Celtics (0-1) at Hornets (0-1) Preseason Game #2 10/6/16

[BlackCeltic]

Marcus needs to handle the ball more than Rozier in the second unit. He doesn't have the decision-making for a point guard.

Rosier seems to excel when he feels its his team. He's a volume scorer and Im not certain he fits this team. He's an excellent trade chip until he can be consistent with rotation players.

Exactly. He's best when he's the main guy out there and can worry about creating for himself. But he's not very good at involving others.

I just can't believe how brutal some of the people on this forum are, really!

Rozier has a total of 410 minutes of NBA experience and is playing what is arguably the hardest position in the game to learn. 

He's already earned the respect of the coaches and of some of the more experienced guys on the team - I think he deserves to be cut some slack!

I think you're taking me wrong. I've really come around to like Rozier, but I just don't think he's an actual point guard. I think Smart needs to handle the ball more often, and Rozier can be the secondary ball-handler that primarily gets his own offense and occasionally offense for others.

I think he could be a good off-the-ball player for us in the second unit, too, because his shot is actually lightyears ahead of where it was advertised to be. As long as Rozier doesn't get too ball-dominant and focused on creating for himself, I really like the backcourt of him and Smart, though Rozier has to pick up his D. He was burned quite a bit today on gambles and being out of position.

I agree, i love Roziers game but doesn't mean it fits with what the team is trying to accomplish. He must prove to be a good playmaker and not just a good shot creator. At times tonight, he was a blackhole and you knew he was going to take a shot the moment he touched the ball. Its way too predictable.

[tankcity!]

Marcus needs to handle the ball more than Rozier in the second unit. He doesn't have the decision-making for a point guard.

Rosier seems to excel when he feels its his team. He's a volume scorer and Im not certain he fits this team. He's an excellent trade chip until he can be consistent with rotation players.

Exactly. He's best when he's the main guy out there and can worry about creating for himself. But he's not very good at involving others.

I just can't believe how brutal some of the people on this forum are, really!

Rozier has a total of 410 minutes of NBA experience and is playing what is arguably the hardest position in the game to learn. 

He's already earned the respect of the coaches and of some of the more experienced guys on the team - I think he deserves to be cut some slack!

I think you're taking me wrong. I've really come around to like Rozier, but I just don't think he's an actual point guard. I think Smart needs to handle the ball more often, and Rozier can be the secondary ball-handler that primarily gets his own offense and occasionally offense for others.

I think he could be a good off-the-ball player for us in the second unit, too, because his shot is actually lightyears ahead of where it was advertised to be. As long as Rozier doesn't get too ball-dominant and focused on creating for himself, I really like the backcourt of him and Smart, though Rozier has to pick up his D. He was burned quite a bit today on gambles and being out of position.

I agree, i love Roziers game but doesn't mean it fits with what the team is trying to accomplish. He must prove to be a good playmaker and not just a good shot creator. At times tonight, he was a blackhole and you knew he was going to take a shot the moment he touched the ball. Its way too predictable.

He looks good to me. Looked better than Smart did his second season in my opinion. Smart still can't shoot threes by the way. We'll truly see what this team is made of in the regular season when teams actually force Smart to shoot from three. Might be the slowest guard in the NBA.

[crimson_stallion]

I don't get you guys. 

You're criticizing Terry Rozier (400 minutes of NBA experience) and Jordan Mickey (57 minutes of NBA experience) for not looking 100% fluent / comfortable on an NBA court?

Really?

Do any of you guys remember what Rajon Rondo looked like when he was 400 minutes into his his rookie year?  What about Sullinger?  Olynyk? 

Even Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant looked a little lost on the court when they 500 minutes into their NBA careers.

Terry Rozier hasn't even started his second NBA season and has already:

1) Dominated the D-League
2) Played very productive minutes in the playoffs despite being called on out of nowhere
3) Dominated Summer League
4) Dominated team scrimmages against the likes of IT and AB
5) Earned the trust of coaches and team veterans

Now he's just averaged 13 Pts / 1.5 Ast / 2.5 Reb / 0.5 TO (on 52% FG, 60% 3PT) in 23.5 MPG in his first two preseason games, and you guys are questioning him fit on the team?

Why? 

