Eyes On Payton Pritchard

 

    The theme so far in these "eyes on" could be perceived as overreacting to what these prospects are bringing in the preseason. When in reality it simply highlights what they can bring when given the opportunity to get to work.

    Payton Pritchard is in this group certainly, while he is older then the other prospects highlighted before, Payton Pritchard has a break out season written all over him. Last season with a log jam at guard the kid became somewhat frustrated with his role on the team being minimized to the maximum. Especially with a contract year around the corner, it can be an unnerving time period. Pritchard's role was essentially garbage time, the kid was going into his 3rd year in the league and was looking for a larger role to show what he could bring to an NBA team.

    The Celtics knew what they had with Pritchard and gave him a Contract to keep him in Beantown, the kid is on an absolute tear in the pre season. Averaging 19 points a night and becoming the leader of the 2nd unit. Horford and Pritchard will be the bodies down the bench, it looks to be a gutsy move by Stevens... at every corner, Brad Stevens doubled down on what he had with Pritchard, gave him an ample role leading the bench, the kid has a shot for 6th man of the year, and most improved player.

   Pritchard in the first two games of the Pre season were against the Philadelphia 76ers where he dropped a whopping 26 points. Followed by a 21 point performance in Madison Square Garden against the New York Mets. When given ample opportunity Pritchard has demonstrated the ability to be a lockdown catch and shoot, shooter. (his role in the prior season) he is now a self creator, when the offense is running in mud, Pritchard has the ability to create his own shot, perfecting the role of a spark plug off the bench that can reinvigorate the offense and do it on his own, with his energy.

    The kid has always been an underrated rebounder, his speed agility and IQ have allowed the 6ft 1 guard to out rebound typical NBA giants through timing and body control. The definite weakness that comes to Pritchard comes down to the defensive end of the floor. He can be a pesky defender for different guards but wings and forwards will simply shoot over him. The Celtics have run this exact situation multiple times before with guards Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas. The Boston Celtics are so talented on defense they have been able to hide these guards in the past and still run a top defense in the league.

    For the most part it comes down to communication, communicating on and off ball screens understanding what the offense is trying to accomplish, their plan for scoring the ball. Help defending as a unit and understanding exactly what each players role is on defense. If the Boston Celtics can get back to their roots as the best defensive team in the league and they take pride in it again not only are they a lock for the title, but Pritchard will thrive. The Boston Celtics have one last pre season game tomorrow at 7pm in Charlotte. Then we Tip off game 1 of 82 next Wednesday in Madison Square at 7pm, get ready! Its different here...