Welcome to Boston, Payton Pritchard!!!

[Tr1boy]

https://nesn.com/2020/12/marcus-smart-jayson-tatum-among-celtics-impressed-by-payton-pritchard/

Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum Among Celtics Impressed By Payton Pritchard
'He competes at a high level, and I like that'

Payton Pritchard has impressed his Boston Celtics teammates in short order.

The Celtics rookie, who Boston drafted in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft last month, was the topic of conversation Thursday during the team’s media availability.

The Oregon product first had his name mentioned when veteran guard Marcus Smart was asked if any of Boston’s new players had impressed him. He didn’t have to think twice.

“I’d probably say Payton Pritchard, for me,” Smart told reporters. “I kind of had a feeling that he would be a guy that, for me, that would be a standout, and I was looking forward to seeing what he has. He hasn’t disappointed yet.”

Jayson Tatum expressed how he appreciated that both first-rounder Aaron Nesmith and Pritchard had been working hard during the team’s training camp. The NBA All-Star did offer a pretty strong review of Pritchard, specifically, though.

“Payton, obviously, he can shoot the ball really well. He really knows how to play,” Tatum said. “He competes at a high level, and I like that.”

Celtics head coach Brad Stevens wasn’t surprised to hear Smart, and later Tatum, compliment the No. 26 overall pick. After all, the 22-year-old guard, who was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year, was known for his intensity while playing with the Ducks. It seems he’s carried that with him to Boston.

“Well, he’s tough. He knows how to play,” Stevens said of Pritchard. “He’s physical, can shoot the ball. And so I think he’s certainly had a good couple of days. What that means in the long run, big picture, there’s still a lot to sort out.

“I’m not surprised he’s stood out to Marcus. I think he’s got a lot of courage, I think he’s got a lot of grit. That’s why he was picked in the first round, and why he’s a good player.”

The Celtics will open their season against the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 23.

[CelticsElite]

If one of Prichard or Nesmith can be a “herro lite” at worst, we are very solid

[Darth_Yoda]

I think Pritchard starts the season as the primary PG backup behind Teague. But when Kemba is back I think he supplants Teague as the primary backup point.

I am liking him more and more.

I was not a fan at all on draft night and thought that he should have been picked about 15 picks LATER, but I will gladly eat crow on this one.

[Tr1boy]

I think Pritchard starts the season as the primary PG backup behind Teague. But when Kemba is back I think he supplants Teague as the primary backup point.

I am liking him more and more.

I was not a fan at all on draft night and thought that he should have been picked about 15 picks LATER, but I will gladly eat crow on this one.

There was rumors he had a promise late 1st
So Celts beat this team to it.

Teague downside I'm reading is his natural inclination to drive on the pnr.  Hasnt shown or willingness to hit the roll man.  Rather take it in himself.  Prefers to do this also vs shoot/open 3s

Useful tool to have on the team.  But I wonder if Brad will prefer PP game a little more due to a more natural pg mindset plus shooting capability.  Deep range

We will have to see how this plays out. Great opportunity for Teague, PP early in the season

[libermaniac]

I think Pritchard starts the season as the primary PG backup behind Teague. But when Kemba is back I think he supplants Teague as the primary backup point.

I am liking him more and more.

I was not a fan at all on draft night and thought that he should have been picked about 15 picks LATER, but I will gladly eat crow on this one.

I was not a fan either, and my son is named Payton and goes to U of Oregon.  Freshman, so I haven't seen him play too much.  But, I was sold when I saw that ball-handling video.  Amazing.

[gift]

I think Pritchard starts the season as the primary PG backup behind Teague. But when Kemba is back I think he supplants Teague as the primary backup point.

I am liking him more and more.

I was not a fan at all on draft night and thought that he should have been picked about 15 picks LATER, but I will gladly eat crow on this one.

I was not a fan either, and my son is named Payton and goes to U of Oregon.  Freshman, so I haven't seen him play too much.  But, I was sold when I saw that ball-handling video.  Amazing.

Ha..My son's middle name is Payton. People would always ask "like Peyton Manning?" and I'd be like "no, like Gary Payton".