Because he doesn't look as comfortable running the offense as Marcus Smart - another PG who has almost 10x the experience?

This kid has outstanding athleticism, he can handle the ball, he's a great rebounder for his position, he's got sky-high potential as a scorer/shooter (on a team that's been desperately lacking that for more then half a decade), and his work ethic is impressive enough that he's already earned him the respect of every important person in the organization...

But you guys are questioning his "fit" on the team after two preseason games and 400 minutes of NBA experience.

Good lord.

[walker834]

All these guys are good.   Bradley is improving his ball handling. Rozier is a big shot maker and really gets in the lane.  We can have all these guys for now.  It will be interesting what we do but I hope we keep the majority of these guys.  Rozier is going to be a really good player. His ceiling is lower than Smart and Bradley though especially with Bradley still improving. Young is the real kicker. He looks like a different player.  So confident.

I really think Jaylen is a superstar. He has to keep working but he is something.  Marcus Smart is my favorite player on this team.

It's weird how game one the bench couldn't get going and now Horford and Isaiah are an after thought. Crowder, Bradley, Jerebko, Amir played really well too.

[BlackCeltic]

Marcus needs to handle the ball more than Rozier in the second unit. He doesn't have the decision-making for a point guard.

Rosier seems to excel when he feels its his team. He's a volume scorer and Im not certain he fits this team. He's an excellent trade chip until he can be consistent with rotation players.

Exactly. He's best when he's the main guy out there and can worry about creating for himself. But he's not very good at involving others.

I just can't believe how brutal some of the people on this forum are, really!

Rozier has a total of 410 minutes of NBA experience and is playing what is arguably the hardest position in the game to learn. 

He's already earned the respect of the coaches and of some of the more experienced guys on the team - I think he deserves to be cut some slack!

I think you're taking me wrong. I've really come around to like Rozier, but I just don't think he's an actual point guard. I think Smart needs to handle the ball more often, and Rozier can be the secondary ball-handler that primarily gets his own offense and occasionally offense for others.

I think he could be a good off-the-ball player for us in the second unit, too, because his shot is actually lightyears ahead of where it was advertised to be. As long as Rozier doesn't get too ball-dominant and focused on creating for himself, I really like the backcourt of him and Smart, though Rozier has to pick up his D. He was burned quite a bit today on gambles and being out of position.

I agree, i love Roziers game but doesn't mean it fits with what the team is trying to accomplish. He must prove to be a good playmaker and not just a good shot creator. At times tonight, he was a blackhole and you knew he was going to take a shot the moment he touched the ball. Its way too predictable.

He looks good to me. Looked better than Smart did his second season in my opinion. Smart still can't shoot threes by the way. We'll truly see what this team is made of in the regular season when teams actually force Smart to shoot from three. Might be the slowest guard in the NBA.

Thats why Smart had to take over point guard duties tonight? Let me know when Rozier outplays Russel Westbrook like Smart has. Rosier is playing out of control at PG, imo. I really feel Amir masked the problem when he played with the second unit. Terry needs to slow down and it looks like he only has one speed.

[BlackCeltic]

I don't get you guys. 

You're criticizing Terry Rozier (400 minutes of NBA experience) and Jordan Mickey (57 minutes of NBA experience) for not looking 100% fluent / comfortable on an NBA court?

Really?

Do any of you guys remember what Rajon Rondo looked like when he was 400 minutes into his his rookie year?  What about Sullinger?  Olynyk? 

Even Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant looked a little lost on the court when they 500 minutes into their NBA careers.

Terry Rozier hasn't even started his second NBA season and has already:

1) Dominated the D-League
2) Played very productive minutes in the playoffs despite being called on out of nowhere
3) Dominated Summer League
4) Dominated team scrimmages against the likes of IT and AB
5) Earned the trust of coaches and team veterans

Now he's just averaged 13 Pts / 1.5 Ast / 2.5 Reb / 0.5 TO (on 52% FG, 60% 3PT) in 23.5 MPG in his first two preseason games, and you guys are questioning him fit on the team?

Why? 

Because he doesn't look as comfortable running the offense as Marcus Smart - another PG who has almost 10x the experience?

