Don't expect Payton Pritchard to share All-Star status with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but the 6'1" combo guard seems to have solidified his role for the Boston Celtics. He is averaging 7.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG and 3.1 APG - while experiencing a career-low 0.5 turnovers per game this season.
In Boston's close loss to the Thunder last night, he was on the floor for all of the fourth quarter. Coach Joe Mazzulla credited Pritchard with applying "good ball pressure" and a "level of physicality defensively" - further adding that Payton "helped us get back into the game".
Whether Pritchard's career-high 20.6 minutes per game indicate increased trust in his game - or are indicative of a trade prior to the deadline remains in question. Danny Ainge previously spoke of the importance of having "shooting with size" (a big man that can shoot the ball). Brad Stevens filled the need by bringing Kristaps Porzingis to Boston.
And both Ainge and Brad Stevens favored having a number of mid-sized wings to avoid size mismatches. Pritchard doesn't check either box. He is only 6'1", but he has proven to be a reliable bench guy, and with increased minutes, he seems to be gaining confidence while improving his overall game. "Payton's Place" is in Boston.
Comments
Post a Comment