Payton Pritchard says PRabbit, PRabbit on the First of Every Month

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

Okay, it's possible I started this thread just so I could post this tweet, but if this isn't everything we know about Payton Pritchard, I don't know what is:

View: https://twitter.com/CTabatabaie/status/1850587641051308398


Three games in, he's playing a career high 24 minutes a game, shooting 42% from three on a career-high 8.7 attempts a game, and is even averaging more than a FT per game, on his way to 12.3 points a game. And yet he still has not made a 2-point field goal!

Given how much time I expect the Cs to spend in Blowout City, this may not even be a fluke.

Will Pritch keep his turnovers to .3 a game? Will he improve on his 3.4 assists per game from last season? Will he ever hit a 2-pointer? Use this new thread to discuss.

 

[Montana Fan]

Love the Marcus/Jaylen yell for the and one. Dude just loves to play hoop. Thanks for posting the video.

 

[the moops]

Can anyone tell where that court is?

 

[Leon Trotsky]

Can anyone tell where that court is?

I'm pretty sure its in the Seaport off Congress. Its a great snapshot.

 

[snowmanny]

That was his best chance to do the too small. Missed opportunity.

 

[Euclis20]

That was his best chance to do the too small. Missed opportunity.

He's done it before:

View: https://youtu.be/rf15MU2cVjA?si=vZ3Ex8zSqkx3yzeT

 

[PRabbit]

Appreciate the love, guys.

 

[lovegtm]

He's done it before:

View: https://youtu.be/rf15MU2cVjA?si=vZ3Ex8zSqkx3yzeT

Herro's arms are so short that maybe he really is too small, even compared to PP.

 

[benhogan]

Okay, it's possible I started this thread just so I could post this tweet, but if this isn't everything we know about Payton Pritchard, I don't know what is:

View: https://twitter.com/CTabatabaie/status/1850587641051308398


Three games in, he's playing a career high 24 minutes a game, shooting 42% from three on a career-high 8.7 attempts a game, and is even averaging more than a FT per game, on his way to 12.3 points a game. And yet he still has not made a 2-point field goal!

Given how much time I expect the Cs to spend in Blowout City, this may not even be a fluke.

Will Pritch keep his turnovers to .3 a game? Will he improve on his 3.4 assists per game from last season? Will he ever hit a 2-pointer? Use this new thread to discuss.

The kid put in more resistance than Luka in the Finals

 

[Ale Xander]

Can anyone tell where that court is?

I'm pretty sure its in the Seaport off Congress. Its a great snapshot.

https://www.bostonseaport.xyz/places/sea-green

 

[lovegtm]

Leaving aside the %, Pritchard's volume increase is crazy, given that he already liked to shoot it. Up to 12.4 3pt attempts/36, from 7.5 last year.

He said he worked a lot on shooting off the dribble, and that's definitely where most of the extra volume is coming from. He's a very different player when he's trying to pull up behind every screen.

 

[Euclis20]

Seems like the Celtics tv crew is trying to hype him up as a 6th MOY with seemed ridiculous to me at first, but he's averaging an ultra efficient 16/3/3, which would definitely be in the ballpark from a stats perspective. Add in that the Celtics will be really good and his end of quarter shots has given him national attention, and he's got a real chance. Glancing at the odds he's either 2nd (behind Malik Monk) or 3rd (Mathurin), which is kind of crazy remembering how he asked for a trade less than 2 years ago because he couldn't get any playing time. Great for him.

 

[Strike4]

Seems like the Celtics tv crew is trying to hype him up as a 6th MOY with seemed ridiculous to me at first, but he's averaging an ultra efficient 16/3/3, which would definitely be in the ballpark from a stats perspective. Add in that the Celtics will be really good and his end of quarter shots has given him national attention, and he's got a real chance. Glancing at the odds he's either 2nd (behind Malik Monk) or 3rd (Mathurin), which is kind of crazy remembering how he asked for a trade less than 2 years ago because he couldn't get any playing time. Great for him.

I think the front office deserves some credit for navigating that, too, especially with a 6'1" player.

When I see Pritchard dropping 22 points in 29 shots minutes my thought is "he's going to be great for the Celtics in the regular season to keep the starters healthy while securing the #1 seed".

 

[tbrown_01923]

When I see Pritchard dropping 22 points on 29 shots, my thought is "he's going to be great for the Celtics in the regular season to keep the starters healthy while securing the #1 seed".

Is this Saturday? if so it was a much more efficient 22 points on 12 shots.

 

[Strike4]

Is this Saturday? if so it was a much more efficient 22 points on 12 shots.

Sorry that should have been 29 minutes!