[gift]

I think Pritchard starts the season as the primary PG backup behind Teague. But when Kemba is back I think he supplants Teague as the primary backup point.

I am liking him more and more.

I was not a fan at all on draft night and thought that he should have been picked about 15 picks LATER, but I will gladly eat crow on this one.

There was rumors he had a promise late 1st
So Celts beat this team to it.

Teague downside I'm reading is his natural inclination to drive on the pnr.  Hasnt shown or willingness to hit the roll man.  Rather take it in himself.  Prefers to do this also vs shoot/open 3s

Useful tool to have on the team.  But I wonder if Brad will prefer PP game a little more due to a more natural pg mindset plus shooting capability.  Deep range

We will have to see how this plays out. Great opportunity for Teague, PP early in the season

I heard someone after the draft (for whatever that's worth) say they had Pritchard in their top 20. It might have been Ryan McDonough or someone like that. So I think it's possible a few other teams ranked him higher than the rest. He wasn't even on my radar at the time.

[Darth_Yoda]

Just watching FVV videos you can see the type of game that PP should be able to employ immediately in the NBA.

I think he is going to contribute right away. COmpletely buying into him.

Recently read something about MArcus Smart stating that PP is impressing him the most. THat mean alot imo. If you can impress Marcus with your work ethic and effort and determination.

[jambr380]

Just watching FVV videos you can see the type of game that PP should be able to employ immediately in the NBA.

I think he is going to contribute right away. COmpletely buying into him.

Recently read something about Marcus Smart stating that PP is impressing him the most. THat mean alot imo. If you can impress Marcus with your work ethic and effort and determination.

Marcus said the same thing about Grant last year and he was able to find a place in the rotation pretty early on. Hopefully Payton's game translates to the NBA - I would love a cost-controlled FVV-lite on this team. He should see some early minutes with Kemba sidelined for a couple of weeks. I don't think we'll ever have to question his effort.

[Darth_Yoda]

Just watching FVV videos you can see the type of game that PP should be able to employ immediately in the NBA.

I think he is going to contribute right away. COmpletely buying into him.

Recently read something about Marcus Smart stating that PP is impressing him the most. THat mean alot imo. If you can impress Marcus with your work ethic and effort and determination.

Marcus said the same thing about Grant last year and he was able to find a place in the rotation pretty early on. Hopefully Payton's game translates to the NBA - I would love a cost-controlled FVV-lite on this team. He should see some early minutes with Kemba sidelined for a couple of weeks. I don't think we'll ever have to question his effort.

Dang, I forgot all about that.

There you have it.

Also, apparently he said something similar about Aaron.

[footey]

Great video analysis of him from CelticsBlog:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6nDbtmG2E8&feature=youtu.be

[GreenFaith1819]

Welcome, indeed.

Looks like he'd better be ready to hit the deck plates running....and I believe he will be.

I'd guess that Kemba won't be back until Jan sometime. Get well, Kemba.

Kudos to Danny for getting Teague and Pritchard.

[libermaniac]

I think Pritchard starts the season as the primary PG backup behind Teague. But when Kemba is back I think he supplants Teague as the primary backup point.

I am liking him more and more.

I was not a fan at all on draft night and thought that he should have been picked about 15 picks LATER, but I will gladly eat crow on this one.

I was not a fan either, and my son is named Payton and goes to U of Oregon.  Freshman, so I haven't seen him play too much.  But, I was sold when I saw that ball-handling video.  Amazing.

Ha..My son's middle name is Payton. People would always ask "like Peyton Manning?" and I'd be like "no, like Gary Payton".

I go with Walter. Sweetness.  ;-)

[footey]

Dislocated left finger in practice. Popped it back. Hope this doesn’t derail his early momentum

https://twitter.com/ChrisForsberg_/status/1337830526649032704?s=20

[liam]

Dislocated left finger in practice. Popped it back. Hope this doesn’t derail his early momentum

https://twitter.com/ChrisForsberg_/status/1337830526649032704?s=20

He’s tough. He just needs to rub a little dirt on it.