Terry hasn't had a great start to his season, but still possesses plenty of faith in his abilities and his team's potential.
Jason Terry surely does not lack confidence, even after an underwhelming opening three games with the Boston Celtics.
The guard played fewer minutes Saturday night (17) than he did in any game last season and shot just 2-8 while scoring eight points, but still communicated plenty of faith in himself in a diary he writes for ESPN Boston.
While noting he is "a work in progress" and "still trying to get comfortable within the structure of the team," Terry did not mention any of his misses. The only shots he discussed were the two free throws he made with four seconds left that helped to ice Boston's 89-86 win against the host Washington Wizards.
"I was happy to contribute in our win with two free throws down the stretch," he wrote. "It's definitely in my DNA to make big shots, especially when the game is on the line, whether that's with free throws or making a play or an assist or a shot to win or tie the game -- that's just who I am."
Terry clearly hasn't hit his stride offensively with the Celtics. One of the NBA's premier bench scorers since becoming a sixth man in 2007, he's averaging just 8.7 points on 38.1 percent shooting through three games. A career 38 percent 3-point shooter, he's only made two so far this season (out of seven attempts). After knowing exactly what the Dallas Mavericks required of him, exactly where Dirk Nowitzki and all his teammates needed him to be on every possession, Terry is struggling to adjust to his new environment.
The Celtics have underutilized Terry through three contests. That isn't a complaint so much as an observation. It will take time for Boston to incorporate Terry and their other fresh acquisitions. Doc Rivers has a difficult task dividing minutes in his backcourt -- even with Avery Bradley injured, Rajon Rondo, Courtney Lee, Terry and Leandro Barbosa are all used to earning big playing time. And minutes are only one change being made. Boston's new guards are also adapting to all their new teammates, in a new offensive system.
But there's talent there, plenty of it, and Terry's a believer in his team. He ended his ESPN Boston diary with an acknowledgement that creating something special in Boston will take time. But he remains fully confident.
"I'm happy we got our first win of the season, but please be patient," he wrote. "All our fans just need to be patient with us. We will be a great team in the end."