Payton Pritchard and the Celtics are off to a great start this season, and there is a correlation there. The 6'1" guard is averaging an efficient 16.5 points per game - hitting on 47% of his field goals, 43% of his 3-pointers, and 96% of his free throws.
Pritchard also rebounds well and works his butt off on defense - but his one weakness (other than his lack of height) would be his passing skills. Some may feel his lack of height is to blame for his low assist rate this season (2.5 APG), but two former 6'1" Boston guards may prove that theory wrong.
K C. Jones, at 6'1" averaged 5.5 assists/game as a starter in Beantown, and later in the Celtics history, Rajon Rondo (also 6'1") averaged 7.9 APG for his entire career. And while we are on it, Isaiah Thomas - generously listed at 5'9" - averaged 5.8 APG in his three seasons with The Green.
Being able to see over the opposition may be an asset to any NBA player trying to get the ball to his comrades, but it is not a necessity. I use K C, Rondo and IT as Exhibits A, B and C.
Working on his passing skills should be a priority for Payton Pritchard. He has proven himself to be a solid bench guy for Boston - and could be a starter for at least a few NBA teams - but he needs to find a way to get the ball to his teammates - more often and in better positions to score.
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