The current Celtics do not complain. They do not cause controversy in the locker room because they are by all accounts a tight-knit bunch that just loves to play basketball and compete for their mutual goal — an NBA title. They are not the Miami Heat or the Los Angeles Kobe Bryant's, who seem to try to make national headlines.
With so much ongoing speculation that guard Ray Allen may be packing his bags for Miami to join the Heat, or for Los Angeles to join the Clippers, Terry is a solid player to fill the shoes that Allen would be leaving behind. Even if Allen sticks around, though, Terry remains a good fit for the C's.
Head coach Doc Rivers said he can't envision Allen wearing any other jersey next season, but if the all-time 3-point leader decides to stay in Boston to chase a second ring with Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce, he would probably have to do so coming off the bench.
Terry has primarily been a sixth man for the second half of his career. In fact, he was the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2009 with the Mavericks. Even at 34, he's one of the best in the game at that role. The Celtics wouldn't have any problem starting Avery Bradley and having Terry come off the bench. It's a perfect formula, and it becomes increasingly important if Allen does depart.
If the Celtics lose Allen to free agency, they have 3-point talent similar to the 2008 team that won the title. Pierce can shoot the 3-ball. The same can be said for Terry and recently drafted Syracuse forward Kris Joseph. How are these guys similar to the 2008 team? Well, Pierce was on that team, Terry is very similar to Eddie House when it comes to knocking down treys, and Joseph is a tall, long-distance shooting forward, much like James Posey.
Speaking of Joseph, the Celtics also selected Fab Melo and Jared Sullinger in this year's draft. While the veteran talent continues to age, the older players have a responsibility to teach the rookies how to look like a Celtic, how to play like a Celtic and how to act like a Celtic. Although Terry will be flashing the green and white for the first time along with the rookies, he will almost make positive contributions within a locker room that already has chemistry created by Garnett, Allen and Pierce.
If Allen returns, the Celtics would have to rotate Bradley, Allen and Terry. Allen would play his usual shooting guard position and Terry could serve as a scoring point guard if necessary, similar to Derrick Rose or Chris Paul — even if he's not as talented as those two. In other words, Terry could be the backup to Rondo, as well as Bradley and Allen. A bona fide backup point guard is something the Celtics really haven't had.
The Celtics like being an old team. According to Garnett, he likes being called old because he has the opportunity to prove that he can still play the game without a walker, wheelchair or cane. And as we saw in the Eastern Conference Finals last month, he — and the rest of the C's — can still play the game well. Terry might be aging, but he can still help win a championship.
Watch out, Miami. You may end up landing Allen, but Boston already landed JET. And he's going to fit in just fine.
Photo via Flickr/dannyb
