Big Red Louie
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Louisville basketball: Bold prediction for each former Card in the NBA

By Jacob Lane

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 16: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dribbles past Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of a game at Staples Center on January 16, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 16: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dribbles past Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of a game at Staples Center on January 16, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – APRIL 21: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers in game four of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 21, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – APRIL 21: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers in game four of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 21, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Terry Rozier – G, Charlotte Hornets

Prediction: Finishes top 30 in field goals attempted per game

Not only did Terry Rozier go from a backup and role player for the Boston Celtics to a starting point guard and likely leading scorer for the Hornets – but he also became the highest-paid player (year-over-year) in Louisville basketball history.

After spending the first four years of his career with the Boston Celtics, Rozier signed a three year, $58 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets this offseason essentially swapping spots with former Hornet and now Celtic, Kemba Walker.

Rozier will take over the starting point guard duties, amongst plenty of other roles, this season for what will likely be the NBA’s worst team. The Hornets will operate in full-on rebuild mode after not re-signing their franchise player and will look to Rozier (the team’s veteran) to help their bevy of first-rounders Miles Bridges, Malik Monk, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and P.J. Washington take the next step in their careers.

Looking at the Hornets roster you can quickly notice that as of now there is no go-to scorer. While Rozier has only averaged double figures over the course of a full season one time, this year he undoubtedly will be relied upon to score, defend at an extremely high level and bring a new spirit to the team.

In an interview with Hornets coach James Borrego, he told The Athletic’s Roderick Boone ($):

"I think he helps us establish more of our culture right now. He’s a two-way guy, plays both ends of the floor. He competes, he works, he’s got upside. He’s young, so he fits with our young group right now and I think there’s a lot of growth for him right now to make another step, to show that he can be the leader, a starting point guard in this league. And there’s a lot of motivation there for him and this is a great opportunity for him. Obviously, we are going to miss Kemba. But we feel like this is a guy that can step in, grow with our young guys, really compete, defend and bring a competitive spirit every night."

His career numbers don’t tell the full story of his career in my opinion. With career averages of just 7.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, Rozier showed with an opportunity he could be a solid starting point guard.

With Kyrie Irving out due to injury back in 2017-18, Rozier started the final 13 games of the regular season averaging nearly 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists while putting up 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game during his 19 playoff starts, leading the Celtics to the Eastern Conference finals.

This season not only will Rozier lead the team in scoring, but I believe he’ll finish the season in the top 20 in total field goals attempted after not crossing the top 100 in 2018-19. This is by no means a groundbreaking statistic, but it will paint a bigger picture of what Rozier can do with an opportunity to be the primary scorer and also will put him in the conversation for Most Improved Player of the Year if the Hornets overachieve.

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