Let’s Welcome The Bucks’ Eric Bledsoe To ‘Rozier 101’ At The University of Celtics
Congratulations to Milwaukee Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe on his acceptance and enrollment into Celtics University and the class known as ‘Rozier 101.’ Following last night’s Boston Celtics, 120-106, win over…
Congratulations to Milwaukee Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe on his acceptance and enrollment into Celtics University and the class known as 'Rozier 101.'
Following last night's Boston Celtics, 120-106, win over the Bucks in game 2, Bledsoe was asked about having to defend Celtics guard Terry Rozier III. And he acted like he had no idea who was.
Come on dude! Don't act like you don't know who Rozier is!
But since Bledsoe apparently doesn't know Rozier, let me get this class started so he can get familiar with the Celtics' budding star.
Rozier, 24, grew up in Ohio and played his high school basketball there, while graduating as the 74th ranked player on ESPN's '2012 ESPNU Top 100' players list.
Before heading to the University of Louisville, he played a 13th year of high school ball for Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia.
In Rozier's first year at Louisville, he averaged 7.0 points and 3.1 rebounds through 37 games, and was named to the 'AAC All-Rookie Team.'
In his sophomore season as a Cardinal, he led the team in scoring with 17.1 points-per-game to go along with 5.6 rebounds and three assists.
After declaring for the NBA following his sophomore season, the 6-foot-2 guard was drafted 16th overall by the Celtics in the 2015 NBA Draft.
NOTE: Here's a list of the most notable players from that draft:
- #1 Overall: Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- #3 Overall: Jahlil Okafor (Philadelphia 76ers)
- #4 Overall: Kristaps Porzingis (New York Knicks)
- #13 Overall: Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
- #22 Overall: Bobby Portis (Chicago Bulls)
- #28 Overall: R.J. Hunter (Boston Celtics, second round)
- #33 Overall: Jordan Mickey (Boston Celtics, second round)
Prior to joining the Celtics in the 2015-2016 season, he played 14 games with their G-League affiliate, Maine Red Claws, before making the jump to the big leagues to appear in 39 games that year.
During his time with the Red Claws, he demonstrated his knack for scoring, playing big minutes and having a nose for the basketball.
In 14 games, he averaged 19.4 points on 39.3 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from deep. He also averaged 6.4 rebounds and 7.8 assists-per-game in 33.7 minutes of floor time a game.
Right now Rozier is in the midst of his best season so far in the NBA and he's currently one of the hottest players in the NBA Playoffs.
Through two playoff games, Rozier is averaging 23 points-per-game on 46.9 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc. He's also averaging 3.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and ZERO turnovers in 39 minutes-per-game.
In the 2017-2018 regular season "Scary Terry" averaged 11.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 25.9 minutes-per-game. Rozier appeared in every game but two, and finished with 16 starts after the Celtics lost Kyrie Irving for the rest of the season.
Rozier and his fellow Celtics have been smothering Bledsoe on the defensive end of the floor throughout the series so far. And it really shows on the stat sheet and the scoreboard as well.
Through games one and two, Bledsoe has seen a decrease in points-per-game (-7.3), assists-per-game (-1.1), field goal shooting percentage (-11.6) and three-point shooting percentage (-1.6). And this is all happening while playing an extra two minutes a night.
By the end of this series, Bledsoe will NEVER forget who Terry Rozier III is. And chances are he'll probably see "Scary Terry" in his dreams, turning them into nightmares. Especially after this happened Sunday afternoon.
UP NEXT: The Celtics (55-27/2-0) continue their first round action as they head to Milwaukee on Friday night to take on the Bucks (44-38/0-2) in game three of the NBA Playoffs. Catch the call of the game with Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell, live on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Pre-game coverage begins at 9:00 p.m., with tip-off set for 9:30 p.m.
-- By John 'The Dude' Hardiman, 985TheSportsHub.com
John Hardiman is a Digital Producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for John? Hit him up on Twitter @HardiDude or e-mail him at john.hardiman@bbgi.com.
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