5 reasons not to discount the Celtics in the NBA playoffs

2. Terry Rozier’s ability to step in for Kyrie

Kyrie Irving isn’t the kind of player that can be replaced. He’s a top-ten talent in the league and second to none as a ball handler, an isolation scorer, and a finisher at the rim and in traffic. There simply isn’t a substitute on the planet who can do everything he does, much less one waiting on any NBA team’s bench.

In terms of backup point guards a team could have at their disposal though, Terry Rozier is about as good as it gets. In his third NBA season (all with Boston), he’s averaging career highs in points (11.3), assists (2.9), rebounds (4.7), and steals (1.0). In the 19 games Rozier has played without Irving, he has upped those averages to 14.6 points, 4.9 assists, and 5.9 rebounds. Twice this year he has gone off for more than 30 points and he’s also tallied nine assists or more in three games.

Not only can he score, distribute, and rebound, but Rozier is also solid in terms of offensive efficiency. He’s shot 41.2 percent from two, 38.5 percent from three, and 77 percent from the free throw line so far and his 2.9 assist to turnover ratio is 21st in the league (significantly better than Irving’s and tied with Tony Parker and Kyle Lowry).

Behind Rozier, Shane Larkin has stepped into the backup point guard role as well, averaging just over 7 points and 3.7 assists since in the last ten games Irving has missed.

There are multiple players on the Celtics’ roster who can handle the ball and create shots for themselves and others so making up Kyrie’s production won’t fall squarely on the shoulders of Rozier and Larkin.

Like everything else the Celtics do, it will be a collective team effort with contributions from all over. Rozier will be able to shoulder more than many realize though, and don’t be surprised to see him holding his own against whoever he’s matched up against. Don’t be surprised if he drops 25- to 30 points in a game or two either.