BOSTON – The Celtics are nearing the third mark of their season as they have remained one of the best teams in the league at 21-5. In the midst of that beginning, Payton Pritchard has remained one of his biggest surprises as he has elevated his game to heights that only he could really see coming.
Pritchard is the early favorite for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, even though there’s still a lot of season left to play. He is averaging 16.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. making a career-high 43.5% of his 3-pointers. But there’s one Area C coach Joe Mazzulla noted that really helps elevate his game.
“One of his strengths is that he plays without expectations,” Mazzulla said. “He doesn’t wait to get the ball. He doesn’t expect to have a playcall. He doesn’t expect to affect a match that way. Just go into every game with an open mind. He does a great job when he’s on the bench being aware of giving the game what it needs, whether it’s offensively, defensively, or both. And when you play with that kind of freedom, you can influence the game in a lot of different ways.”
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Mazzulla noted how Pritchard affects the game differently each night. He’s had two straight games with a double-double, but he’s done it in different ways. One night, it was 10 assists against the Pistons. He then followed that up with a game-high 11 rebounds in the Wizards’ win.
Pritchard, above all, has trusted the process with the Celtics. Just a few seasons ago, buried on the depth chart behind three capable point guards, the Oregon product wanted to trade for a bigger opportunity. Instead, the team retained him. now, Pritchard looks like one of the best signings in the league as the C’s gave him a four-year, $30 million extension last season.
There’s still a lot of basketball left to play, but it’s clear that Pritchard has earned more shots and opportunities. But as Mazzulla pointed out, he doesn’t necessarily see it that way. That’s how Pritchard played in past seasons when minutes weren’t guaranteed. A couple of seasons ago, when I had rare nights where I would go out and see the court, I was often still playing the right way. He has now brought the same mentality to every game he plays in the present.
“It’s not something I really think about,” Pritchard said of the awards after the Pistons’ win. “If I’m lucky enough to win, I think that’s a testament to the hard work that I’ve put in, and I think it just means that I’ve helped this team come off the bench and do my job at a high level. It’s not like if I don’t win or I win, it’s not make or break for me.”