This kid has outstanding athleticism, he can handle the ball, he's a great rebounder for his position, he's got sky-high potential as a scorer/shooter (on a team that's been desperately lacking that for more then half a decade), and his work ethic is impressive enough that he's already earned him the respect of every important person in the organization...

But you guys are questioning his "fit" on the team after two preseason games and 400 minutes of NBA experience.

Good lord.

I think we all love what Rozier brings to the table as far as skills go. Terry is twice as skilled as Jackson is, but Jackson has looked more polished running the team in the few minutes he has been out there. We have a lot of PGs, whats wrong with pointing out a flaw? Noone is saying we should bench the kid.

[trickybilly]

I wonder if Rozier's rise will have any impact on the trade availability of Marcus Smart.

This.

This has scared the living bejeezus outta me for a while now. You'd hate to let the wrong one go...

[LarBrd33]

Marcus needs to handle the ball more than Rozier in the second unit. He doesn't have the decision-making for a point guard.

Rosier seems to excel when he feels its his team. He's a volume scorer and Im not certain he fits this team. He's an excellent trade chip until he can be consistent with rotation players.

Exactly. He's best when he's the main guy out there and can worry about creating for himself. But he's not very good at involving others.

I just can't believe how brutal some of the people on this forum are, really!

Rozier has a total of 410 minutes of NBA experience and is playing what is arguably the hardest position in the game to learn. 

He's already earned the respect of the coaches and of some of the more experienced guys on the team - I think he deserves to be cut some slack!

I think you're taking me wrong. I've really come around to like Rozier, but I just don't think he's an actual point guard. I think Smart needs to handle the ball more often, and Rozier can be the secondary ball-handler that primarily gets his own offense and occasionally offense for others.

I think he could be a good off-the-ball player for us in the second unit, too, because his shot is actually lightyears ahead of where it was advertised to be. As long as Rozier doesn't get too ball-dominant and focused on creating for himself, I really like the backcourt of him and Smart, though Rozier has to pick up his D. He was burned quite a bit today on gambles and being out of position.

Does it seem like Rozier struggles handling the ball?   He only has 1 turnover in 48 minutes of preseason basketball.   What do you mean when you say he can't be a real point guard?  Traditional point guards aren't necessary in these days.  Definitely not necessary in Brad's system.  As long as a guy can handle the ball and hit shots, he can be a effective at that position.

If he can hit shots consistently, that will be huge.  His shooting percentages over the first two games have been very good.  I wonder if they are experimenting with him playing off the ball, because Smart commands less attention when he doesn't have the ball?  Coming off the worst shooting season ever (and so far 0-6 from three) means that teams probably aren't really respecting Smart's shot and it might mess with spacing.  It's the ol Rondo conundrum.  Guy can't shoot - so give him the ball.  Whereas, if Rozier can keep this up defenses will need to respect him regardless of whether he's got the ball in his hands.

[BlackCeltic]

Marcus needs to handle the ball more than Rozier in the second unit. He doesn't have the decision-making for a point guard.

Rosier seems to excel when he feels its his team. He's a volume scorer and Im not certain he fits this team. He's an excellent trade chip until he can be consistent with rotation players.

Exactly. He's best when he's the main guy out there and can worry about creating for himself. But he's not very good at involving others.

I just can't believe how brutal some of the people on this forum are, really!

Rozier has a total of 410 minutes of NBA experience and is playing what is arguably the hardest position in the game to learn. 

He's already earned the respect of the coaches and of some of the more experienced guys on the team - I think he deserves to be cut some slack!

I think you're taking me wrong. I've really come around to like Rozier, but I just don't think he's an actual point guard. I think Smart needs to handle the ball more often, and Rozier can be the secondary ball-handler that primarily gets his own offense and occasionally offense for others.

I think he could be a good off-the-ball player for us in the second unit, too, because his shot is actually lightyears ahead of where it was advertised to be. As long as Rozier doesn't get too ball-dominant and focused on creating for himself, I really like the backcourt of him and Smart, though Rozier has to pick up his D. He was burned quite a bit today on gambles and being out of position.

Does it seem like Rozier struggles handling the ball?   He only has 1 turnover in 48 minutes of preseason basketball.   What do you mean when you say he can't be a real point guard?  Traditional point guards aren't necessary in these days.  Definitely not necessary in Brad's system.  As long as a guy can handle the ball and hit shots, he can be a effective at that position.

