Payton Pritchard is having a career year. We are only 13 games into the season, but it’s hard not to be blown away by the performance of Pritchard to start the year, who may have turned in his best performance of the season against the Brooklyn Nets. Pritchard submitted a statline of 23 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. That’s a stat line reserved for superstars.
Payton Pritchard consistently provides a spark, especially when the starters get off to a slow start, like in both games against the Milwaukee Bucks, where Pritchard had 19 and 17 points in the first halves, respectively. He also plays a crucial role in extending the reign of terror the Celtics typically inflict on their opponents. It has to be demoralising for opponents to work hard and play the Celtics close, or even build a lead, only for Payton Pritchard to come off the bench and bang five three-pointers — something Pritchard has already done six times this season. Jayson Tatum, similar to myself, appreciates Payton Pritchard’s impact.
“A lot of times, he changes the course of a game”
What’s always pleasantly surprising about Payton Pritchard’s game is that he impacts the game outside of just his scoring. He is not your typical sixth man of the year who can fill up the points column on the box score but gives it up on the other end. Pritchard is an elite offensive rebounder for his position and size. I’m not sure how he did this in the Nets game.
And I think I’m ready to say Pritchard is a good defender. Post up Payton Pritchard at your own risk. He will make you work. It’s fantastic that Pritchard offers more than just scoring. However, scoring is the most valuable thing Payton Pritchard does on a basketball court. Pritchard is supplying the Boston Celtics with 16 points per game off the bench on 67.4% true shooting. That is otherwordly efficiency. Those are numbers typically reserved for big men who take shots exclusively around the basket. Not bombs from 28 feet away from the hoop. I would expect that efficiency to come down to some degree, but for now, we can revel in its absurdity.
We can attiribute the leap that Payton Pritchard is experiencing largely to his relentless work ethic, but I think we should acknowledge the role his coaches and teammates have played in this latest devleopment. There are three previous all-stars on this roster, soon to be four with Kristaps Porzingis returning, and soon to be five when Derrick White makes his first all-star team. It would not be out of the ordinary for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, as the superstars on the best team in the league, to prefer some of Payton Pritchard’s shots leave their hands instead of his. On this team, the superstars encourage the role players to be themselves and to be aggressive. Jayson Tatum will continue to weaponise Payton Pritchard.
“I just hope Payton continues to play with the confidence that he has, because he makes us a better team”.
I have wonderful news for Jayson Tatum. I don’t think Payton Pritchard’s confidence is going anywhere anytime soon.
