Terry Rozier is authentic, adaptive as a Hornet; next step is to be more vocal
There is a clarity in how Terry Rozier views himself in relation to the Charlotte Hornets.
“I don’t put on a show for people I don’t know,” Rozier described of his personal philosophy.
By that, he means he’s accountable to teammates, coaches, general manager Mitch Kupchak and owner Michael Jordan. Any other noise — chatter over whether he is worth the $57 million the Hornets agreed to pay him for three seasons — he says he tunes out.
There was abundant skepticism — myself included — over whether it was wise for Kupchak to offer all that to Rozier, based on Rozier’s first four NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics. The thinking was the Hornets needed immediate reinforcement at point guard with Kemba Walker’s departure. So Kupchak scrambled to arrange the sign-and-trade with the Celtics to acquire Rozier.
It hasn’t worked out as anticipated — Devonte Graham’s ascension has meant Rozier plays off the ball more than as the point guard — but Rozier is having a career season. In a Monday home loss to the Indiana Pacers he scored 28 points, the sixth time in nine games he scored 26 or more.
He maintains career bests in field-goal percentage (.422) and 3-point percentage (.394). Maybe the ultimate compliment an opponent can make to an NBA player is constantly having to send him to the foul line. Rozier earned nine free throws Monday, and made them all.
He’s been an asset on many levels: A scorer, a primary playmaker when Graham is off the court, a solid defender. And increasingly of late, a leader.
Finding a voice
Being the new guy is never easy. Harder still when you are expected to fill in for Walker, the Hornets’ all-time leading scorer. My first one-on-one conversation with Rozier a few days before training camp, he made sure to assert “I’m not Kemba” multiple times in a 20-minute interview.
It’s good he refused to get lost in Walker’s shadow. Just as importantly, it’s commendable he didn’t feel threatened by Graham’s sudden stardom. He adapted when coach James Borrego moved Graham into the starting lineup, shifting Rozier to starting shooting guard.
He didn’t consider that a demotion or a burden. He played off the ball a lot in high school and in college at Louisville. As he said in a matter-of-fact tone, “I’m a scorer.”
Sure, but it’s not just that. He’s been adaptive. As he said Monday, “I’m coachable.” Borrego notices and appreciates it.
“Terry’s been fantastic,” Borrego said. “He’s growing, has an aggressive mentality to the rim, making plays for others, shooting at an elite level.”
During a stoppage of play Monday, Rozier called teammates together for a quick huddle where he was clearly giving orders. The more he fits in, the more he’s comfortable asserting himself, something Borrego needs in a rotation that leans heavily toward youth.
“He’s working to become a leader and we need him to be. To do that, you have to vocalize out there on the floor,” Borrego said. “I’m starting to see more and more of that.”
‘Not caught up in myself”
Rozier spent four seasons in Boston mostly as a backup, first to Isaiah Thomas and then to Kyrie Irving. He might have always had leadership skills, but on a roster as veteran as the Celtics were, he wouldn’t have been expected to constantly set agendas.
In Charlotte it’s different, and he understands.
“We need it; I do it for myself and for this organization. Me being more vocal and me being more of a leader — not getting caught up in myself — it helps everybody,” Rozier said of the example he’s trying to set. “I know whether I’m playing good or bad, a lot of people look to me.
“It’s noticeable. I’ve got to keep my head on straight.”
Blending well with Graham has been a fine first step: “He knows how to win,” Graham said, “and he’s instilling that in us.”
Or as Borrego put it, “I think it’s a tag team...We’re in good hands with those two.”
This story was originally published January 7, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
