When Jason Terry, a 16-year veteran, joined the Houston Rockets last offseason, many were not convinced that he still had it in him to contribute to an NBA team. After all, he was coming off a season in Brooklyn in which he played just 16.3 minutes per game, and shot just 36.2% from the field.
However, Jason Terry proved doubters wrong this season; playing a key role on an injury-riddled Houston team. Terry played in 77 of the Rockets’ 82 games, starting in 18 of them due to starting point guard Patrick Beverly going down with an injury. Terry was a significant contributor from deep this season, shooting 39% on 3-pointers.
Jason Terry had to play an even larger role come playoff time, as Patrick Beverly’s injury kept him out. In Beverly’s stead, Terry has started every game for the Rockets this postseason. While his shooting numbers dipped, he’s still shot a solid 36.5% from deep, and has hit some big shots for a Houston team that improbably overcame injuries and a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers in the conference semifinals.
Regardless of how the Rockets do for the remainder of the playoffs, Terry has decided that he can keep playing, and will return for his 17th season, telling ESPN’s Marc Stein,
“One hundred percent,” Terry said before Monday’s tipoff.
He will be a free agent this offseason, and he’s sure to have many teams come calling. After all, any team could use a playoff-tested shooter who comes alive in crunch-time. It’s most likely that will return to Houston, who surely would love to keep him. After all, the team has made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals despite a slew of injuries. Why bail?
