Terry Rozier - Celtics new-age Microwave heats up big-time against Kings
The original Microwave, former Piston Vinnie Johnson, was given the nickname by Celtics boss Danny Ainge. The 6'2" substitute guard could come into a game and heat up very quickly (per Wikipedia):
At 6 feet 2 inches tall, Johnson's skill set allowed him to replace either point guard Isiah Thomas or shooting guard Joe Dumars from the bench. Johnson earned the nickname "the Microwave" from Boston Celtics guard Danny Ainge for his ability to score many points in a short period of time (i.e., Johnson could heat up the offense of the team in short order)
Now Danny has his own Microwave, and his name is Scary Terry Rozier. T-Ro did it again, this time as a starter, versus the Sacramento Kings, and he had himself the very best game of his career. He scorched the nets for 33 points with 24 of those points coming from behind the arc.
New career-highs hit by Terry Rozier vs. Kings:
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) March 26, 2018
Points: 33
FGs Made: 12
3-pt FGs Made: 8
Steals: 5
How hot was Terry's shooting? I frankly admit that I had no idea a player could have a True Shooting Percentage greater than 100%. His TS% from last night's 104-93 win by the Celtics was 100.4%. Trust me on this. I verified the math repeatedly. Terry's Effective Field Goal Percentage (EFG%) was 100%, and the TS% incorporates his free throw shooting (one-for-one last night) into that number - thus the 100.4%.
Rozier on whether he knew he was one 3 away from tying the Cs franchise record: “If I’d knew that, I would have shot five more 3s for sure.”
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) March 26, 2018
Rozier dials up a career-high 33 points and 8 triples to lead the #Celtics to the win! pic.twitter.com/EUhkuieU7O
— NBA (@NBA) March 26, 2018
To put those numbers in perspective, Stephen Curry leads the League this season in TS% at 67.5%. The all-time NBA leaders include dead-eye shooters and bigs who score on dunks and put-backs. Curry, DeAndre Jordan, Cedric Maxwell, Artis Gilmore, Adrian Dantley, Reggie Miller, Kevin Durant, Magic Johnson and James Harden all occupy the top-15.
Oh yes, and T-Ro also had 5 rebounds, three assists and five steals, with only one turnover. Are we looking at the NBA Sixth-Man-of-the-Year or what? From reliable bench guy to super starter to Heaven-knows-what. We always knew T-Ro could defend. We found that he can rebound, penetrate, distribute and rack up steals. We simply did not know he could shoot like this. We know now. Turn the new-age Microwave on, and last night's production is what you can get.
Follow Tom at @TomLaneHC
Photo via Brian Fluharty/USA TODAY Sports
