Milwaukee Bucks: Jason Terry Brings the Enthusiasm and Leadership

By Reid Mueller | Jan 18, 2017

Nov 29, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd talks with guard Jason Terry (3) during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

With the young Milwaukee Bucks impressing without one of their best players this season, Jason Terry deserves credit for stepping up with enthusiasm and leadership.

Jason Terry was signed to a one year veteran’s minimum deal this offseason. The Milwaukee Bucks needed veteran leadership and enthusiasm, and Terry was the man they hoped would be able to supply that.

Jason Kidd won his ring with the 39-year-old during his second run with the Dallas Mavericks. The Milwaukee Bucks’ coach has previously had success using his past teammates in a mentoring role. When Kenyon Martin was brought in for a stretch during the 2014-2015 season, his stats didn’t tell much of a story. His role was to bring an intensity to an inexperienced Bucks roster.

Likewise, Steve Novak hasn’t made much of a tangible contribution to the Bucks, but the former Knicks teammate of Kidd’s is always spoken of very highly by teammates and coaches in Milwaukee.

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For Terry, an opportunity for a continued meaningful role on an NBA team that also needed him to hone his voice as a mentor and coach of sorts would have had an obvious appeal.

Terry interviewed for the head coach position at the University of Alabama over the summer, so he’s obviously interested in continuing the basketball life beyond the coming season. Working with Kidd, as a player/mentor, helps him transition into his next career, while still doing what he loves.

It’s good for the young Bucks to have an influence who still loves the game so many years into his career too. If this season is to be Terry’s last as a player, like most competitors he’ll likely want nothing more than one more playoff experience to close it out.

In terms of on court contribution, Terry has done a great job spacing the floor, hitting on 39 percent from three so far this season. He also stepped up when Matthew Dellavedova went down with a hamstring strain. Forced to play as the backup point guard, he held his own by doing what he’s done all year: rotate the ball or take a jumper without hesitation.

He’s also brought energy to the defensive end of the floor. A very tangible illustration of that comes from how Terry has managed to get two steals in five of his last seven games. JET puts energy into the minutes he spends on the floor. He’s one of the bench unit’s best players at rotating to contest open shooters.

Undoubtedly the biggest asset he’s brought to Milwaukee is his enthusiasm for the game, though. Not all 39-year-olds are interested in doing anything but giving a high five and collecting their last pay check. The JET is of a different breed, always playing with a chip on his shoulder. When George Karl’s book came out, he spoke of his time at Arizona when George Karl told him, “You’ll never make it to the NBA. You’re never serious. You’re a joke.”

As if being a 6’2” shooting guard doesn’t breed enough motivation, having a respected NBA coach saying he’d never make it did the trick. Terry has carried something of a chip on his shoulder ever since, and reaped the rewards.

When the team goes on a nice run with him in the game, Terry will do his best to provide some entertainment for the fans. Winning games is obviously the most important aspect of being a basketball player, but Terry is sure to have fun in doing so. There’s nothing wrong with being an entertainer on the floor. Terry does a great job with creating energy in the BMO Harris Bradley Center, which carries over to his teammates.

Last season, the Bucks were in desperate need of veteran leadership after shipping away Zaza Pachulia and Jared Dudley. If the team went into a hole, they didn’t really have a voice to ride the waves. It may have been just as big of an issue as the team not fitting together well.

With the JET, the team no longer has that issue. The Bucks upgraded in that area adding a veteran with championship experience.

Terry got it done in college, playing alongside Mike Bibby and Richard Jefferson. He was the second-best player on the Dallas Mavericks 2012 championship team. He teamed up with the mentally dominant Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in both Boston and Brooklyn.

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Put simply, Terry has some of the best basketball experiences to feed off to help inspire a team. He has everything you want in a future coach. If John Hammond and Jason Kidd were searching for someone to represent that on the floor; they couldn’t have found a better fit.

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