yet. But maybe we drafted him so that smart can be included in a big time trade



Not saying we should trade smart. I love the kid

[PhoSita]

Rozier hasn't done too much out there to really impact the box score.  He doesn't make too many plays during his time on the court that stand out.

But the plays he does make are like, "Oooh more of that please."

Rozier looks the part, to me.  I can see why this guy impressed in workouts.  I'm still not really sure exactly what his role in the NBA will be.  He reminds me of Avery Bradley except he looks a little bigger and he has a far better handle.  That doesn't mean he'll be better than Avery.

I'm not sure he's a point guard, though.  So far he's done a good job not messing up the offense; he's kept the ball moving and he's done a good job taking and making open shots.  He has a few plays here and there where he gets to the rim. 

It'll be fun to watch him find his place on this team.

Between Rozier looking pretty good and Smart showing his development as a distributor and generally as ball-handler, I think Turner's role on this team should diminish and might even be obsolete sooner rather than later.