Jason Terry, who hasn’t even officially put on his No. 4 Boston Celtics jersey yet, has wasted no time in trying to endear himself with Boston fans, saying on Tuesday that his goal is to “kill” the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers.
“My mission is to kill,” Terry said at the team’s annual golf tournament at The International. “Whoever that is, whether it’s the Heat, whether it’s the Lakers. Hopefully both. That’s my mission and that’s what I’m here to do.
“I’m very excited. Obviously another opportunity to win a championship. That’s what it’s all about. There’s no other motive here but to go out there and win, and win it all.”
Terry signed a three-year deal with the Celtics at the midlevel exception ($15.7 million) in July. He is expected to serve as coach Doc Rivers’ sixth man and will replace Ray Allen as Boston’s primary 3-point specialist. Terry also likely will do some ball-handling behind Rajon Rondo.
Asked how he felt about seeing time as the secondary point guard, Terry said, “Very comfortable. I started out as a starting point guard in this league and I’ve been able to do that and play it at a high level.
“Again, whatever the team needs me to do. If they need me to jump center, I can do that, too. I’m just excited, again, to be wearing Celtic green and to be a part of this organization, the franchise, the heritage. I’m ready to get going.”
Terry said playing for Rivers was an important factor in his decision to come to Boston.
“Doc is one of the best coaches we have in this league today. He’ll go down in history as one of the best,” Terry said. “Obviously, he was a player and he played at a high level and he’s well-respected among all the players in the league.
“He’s a guy that I wanted to play for. I played for him, it was probably 2000, 2001, in the Goodwill Games and we won a gold medal. Our relationship is pretty easy. And he was the first one to call me. When Doc calls, you answer. And I’m just happy to be here.”
Rivers seems to be equally pleased to have Terry on board.
“I don’t know if anyone has a better guard core than us,” Rivers said, whose guard rotation also will include newcomer Courtney Lee and Avery Bradley, who will miss the start of the season after having shoulder surgery. “I’ve always thought that (versatility is) the way I would love to coach and I’m going to have the opportunity to do that.”
WRITTEN BY Chris Forsberg | ESPNBoston.com & FULL STORY HERE
