Veteran Terry ready for more time on the court
PORTLAND, Ore. - As Milwaukee Bucks guard Jason Terry walked toward the locker room for halftime on Tuesday night in Sacramento, Fox Sports Wisconsin sideline reporter Telly Hughes asked him for a quick interview.
Terry, who had played more than 12 minutes — nearly matching his total (141⁄2 minutes) over his only four prior appearances in November — consented. Some of his younger teammates teased him, wondering why the 40-year-old guard was picked.
“They’re, like, why are you getting interviewed, you ain’t scored a bucket?” Terry said. “I’m trying to teach them it’s not always about scoring. You can impact the game in other ways. Tonight I’m using my energy, I’m using my voice, trying to be disruptive defensively, hell, I’m running the floor hard. The buckets will come if you continue to play the right way.”
After playing just 36 minutes over six appearances during the first 18 games of the season, Terry ultimately logged 221⁄2 minutes in the Bucks’ 112-87 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Those weren’t just mop-up minutes during a blowout, either.
He had a consistent rotation spot, coming in late in the first quarter and playing about 12 minutes before reprising that role late in the third quarter and subbing out with about 41⁄2 minutes left in the game. Terry collected three points on 1 of 5 shooting to go with three assists and two rebounds.
To Terry, those numbers don’t fully represent the extent of his function. Coach Jason Kidd is of the same mind, using some time during halftime on Tuesday to show his team a clip of Terry running the floor with 22-yeard-old teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo to help space the floor for Eric Bledsoe.
“Not only am I supposed to make shots and bring energy defensively, but it’s all about my presence on the court,” Terry said. “It’s a calming demeanor. It’s very similar to what (Kidd) did for us in Dallas, an extension of the coach. I’m going to make sure everyone’s organized, that’s pretty much it.”
Getting Terry some extended minutes wasn’t just a one-night deal for Kidd. He is ready to let him loose as a
consistent member of the team’s rotation, continuing with the team’s roadtrip finale against the Portland Trail Blazers at 9 p.m. Thursday at the Moda Center.
“I’ve always been a believer that your vets start to play in December,” Kidd said. “So it’s December for us and he’s going to start playing from here on out. ... “Now the marathon begins for him.” What’s so special about December — or late November? Kidd says his philosophy has as much to do with his other players as it does with getting the most out of a veteran.
“I don’t want to say saving him,” Kidd said. “You only got one gas tank and once the gas tank goes E there’s no fillup. You have to use it wisely. For the experience of going through it, December is around the time when those younger players tend to be ready mentally and physically for the marathon . ...
“(Terry’s) ready, he’s been ready. His thing is, as you can see, he’s full of energy. He moves as well as anyone on the floor.”
While Terry hasn’t been seeing much on-court action, he’s been an integral part of the team at practice. He’s been a full participant, helping his teammates build the right habits — moving the ball offensively and hustling on defense.
Since Bledsoe arrived three weeks ago, Terry has taken time to shoot with him and help the new point guard settle in. He’s in the ears of his younger teammates each chance he gets.
“He’s a vet, man,” Khris Middleton said. “He’s seen it all, he’s done it all. He knows what to say at the right moment to get guys going, get guys locked in.”
Terry’s addition to the rotation will cut into the playing time of other players.
It’s a tough situation to manage and will be even more so when Matthew Dellavedova (left knee tendinitis) is able to return.
“That’s always — if you’re a coach you’re going to have to deal with that,” Kidd said. “Sometimes injuries take care of that, but having a lot of guys you just have to figure out how to get them (out there). Hopefully, that can keep some of the minutes down for some of those guys who have been playing a lot of minutes.”
However he fits into the rotation, Terry is looking forward to getting to make more of an impact on the court. He didn’t just come back for his 19th season to give advice or wave towels on bench — though he’s apt to continue both of those things.
He wants to contribute on the court and help the Bucks reach the depths of their potential.
“I’m up for the challenge,” Terry said. “I’ve always stayed professional and stayed in shape and conditioned, so I’m ready.”