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Charlotte Hornets: Matching Hornets with their NFL paralells

By Evan Birchmore

Sep 27, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) and forward Gordon Hayward (20) pose for photos during Media Day at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) and forward Gordon Hayward (20) pose for photos during Media Day at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Matching Hornets with their NFL parallels: Terry Rozier and Stefon Diggs

The budding star who needed a change of scenery to reach their full potential 

Terry Rozier was drafted to the Boston Celtics in 2015, spending four seasons with the franchise while showing flashes of stardom but ultimately struggling to emerge amidst an uncertain role and shaky team chemistry.

Stefon Diggs was drafted to the Minnesota Vikings in 2015, spending five seasons with the franchise while showing flashes of stardom but ultimately struggling to emerge amidst an uncertain role and shaky team chemistry.

Both Rozier and Diggs are examples of a player’s situation being a crucial factor in their overall success. While in Boston, Rozier flashed his potential when given the opportunity, particularly in the 2018 playoffs in the absence of Kyrie Irving. Although the Celtics ingloriously bowed out against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Rozier played well enough to deserve higher equity within the Celtics’ overall hierarchy.

Unfortunately for Rozier, Irving would have other plans, and the two ultimately proved unable to coexist. After arriving in Charlotte in 2019, Rozier was able to flourish in a more conducive environment. Rozier has set new career highs in minutes and points in both seasons with the Hornets, leading the squad with 20.4 points per game in 2021 and inking a lucrative contract extension this offseason.

Diggs found himself in a similar situation with the Vikings, putting up stellar numbers in the 2017 season and helping to lead the Vikings to a 13-3 record. Diggs would go on to have one of the most iconic catches in franchise history, completing the “Minneapolis Miracle” to knock the New Orleans Saints out of the playoffs. The following season, Diggs and Adam Thielen both surpassed the 1,000 yard receiving mark, the first time this had happened for the Vikings since Randy Moss and Cris Carter did so in 2000.

However, disagreements over Diggs’ role came to the surface as the Vikings looked to stud running back Dalvin Cook as the focal point of the offense. After being traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2020, Diggs proved to be the missing link in a potent offensive attack, helping elevate Bills quarterback Josh Allen to MVP consideration. Diggs would lead the NFL in receptions and receiving yards on the way to his first career Pro Bowl selection and a spot as a first-team All-Pro.

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