If he can hit shots consistently, that will be huge.  His shooting percentages over the first two games have been very good.  I wonder if they are experimenting with him playing off the ball, because Smart commands less attention when he doesn't have the ball?  Coming off the worst shooting season ever (and so far 0-6 from three) means that teams probably aren't really respecting Smart's shot and it might mess with spacing.  It's the ol Rondo conundrum.  Guy can't shoot - so give him the ball.  Whereas, if Rozier can keep this up defenses will need to respect him regardless of whether he's got the ball in his hands.

They are experimenting with him off the ball because his distribution skills have been lackluster the first 2 games. He is a score first point guard and the ball is sticking when he has it. There has to be at least 3 possessions where he dribbled for 10 seconds prior to taking his own shot. The thing is, I wouldn't want him to play any other way because thats who he is. I just don't think that works well for the rest of the team. Things will be more clear when KO and GG return.

[kraidstar]

Marcus needs to handle the ball more than Rozier in the second unit. He doesn't have the decision-making for a point guard.

Rosier seems to excel when he feels its his team. He's a volume scorer and Im not certain he fits this team. He's an excellent trade chip until he can be consistent with rotation players.

Exactly. He's best when he's the main guy out there and can worry about creating for himself. But he's not very good at involving others.

I just can't believe how brutal some of the people on this forum are, really!

Rozier has a total of 410 minutes of NBA experience and is playing what is arguably the hardest position in the game to learn. 

He's already earned the respect of the coaches and of some of the more experienced guys on the team - I think he deserves to be cut some slack!

I think you're taking me wrong. I've really come around to like Rozier, but I just don't think he's an actual point guard. I think Smart needs to handle the ball more often, and Rozier can be the secondary ball-handler that primarily gets his own offense and occasionally offense for others.

I think he could be a good off-the-ball player for us in the second unit, too, because his shot is actually lightyears ahead of where it was advertised to be. As long as Rozier doesn't get too ball-dominant and focused on creating for himself, I really like the backcourt of him and Smart, though Rozier has to pick up his D. He was burned quite a bit today on gambles and being out of position.

I agree, i love Roziers game but doesn't mean it fits with what the team is trying to accomplish. He must prove to be a good playmaker and not just a good shot creator. At times tonight, he was a blackhole and you knew he was going to take a shot the moment he touched the ball. Its way too predictable.

C's fans haven't had a real scorer in so long that we've forgotten what they look like. Terry Rozier has that potential.

He looks like he can score from anywhere on the court. He can penetrate, he can pull up, he can manufacture baskets and free throws.

These are areas where we've been sorely lacking. I see his skillset as a good thing, you need guys like him to win in the playoffs when points get scarce in crunch time. And it's not like he's wasting possessions with the ball in his hands.

Maybe Rozier not being a "traditional" point guard is an indication of his being a far better offensive prospect than most.

[jpotter33]

Marcus needs to handle the ball more than Rozier in the second unit. He doesn't have the decision-making for a point guard.

Rosier seems to excel when he feels its his team. He's a volume scorer and Im not certain he fits this team. He's an excellent trade chip until he can be consistent with rotation players.

Exactly. He's best when he's the main guy out there and can worry about creating for himself. But he's not very good at involving others.

I just can't believe how brutal some of the people on this forum are, really!

Rozier has a total of 410 minutes of NBA experience and is playing what is arguably the hardest position in the game to learn. 

He's already earned the respect of the coaches and of some of the more experienced guys on the team - I think he deserves to be cut some slack!

I think you're taking me wrong. I've really come around to like Rozier, but I just don't think he's an actual point guard. I think Smart needs to handle the ball more often, and Rozier can be the secondary ball-handler that primarily gets his own offense and occasionally offense for others.

I think he could be a good off-the-ball player for us in the second unit, too, because his shot is actually lightyears ahead of where it was advertised to be. As long as Rozier doesn't get too ball-dominant and focused on creating for himself, I really like the backcourt of him and Smart, though Rozier has to pick up his D. He was burned quite a bit today on gambles and being out of position.

