Shaquille O’Neal Is Skeptical About Terry Rozier In Miami Heat Culture
Many are placing championship expectations on the Miami Heat after trading Kyle Lowry for former Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier.
But former Heat center Shaquille O’Neal says Rozier doesn’t “fit” the organization’s culture.
“I mean I think he needs to understand the culture,” O’Neal said on a Tuesday segment of Inside the NBA. “I don’t know him personally, but he looks to me to be like a player that does what he wants to do when he wants to do it, and I don’t think Heat culture allows that. They have a system, they have hierarchy, so is he gonna be willing to just be the point guard that they’re looking for? Taking all those ill-advised shots, if they’re not going in, [Erik] Spoelstra’s not gonna be happy with that.”
O’Neal was a part of Miami’s 2006 championship team, so he knows a little bit about the organization’s culture.
Rozier has never been involved in any major drama in his career. In addition, he is having a career season averaging 23.2 points on 46 percent shooting with 6.6 assists. Still, O’Neal expressed his concerns with Rozier being introduced to Miami’s style of basketball.
“I wish him well, but he needs to understand that the Heat culture is similar to [Gregg] Popovich’s culture,” O’Neal said. “You do it their way or you’re gonna be traded again. Trust me, I know.”
The Heat needed to move on from Lowry, who had low production on an expiring contract. Rozier gives Miami another backcourt threat, as well as a second option to Jimmy Butler in the postseason.
Only time will tell if he fits the team culture. He has his first chance against the Memphis Grizzlies (16-27) Wednesday night.
Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
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