NEW YORK — When the sizable paychecks start pouring in for NBA first-round picks, the temptations to spend big can be obvious. But Celtics second-year point guard Terry Rozier, who rented a modest one-bedroom apartment in Watertown after he was drafted last year, is not especially concerned about houses and cars.
“I’d rather spend my money on clothes,” Rozier said. “I have a budget. Why not want to look nice? It’s something I just value for myself. Instead of just spending money on cars and stuff, I’d rather buy clothes. It’s just something I like.”
Over the summer Rozier explored his interest in fashion by taking part in a multi-day internship at Esquire magazine in New York.
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“It felt like I was a true intern this summer,” said Rozier, who returned to the magazine’s Manhattan offices Friday to take part in a promotional video shoot. “I didn’t have to get coffee for anyone or anything like that, but I was learning about all the different brands and seeing what they do at the magazine day by day.”
Among other things, Rozier sat in on photo shoots and took part in video chats about celebrity fashion tastes.
“It’s just something I’ve always been interested in, and I had a lot of fun,” Rozier said. “My thing is fashion. I love fashion.”
Rozier said his personal style choices are too unique to be classified in a single category. He would eventually like to have his own clothing line, like Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook.
“He’s got some crazy ideas,” Rozier said of Westbrook. “But I guess that’s part of fashion, to have your own creative ideas.”
As Rozier spoke at his locker on Saturday night, guard R.J. Hunter sat in the next stall. Hunter was asked if he would wear clothing that was designed by Rozier.
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“Yeah,” Hunter said. “He’s got swagger.”
Jackson impressive
Celtics rookie Demetrius Jackson has been used somewhat sparingly this preseason, appearing for more than four minutes in just two of Boston’s five games. But Saturday the point guard from Notre Dame crafted his second consecutive strong performance, tallying 10 points and a game-high six assists in 13 minutes in the Celtics’ 119-107 preseason win over the Knicks. He also made both of his 3-point attempts.
“Demetrius did a good job of making the right plays off pick-and-rolls,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said.
Hunter has known Jackson since they were both in elementary school, and the two were paired in the fourth quarter Saturday as they helped Boston pull away for the win.
“He’s playing really well,” Hunter said of Jackson. “I think every time he’s gotten in he’s made shots and made plays and made things happen. He plays real confident and real under control.”
Jackson has made 4 of 6 3-point attempts during the preseason and he has committed just one turnover in 35 total minutes.
In the big time
Celtics rookie Jaylen Brown had his welcome-to-the-NBA moment against the Knicks when he was matched up against nine-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony.
“It was a good experience, especially someone you kind of grow up watching,” Brown said. “And then when you get in front of them, it’s kind of like it hits you, so you’ve got to be locked in.”
Brown struggled to keep up with Anthony at times, biting on the forward’s well-known shot fakes. Brown said he accidentally swiped Anthony in the face while trying to defend him. He immediately apologized afterward.
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“He’s like, ‘Dang, rook, you trying to kill me?’ ” Brown said. “It was all love at the end of the day, so that was it.”
Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @adamhimmelsbach.