Does it seem like Rozier struggles handling the ball?   He only has 1 turnover in 48 minutes of preseason basketball.   What do you mean when you say he can't be a real point guard?  Traditional point guards aren't necessary in these days.  Definitely not necessary in Brad's system.  As long as a guy can handle the ball and hit shots, he can be a effective at that position.

If he can hit shots consistently, that will be huge.  His shooting percentages over the first two games have been very good.  I wonder if they are experimenting with him playing off the ball, because Smart commands less attention when he doesn't have the ball?  Coming off the worst shooting season ever (and so far 0-6 from three) means that teams probably aren't really respecting Smart's shot and it might mess with spacing.  It's the ol Rondo conundrum.  Guy can't shoot - so give him the ball.  Whereas, if Rozier can keep this up defenses will need to respect him regardless of whether he's got the ball in his hands.

I mean he doesn't really get others involved. He's almost always looking out for his own shot and creating his own offense when he has the ball. It's no coincidence that he started to heat up and get more involved offensively when Smart went out and he became "the man" on the floor with Young, Zeller, Mickey, Hunter and.or Brown. For his context, he's good at what he does, i.e. getting himself scoring opportunities, but he hasn't necessarily fit the team concept. The ball movement that we had working so well when our first seven were in there (Starters plus Brown and Smart) went away when he came in with the other bench players.

I think he needs to play more off the ball. Smart is better at initiating the offense and getting more involved, and the ball sticks less in Smart's hands than Rozier's hands. Also, as you said, Rozier will provide more spacing, and he can always be an iso option if the first options don't work. But he needs to be the second ballhandler rather than the primary ballhandler, because his type of play kills the ball movement that the first unit initiates.

People need to watch the game again. Rozier didn't start looking good until he started playing with our other scrubs. When he was playing with the starters or main bench guys, he wasn't nearly as effective, and he was horrible defensively. I think he's got a little ways to go before taking over full time as an effective player off the bench. He'll certainly get plenty of minutes, probably around 20, but there will be some growing pains for him at the start.

[crimson_stallion]

Marcus needs to handle the ball more than Rozier in the second unit. He doesn't have the decision-making for a point guard.

Rosier seems to excel when he feels its his team. He's a volume scorer and Im not certain he fits this team. He's an excellent trade chip until he can be consistent with rotation players.

Exactly. He's best when he's the main guy out there and can worry about creating for himself. But he's not very good at involving others.

I just can't believe how brutal some of the people on this forum are, really!

Rozier has a total of 410 minutes of NBA experience and is playing what is arguably the hardest position in the game to learn. 

He's already earned the respect of the coaches and of some of the more experienced guys on the team - I think he deserves to be cut some slack!

I think you're taking me wrong. I've really come around to like Rozier, but I just don't think he's an actual point guard. I think Smart needs to handle the ball more often, and Rozier can be the secondary ball-handler that primarily gets his own offense and occasionally offense for others.

I think he could be a good off-the-ball player for us in the second unit, too, because his shot is actually lightyears ahead of where it was advertised to be. As long as Rozier doesn't get too ball-dominant and focused on creating for himself, I really like the backcourt of him and Smart, though Rozier has to pick up his D. He was burned quite a bit today on gambles and being out of position.

I agree, i love Roziers game but doesn't mean it fits with what the team is trying to accomplish. He must prove to be a good playmaker and not just a good shot creator. At times tonight, he was a blackhole and you knew he was going to take a shot the moment he touched the ball. Its way too predictable.

Under different circumstances I would understand where you're coming from, but in Rozier's case I'm just not sure how you can fairly come to that conclusion.

Terry Rozier is not a natural pass-first PG.  His natural talent set, even in college, was always been scoring first, defending second and play-making third.  He's not incapable as a passer/play-maker, but it's not a natural strength of his either.   

Unlike most rookies he got drafted to a team who already had a strong backcourt rotation (Thomas, Bradley, Smart, Turner) and so he didn't get the benefit of being able to play any meaningful regular season minutes as a rookie - the only meaningful minutes he got were the 15 MPG or so in those 6 playoff games.   As such Rozier, for all intents and purposes, is pretty much still a rookie. It's going to take him time to get comfortable and play like it.

Look at Marcus Smart.  Like Rozier, Smart was never a natural playmaker in college.  He was a defender first, a scorer second, playmaker third. At the very start of his rookie season, defense was the only thing he was even remotely competent at - he looked lost trying to run the point, and he couldn't make a jumper or layup to save his life.   

