The Celtics have not had much luck over the past years in drafting quality players late in the first round . Rajon Rondo does come to mind, being acquired on draft night in 2006 from the Phoenix Suns who took the 6'1" guard at #21. The 4-time All-Star won Championships with both Boston (2008) and the Los Angeles Lakers (2020). Now comes Payton Pritchard , snatched with the 26th pick in the 2020 draft. After nine games this season, the 6'1" rookie has opened some eyes in Beantown. The 9-game sample is small, but the Oregon product has played like an NBA veteran since his first appearance as a member of the Celtics. Although not a direct comparison of both players, their rookie numbers are somewhat similar: Rondo: 23.5 MPG, 6.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.8 TOs/game Pritchard: 22.9 MPG, 8.3 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.8 TOs/game Payton is the better shooter in all three categories, but Rondo, even today, is still not known as a dead-eye marksman. Rondo: 4...
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