 

[lovegtm]

I think the front office deserves some credit for navigating that, too, especially with a 6'1" player.

When I see Pritchard dropping 22 points on 29 shots, my thought is "he's going to be great for the Celtics in the regular season to keep the starters healthy while securing the #1 seed".

The big change he made is shooting 3s off the dribble. Completely changes his profile and upside as a player.

 

[Strike4]

The big change he made is shooting 3s off the dribble. Completely changes his profile and upside as a player.

I think he's always had the tricky stuff up his sleeve - the thing where he catches bigger defenders flat-footed at the rim and scores despite his size, the quick jumpers in the lane, the fast breaks - but he was playing the good soldier and kept that under his hat to fill the role the team asked of him. If he did otherwise he would have been out.

 

[lovegtm]

I think he's always had the tricky stuff up his sleeve - the thing where he catches bigger defenders flat-footed at the rim and scores despite his size, the quick jumpers in the lane, the fast breaks - but he was playing the good soldier and kept that under his hat to fill the role the team asked of him. If he did otherwise he would have been out.

No, his pullup 3% was bad before this year, and he said he specifically worked on that aspect of this game over the summer. It's a skill change that goes beyond the team's giving him a bigger role.

 

[Jimbodandy]

Yeah, he has improved. I don't think that he kept this stuff in his bag. The bullying other guys under the rim, then squeeze off his shot--he is leveraging increased core strength to do that. Skinny guys were ragdolling him two years ago. Now he's bullying people. It's a credit to him that he has developed a few areas while he waited, mostly patiently.

 

[chilidawg]

Yeah, he has improved. I don't think that he kept this stuff in his bag. The bullying other guys under the rim, then squeeze off his shot--he is leveraging increased core strength to do that. Skinny guys were ragdolling him two years ago. Now he's bullying people. It's a credit to him that he has developed a few areas while he waited, mostly patiently.

I feel like his on ball defense has gotten better as well, especially full court pressure. Maybe he's just doing it more, but it really made a difference in the 4thQ comeback against Indy.

 

[lovegtm]

I feel like his on ball defense has gotten better as well, especially full court pressure. Maybe he's just doing it more, but it really made a difference in the 4thQ comeback against Indy.

When you get stronger as a 6-1 guard with shorter wingspan, you can start doing the Lowry/FVV thing where you get up into guys to bother their shooting pocket, so they can't shoot over you as easily. At the same time, the strength makes you hard to back down.

 

[TripleOT]

Yeah, he has improved. I don't think that he kept this stuff in his bag. The bullying other guys under the rim, then squeeze off his shot--he is leveraging increased core strength to do that. Skinny guys were ragdolling him two years ago. Now he's bullying people. It's a credit to him that he has developed a few areas while he waited, mostly patiently.

Playing Jaylen Brown one on one for lots of hours helped too.

The fact that there isn’t a path for him to start in Boston is actually an advantage for Pritchard, as he will be going against reserves for much of his playing time. Being a microwave off the bench for a stacked championship team is a pretty good gig. Boston was smart to give him that 4/$30 million deal.

 

[Ale Xander]

Playing Jaylen Brown one on one for lots of hours helped too.

The fact that there isn’t a path for him to start in Boston is actually an advantage for Pritchard, as he will be going against reserves for much of his playing time. Being a microwave off the bench for a stacked championship team is a pretty good gig. Boston was smart to give him that 4/$30 million deal.

Yup. Vinnie Johnson, Jamal
Crawford, Lou Williams etc

 

[mwonow]

I still sweat a little when I hear Vinnie Johnson's name

 

[lovegtm]

Didn't realize PP's shooting % is being dragged down by being 2-13 on 30+ foot shots (mostly heaves).

He's shooting 47% without that, on way higher volume, and more off-the-dribble shots.

 

[DavidTai]

Missed this last week but apparently Mad Joe designed a drill around PP's D.

https://nesn.com/2024/11/how-celtics-use-payton-pritchard-to-run-strenuous-drill-during-practices/

 

[DGreenwood]

Missed this last week but apparently Mad Joe designed a drill around PP's D.

https://nesn.com/2024/11/how-celtics-use-payton-pritchard-to-run-strenuous-drill-during-practices/

That article is confusing, but in the interview it references, Jrue is not talking about going against PP's D in that full court drill. He's talking about guarding PP in the full court drill. Here's the clip

View: https://youtu.be/Iyjbf3KLVP4?t=316

 

[skidmark21]

Early season leader for 6MOY

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/42512414/nba-early-season-awards-expert-picks-mvp-roy-more-far

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Early season leader for 6MOY

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/42512414/nba-early-season-awards-expert-picks-mvp-roy-more-far

He was 20-1 on October 29th.