Smart has now played in a total of 138 NBA games, and he's played meaningful minutes in all of them, yet he still struggles with his decision making, still doesn't look completely comfortable running the point, and is still wildly inconsistent as a shooter/scorer. 

But he's improving. 

We've seen him working in the post more, we've seen him improve his shooting form, we've seen the development of his court vision and passing skills, etc.  He's developing with time and is starting to look more and more like an all-round player.

Rozier, by comparison, has played 6 playoff games that involved actual meaningful NBA basketball - everything else was useless garbage time.  He is practically still a rookie.   

The court vision, decision making and passing skills will come - but they're going to take time.  The first things we're likely to see from Rozier is probably going to be scoring, because that's what he's most naturally proficient at.  The defense and decision making are going to take a bit longer to come around...but they'll come. 

[hwangjini_1]

I don't get you guys. 

You're criticizing Terry Rozier (400 minutes of NBA experience) and Jordan Mickey (57 minutes of NBA experience) for not looking 100% fluent / comfortable on an NBA court?

Really?

Do any of you guys remember what Rajon Rondo looked like when he was 400 minutes into his his rookie year?  What about Sullinger?  Olynyk? 

Even Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant looked a little lost on the court when they 500 minutes into their NBA careers.

Terry Rozier hasn't even started his second NBA season and has already:

1) Dominated the D-League
2) Played very productive minutes in the playoffs despite being called on out of nowhere
3) Dominated Summer League
4) Dominated team scrimmages against the likes of IT and AB
5) Earned the trust of coaches and team veterans

Now he's just averaged 13 Pts / 1.5 Ast / 2.5 Reb / 0.5 TO (on 52% FG, 60% 3PT) in 23.5 MPG in his first two preseason games, and you guys are questioning him fit on the team?

Why? 

Because he doesn't look as comfortable running the offense as Marcus Smart - another PG who has almost 10x the experience?

This kid has outstanding athleticism, he can handle the ball, he's a great rebounder for his position, he's got sky-high potential as a scorer/shooter (on a team that's been desperately lacking that for more then half a decade), and his work ethic is impressive enough that he's already earned him the respect of every important person in the organization...

But you guys are questioning his "fit" on the team after two preseason games and 400 minutes of NBA experience.

Good lord.

Is this your first time on CB? 

[crimson_stallion]

Marcus needs to handle the ball more than Rozier in the second unit. He doesn't have the decision-making for a point guard.

Rosier seems to excel when he feels its his team. He's a volume scorer and Im not certain he fits this team. He's an excellent trade chip until he can be consistent with rotation players.

Exactly. He's best when he's the main guy out there and can worry about creating for himself. But he's not very good at involving others.

I just can't believe how brutal some of the people on this forum are, really!

Rozier has a total of 410 minutes of NBA experience and is playing what is arguably the hardest position in the game to learn. 

He's already earned the respect of the coaches and of some of the more experienced guys on the team - I think he deserves to be cut some slack!

I think you're taking me wrong. I've really come around to like Rozier, but I just don't think he's an actual point guard. I think Smart needs to handle the ball more often, and Rozier can be the secondary ball-handler that primarily gets his own offense and occasionally offense for others.

I think he could be a good off-the-ball player for us in the second unit, too, because his shot is actually lightyears ahead of where it was advertised to be. As long as Rozier doesn't get too ball-dominant and focused on creating for himself, I really like the backcourt of him and Smart, though Rozier has to pick up his D. He was burned quite a bit today on gambles and being out of position.

Does it seem like Rozier struggles handling the ball?   He only has 1 turnover in 48 minutes of preseason basketball.   What do you mean when you say he can't be a real point guard?  Traditional point guards aren't necessary in these days.  Definitely not necessary in Brad's system.  As long as a guy can handle the ball and hit shots, he can be a effective at that position.

If he can hit shots consistently, that will be huge.  His shooting percentages over the first two games have been very good.  I wonder if they are experimenting with him playing off the ball, because Smart commands less attention when he doesn't have the ball?  Coming off the worst shooting season ever (and so far 0-6 from three) means that teams probably aren't really respecting Smart's shot and it might mess with spacing.  It's the ol Rondo conundrum.  Guy can't shoot - so give him the ball.  Whereas, if Rozier can keep this up defenses will need to respect him regardless of whether he's got the ball in his hands.

