BOLTON, MAJason Terry won a national championship at the University of Arizona as a reliable reserve. He won an NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks two years ago as the key to their second-unit's success.
Now in Boston, Terry will be called upon to provide a similar lift even if Avery Bradley's shoulder injuries force him to play as a starter.
First group or second group, Terry's focus this season remains the same.
"My mission is to kill; 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," Terry said on Tuesday shortly before teeing off at the Fifth Annual USI Shamrock Classic which was hosted by the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation.
During the offseason, Celtics coach Doc Rivers put his wish list to paper in a lengthy letter to Danny Ainge, Boston's president of basketball operations.
"We wanted a scorer off the dribble," Rivers said. "I sit down and write Danny a letter about needs; that was my number one need. I didn't think we had enough guys that could score off the dribble. (Rajon) Rondo can score off the dribble. But we needed a guy that could score and be a knock-down shooter. That was very important for us."
His value becomes even greater when you consider Bradley (shoulders) is expected to miss the first couple months of the season, in addition to Ray Allen opting to sign with the Miami Heat instead of returning to Boston.
Boston Celtics
Terry isn't putting much thought into who he is replacing, or the team he left behind in Dallas.
"Another opportunity to win a championship, that's what it's all about," Terry said. "There's no other motive but to go out and win, and win it all."