 

[lovegtm]

PP did a good job on Harden last night. He stayed really into him and didn't let him get off those stepback 3s. Still can be targeted by taller guys, but he's really improved against guards/some wings.

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

He was 20-1 on October 29th.
View attachment 92309

On 11/15, I got it at +200. I am curious as to what it is now.

 

[bankshot1]

The guy is just so much fun to watch. He always busts his ass and his confidence and energy is such a huge plus.

IMO he's Pedey at point guard and he's probably good at cribbage.

Love the guy.

 

[benhogan]

He was 20-1 on October 29th.
View attachment 92309

Good work

6th man microwave is the perfect role for Payton. He can always find someone to guard when facing opposing benches, lots of ball handling/initiating, & he can elevate his USG with 1 or 2 of the JAYs/White sitting.

Plenty of shots for PP coming off the bench

 

[Euclis20]

JB approves:

View: https://twitter.com/FCHWPO/status/1861181452412396029

 

[HomeRunBaker]

On 11/15, I got it at +200. I am curious as to what it is now.

+160 the other day with nobody else below +700. I think it was Hield and Mathurin.

 

[radsoxfan]

PP is fun to watch.

I'm sure he would get exposed to some degree if a team wanted him to be a high level starter, but as our 7th man.... pretty pretty pretty good.

 

[lovegtm]

PP is fun to watch.

I'm sure he would get exposed to some degree if a team wanted him to be a high level starter, but as our 7th man.... pretty pretty pretty good.

I get the desire to avoid Green Googles smears, but would he get that exposed? There are plenty of guards in the league who start and are worse defensively, without being much better offensively.

PP is just....good at NBA basketball.

 

[lovegtm]

Also, he's now shooting 44% on 11 3s per 36. A huge % of those are either self-created or way behind the line, which are both more valuable than normal spot-ups.

 

[radsoxfan]

I get the desire to avoid Green Googles smears, but would he get that exposed? There are plenty of guards in the league who start and are worse defensively, without being much better offensively.

PP is just....good at NBA basketball.

It was meant to be a Pro--PP post.... exposed in the sense that he benefits from being a supporting cast member rather than a focal point of the D.

I don't think he would be unplayable or somehow stop being good at basketball.

But if a team tried to cast him as one of their best players, I'm not sure that team would be particularly good.

 

[ALiveH]

I said before the season started that Pritchard could start for half the teams in the league and nobody agreed with me.

http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?threads/pritchard-extended.40700/post-6315406

 

[benhogan]

I said before the season started that Pritchard could start for half the teams in the league and nobody agreed with me.

http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?threads/pritchard-extended.40700/post-6315406

Good call.

I liked the idea of PP "starting" on many teams (lottery variety) to start the year, but the list is growing.

Just glad we're not moving him for back-up Centers

 

[DavidTai]

View: https://twitter.com/taylorcsnow/status/1862701281296429487

 

[InstaFace]

Guess we need to periodically check the number of starting PG jobs we think Pritchard would hold down right now.

I presume the list includes, debatably, some number of these:

Spoiler: Definitely Not

OKC - Gilgeous-Alexander
DAL - Doncic
GSW - Curry
IND - Haliburton
BOS - White
LAC - Harden
NYK - Brunson
PHX - Booker? But if it's Tyus Jones, it's a fair question
PHI - Maxey
SAC - Fox
MIL - Lillard (though he certainly fits lovegtm's description above)
CHA - Lamelo
ORL - Suggs
MEM - Morant, but if he's out and it's Pippen, it's debatable
HOU - VanVleet

Spoiler: No... but I mean, look at the contracts, consider the value

DEN - Murray
ATL - Trae Young
CLE - Garland
MIN - Conley
MIA - Rozier?
LAL - D'Angelo Russell

WAS - Carlton Carrington? Or Brogdon for that matter
DET - Cunningham
POR - Scoot Henderson is terrible
CHI - Giddey (unless you want to argue it's Coby White)
SAS - Chris Paul
BKN - Schröder
UTA - Keyonte George
TOR - Davion Mitchell?
NOP - Alvarado? Brandon Boston? Total committee down there

I think Pritchard probably wins out over half of those guys.

 

[benhogan]

I said before the season started that Pritchard could start for half the teams in the league and nobody agreed with me.

http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?threads/pritchard-extended.40700/post-6315406

I do love PP in the 6th man role better than starting.

1. PP gets more FGA & ballhandling opportunities playing with the bench. Retains a high USG%
2. Opposing bench defenses are not as organized, PP is adept at exploiting this
3. PP will not get as exposed defensively versus opposing bench players

Even though PP has played a lot better than Sam, I'd be more inclined to start Hauser over PP if any of the JAYs, White or Jrue were out for an extended period. Mostly due to fit.

