The Charlotte Hornets are in Boston on Sunday for their first exhibition of the 2019 preseason, which will also mark the return of former Celtics guard Terry Rozier to the TD Garden.
Rozier told reporters that he is excited to compete against some of his former teammates, and that he still considers Boston as his “home:”
“I’m ready to go out here, have some fun, talk a little trash to my old teammates and just get it over with. I’m glad to be back in this building. This is home for me.” – #Hornets guard/former #Celtics guard Terry Rozier. pic.twitter.com/kWWEDPl5Lz
— A. Sherrod Blakely (@ASherrodblakely) October 6, 2019
The 25-year-old spent the first four seasons of his career with the Celtics prior to signing a three-year, $58 million deal with the Hornets this summer.
Rozier became a fan-favorite in Beantown after he took over as the starting point guard in March of 2018 to replace the injured Kyrie Irving.
The former Louisville product thrived in the starting role, averaging 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists in the 2018 playoffs while helping the Celtics to within a game of the NBA Finals.
However, Rozier suffered through an extremely frustrating 2018-19 season. With Irving back in the rotation as the starting point guard, Rozier never fully got into a rhythm, notching fewer minutes per game while also shooting below 39 percent from the field.
“Scary Terry” had been renowned for his defensive intensity and instincts as a combo guard, but he seemed to take multiple steps back last season. Rozier was also very vocal in saying that he wanted to be on the team where he could start at point guard.
The Hornets rewarded Rozier with a lucrative deal that was widely criticized by executives around the league. Though he has flashed potential as an athletic playmaker, Rozier's reputation as a “chucker” has done quite a bit to sour his value.
Charlotte will be hoping that Rozier can flourish in the starting role as they begin their rebuild without former franchise icon Kemba Walker, who is now a member of the Celtics.
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