Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

 Do you remember Payton Pritchard in the 2022-23 season? You are forgiven if you don't. The undersized combo guard only saw action in 48 games and averaged a mere 13.4 minutes/game. That has all changed this season . In the last four games, the 28th pick (first round) in the 2020 draft is averaging: 30.5 MPG - 24.5 PPG - 5.3 RPG - 3.0 APG - 1.3 SPG - +11.5 plus/minus And how about his shooting accuracy in those four games! He nailed 55% from the field , 4 9% on threes and 90% from the foul line. Pritchard is currently leading all bench players in most ratings for 2025 Sixth-Man-of-the-Yea r - and frankly - he is already in the conversation for NBA-Most-Improved. And Payton-as-All-Star talk might begin if he keeps up these performances.  I have previously compared Payton to 6'1" former-Laker guard, Gail Goodrich , who garnered five All-Star appearances when he was finally given ample floor time. Also, on two occasions, I wrote about Pritchard's lack of minutes an...

 Celtics fans saw it all from Payton Pritchard in the Celtics win over Chicago. First of all, he pulled down seven rebounds , and four of those were off the offensive glass. He uses his lack of height to be all-but-invisible when an errant shot comes off the glass or rim. He has great timing and the physical strength to hang onto the ball. His 29 points were the second-team highest behind only Jayson Tatum. Payton shot 10-of-16 from the field - 7-of-11 on threes - and 2-of-2 from the free throw line.  His terrific body control are most on display when Pritchard takes the ball all the way to the hoop . Not being particularly quick, he needs that body control to finish on his drives - and it works. Above is the game shot chart for Pritchard. No mid-range for him, apparently. It was go for the long ball or take it in.  Payton is already in the conversation for 6th-Man-Of-The-Year , and just keeps getting better as the season progresses. The last Celtic to cop the John...