 

[lovegtm]

Guess we need to periodically check the number of starting PG jobs we think Pritchard would hold down right now.

I presume the list includes, debatably, some number of these:

Spoiler: Definitely Not

OKC - Gilgeous-Alexander
DAL - Doncic
GSW - Curry
IND - Haliburton
BOS - White
LAC - Harden
NYK - Brunson
PHX - Booker? But if it's Tyus Jones, it's a fair question
PHI - Maxey
SAC - Fox
MIL - Lillard (though he certainly fits lovegtm's description above)
CHA - Lamelo
ORL - Suggs
MEM - Morant, but if he's out and it's Pippen, it's debatable
HOU - VanVleet

Spoiler: No... but I mean, look at the contracts, consider the value

DEN - Murray
ATL - Trae Young
CLE - Garland
MIN - Conley
MIA - Rozier?
LAL - D'Angelo Russell

WAS - Carlton Carrington? Or Brogdon for that matter
DET - Cunningham
POR - Scoot Henderson is terrible
CHI - Giddey (unless you want to argue it's Coby White)
SAS - Chris Paul
BKN - Schröder
UTA - Keyonte George
TOR - Davion Mitchell?
NOP - Alvarado? Brandon Boston? Total committee down there

I think Pritchard probably wins out over half of those guys.

One thing about PP: he could play with a lot of those bigger PGs, and play the SG role on the team. He'd be fine next to:
- SGA
- Booker
- White
- maybe Harden?
- maybe Luka? That gets rough defensively though
- Suggs
- Cunningham

 

[lovegtm]

It was meant to be a Pro--PP post.... exposed in the sense that he benefits from being a supporting cast member rather than a focal point of the D.

I don't think he would be unplayable or somehow stop being good at basketball.

But if a team tried to cast him as one of their best players, I'm not sure that team would be particularly good.

100% he couldn't be cast as a best player. A lot of decent teams could use 4th to 7th best players at $7M/year though!

 

[Justthetippett]

I said before the season started that Pritchard could start for half the teams in the league and nobody agreed with me.

http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?threads/pritchard-extended.40700/post-6315406

At this rate he's playing himself into a starting role on the Cs in 2025. Depends on Jrue of course but he's opening up options.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I get the desire to avoid Green Googles smears, but would he get that exposed? There are plenty of guards in the league who start and are worse defensively, without being much better offensively.

PP is just....good at NBA basketball.

He has really really improved from 2-3 years ago and no longer would be out of place playing starters minutes somewhere. I’d have concerns in the playoffs if he were my starter but this kid has made leaps each of the past two seasons under Mazzulla.

 

[tbrown_01923]

This thread is all over the place, so I might as well throw in.

He is definitely better playing against 2nd units, but we really have seen enough to expect (and have seen him) him to be able to play against 1st unit reasonably well. He's worked on his strength and his defensive positioning. He has a good motor. Perhaps the game has slowed down enough and the strength / positioning advanced enough for him to demonstrate what the scouting videos showed.

I keep coming back to the question - could he put up all star numbers - a la Dana barros 94/95 76ers? It was not a good team, and a very different league back then. But as the alpha on a bottoming out team, he could be an entertaining draw... again prolly not on a playoff aspiring team...

 

[Eddie Jurak]

I get the desire to avoid Green Googles smears, but would he get that exposed? There are plenty of guards in the league who start and are worse defensively, without being much better offensively.

PP is just....good at NBA basketball.

I think the potential exposure would be in the playoffs. Do you think last year's Celtics win it without White or Holiday? Or this year's team? Give them back Marcus (or anyone who is considered a good backup guard) to come off the bench.

I do love PP in the 6th man role better than starting.

1. PP gets more FGA & ballhandling opportunities playing with the bench. Retains a high USG%
2. Opposing bench defenses are not as organized, PP is adept at exploiting this
3. PP will not get as exposed defensively versus opposing bench players

Even though PP has played a lot better than Sam, I'd be more inclined to start Hauser over PP if any of the JAYs, White or Jrue were out for an extended period. Mostly due to fit.

I'm still not a fan of the 3 guard lineups, so Pritchard would not be my choice to start if Brown or Tatum is out. Starting him if White or Holiday is out creates a rotation problem, as you need one of PP and White/Holiday on the floor at almost all times. I think they would rather have White/Holiday minutes not taken by Pritchard go to one of their backup wings rather than one of their backup ballhandlers (Springer and JDD).

Plus you don't want to kill his 6th man of the year vibes by giving him too many starts.