I mean he doesn't really get others involved. He's almost always looking out for his own shot and creating his own offense when he has the ball. It's no coincidence that he started to heat up and get more involved offensively when Smart went out and he became "the man" on the floor with Young, Zeller, Mickey, Hunter and.or Brown. For his context, he's good at what he does, i.e. getting himself scoring opportunities, but he hasn't necessarily fit the team concept. The ball movement that we had working so well when our first seven were in there (Starters plus Brown and Smart) went away when he came in with the other bench players.

I think he needs to play more off the ball. Smart is better at initiating the offense and getting more involved, and the ball sticks less in Smart's hands than Rozier's hands. Also, as you said, Rozier will provide more spacing, and he can always be an iso option if the first options don't work. But he needs to be the second ballhandler rather than the primary ballhandler, because his type of play kills the ball movement that the first unit initiates.

People need to watch the game again. Rozier didn't start looking good until he started playing with our other scrubs. When he was playing with the starters or main bench guys, he wasn't nearly as effective, and he was horrible defensively. I think he's got a little ways to go before taking over full time as an effective player off the bench. He'll certainly get plenty of minutes, probably around 20, but there will be some growing pains for him at the start.

I'm not sure I'm seeing what you are seeing.

Firstly, Rozier has spent very little time playing with the sterters - he's been playing with the second unit almost exclusively.

Secondly, if you watch both preseason games you'll see that he took maybe 8 or 9 shots in the first halves of both games combined. 

He's come into the game trying to be unselfish, trying to move the ball, and trying to be a PG.  The problem is that other then Jaylen Brown (surprisingly enough) there's nobody on that second unit who has been even remotely capable of actually putting the ball in the basket.  Jerebko can only hit wide open threes, Zeller looks lost, and Marcus Smart makes Rajon Rondo look like Steph Curry.

So after 10-15 minutes of trying to be unselfish (and seeing that it's gonig nowhere at all), he's making the adjustment in the second half, taking over the game, and making things happen.

Scal even made a comment in the first half of the first game, criticizing Rozier for not being aggressive enough and for playing too passive - he's trying to find the balance and learn when to be unselfish, when to take over.

From what I've seen so far it seems that when he wants to take over, he can do so pretty much at will.  So when he's taking 3 or 4 FGA in the entire first half it's not because he can't get the shots off, it's just because he's trying to be a team player and play unselfishly.

Moral of the story - if you want Rozier to play unselfishly, then put him on the court with some guys who can actually make shots.  Smart's shooting is depressing beyond words.

[crimson_stallion]

I don't get you guys. 

You're criticizing Terry Rozier (400 minutes of NBA experience) and Jordan Mickey (57 minutes of NBA experience) for not looking 100% fluent / comfortable on an NBA court?

Really?

Do any of you guys remember what Rajon Rondo looked like when he was 400 minutes into his his rookie year?  What about Sullinger?  Olynyk? 

Even Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant looked a little lost on the court when they 500 minutes into their NBA careers.

Terry Rozier hasn't even started his second NBA season and has already:

1) Dominated the D-League
2) Played very productive minutes in the playoffs despite being called on out of nowhere
3) Dominated Summer League
4) Dominated team scrimmages against the likes of IT and AB
5) Earned the trust of coaches and team veterans

Now he's just averaged 13 Pts / 1.5 Ast / 2.5 Reb / 0.5 TO (on 52% FG, 60% 3PT) in 23.5 MPG in his first two preseason games, and you guys are questioning him fit on the team?

Why? 

Because he doesn't look as comfortable running the offense as Marcus Smart - another PG who has almost 10x the experience?

This kid has outstanding athleticism, he can handle the ball, he's a great rebounder for his position, he's got sky-high potential as a scorer/shooter (on a team that's been desperately lacking that for more then half a decade), and his work ethic is impressive enough that he's already earned him the respect of every important person in the organization...

But you guys are questioning his "fit" on the team after two preseason games and 400 minutes of NBA experience.

Good lord.

Is this your first time on CB? 

A valid point - touche'!