Welcome to Boston, Payton Pritchard!!!

[RodyTur10]

26th pick. Danny is a  horrible talent evaluator! 

even a  blind squirrel finds a nut now and then

When EVERY MOCK DRAFT (including those composed on this Board) had PP going either 2nd round or undrafted, I think Ainge deserves more credit than blind luck with this pick.

I had Pritchard 25th and liked him a lot as I had watched a lot of his footage, also wasn't thrilled with Nesmith picked at #14. My posts during draft day, with my mock board, and my comments on the 14th and 26th pick:

Here my mock draft / big board. Don't have time to argue for all positions. But I'll comment on a few below.

Nr   Name   Pos
1   Anthony Edwards   SG
2   James Wiseman   C
3   Killian Hayes   PG
4   LaMelo Ball   PG
5   Devin Vassell   SF
6   Onyeka Okongwu   C
7   Kira Lewis   PG
8   Aleksej Pokusevski   PF
9   RJ Hampton   PG
10   Saddiq Bey   SF
11   Xavier Tillman   C
12   Tyrese Maxey   SG
13   Desmond Bane   SG
14   Tyrese Haliburton   PG
15   Deni Avdija   PF
16   Obi Toppin   PF
17   Tyler Bey   PF
18   Isaac Okoro   SF
19   Aaron Nesmith   SF
20   Paul Reed   PF
21   Precious Achiuwa   C
22   Theo Maledon   PG
23   Josh Green   SG
24   Elijah Hughes   SG
25   Payton Pritchard   PG
26   Cole Anthony   PG
27   Sam Merrill   SF
28   Patrick Williams   PF
29   Tyrell Terry   PG
30   Tre Jones   PG
31   Jalen Smith   PF
32   Leandro Bolmaro   SG
33   Isaiah Stewart   C
34   Grant Riller   PG
35   Immanuel Quickley   SG
36   Jahm'us Ramsey   SG
37   Robert Woodard   PF
38   Zeke Nnaji   C
39   Devon Dotson   PG
40   Jaden McDaniels   PF
41   Vernon Carey   C
42   Jay Scrubb   SF
43   Udoka Azubuike   C
44   Cassius Winston   PG
45   Nico Mannion   PG

Comments:

Anthony Edwards (1): I'm fully confident he'll become an All Star with that size and shot creation ability. My clear number one pick, although Ball (ball handling/passing) and Wiseman (length/size) are intriguing.
Devin Vassell (5): I've been high on him for a while, I can see a Jonathan Isaac type of trajectory where his defense will be good and than his offense game will slowly expand.
Kira Lewis (7): He'll need time to develop, but he has pace, court vision and potential on the defensive end. Best served as a back-up point guard initially.
Aleksej Pokusevski ( 8 ): Love his skill set. Could be a unicorn. I'd be fine if the Celtics pick him at 14 as a draft and stash.
Xavier Tillman (11): I have him much higher than the mocks I've seen. He's just such a solid player in all aspects of the game that I can't see him not succeed in the NBA as a starter or high-end rotation player.
Tyrese Maxey (12): His numbers aren't very good, he makes lots of mistakes and he doesn't have the profile to be a very succesful NBA player, but his motor is unbelievable. He's one of those guys I'm sure will get 100% out of his career.
Desmond Bane (13): He's going to be a surprise. Very good shooter, but also a decent playmaker. His wingspan is very poor, but he's strong enough to not get heavily exploited I hope.
Tyrese Haliburton (14): I could be very wrong about him, but I have my doubts on his athletism and shooting form.
Tyler Bey (17): I believe Bey could be the best defender coming out of this draft. If he can become decent from the 3-point-line he'll be a very valuable player.
Payton Pritchard (25): There are questions whether his non-athletic game will translate to the NBA, but I like his clutchness and BBIQ.
Cole Anthony (26): Has tools and I understand if people want to gamble on him. When I see him play he's slow and disoriented.
Sam Merrill (27): I'm not the only one who wants him. Very impressed with his game, despite his clear limitations.
Patrick Williams (28): Fools gold. Has no game. People project skills on him that he doesn't possess.   
Jalen Smith (31): Really don't buy his ability to defend PnR. Not sure what his position/role will be. Stay away.

I'd like to see Nesmith and Achiuwa go now before #14. (only 4 picks till #14)

Saddiq Bey would be a solid pick at 14, but with Haliburton, Avdija, Vassell, Lewis (and Hampton and Pokusevski?) there are a couple of players available with high potential that would fit.

Yeah, don't exactly see Nesmith becoming a potential core player like Tatum/Brown/Smart. 
Not happy with the pick (as a shooter I'd preferred Bane).

Really weird that they settled with 14, while having 2 late first rounders to offer for a small trade up for Vassell/Haliburton/Lewis.

I'm happy with either Tillman, Bane, Bey, Reed, Pritchard or Merrill.
I expect Maledon.

I had Pritchard at #25 on my board (thought I was embarrasingly high), but I like that Ainge takes him over for example Terry, Riller or Jones.   

Sneaky good pick. Smart player, great shooter. Good value at 26.

Pritchard is going to be good!
Now Bane at 30!

@Liam: seems we have to make a front to defend Pritchard 

Would be fun to take another shooter (actually believe Tillman and Bane are the best players left overall).

figures, finally get Bane but we're shipping him out.

I like the Pritchard pick, but I'm not sure Nesmith (#14) is necessarily better than Bane (#30, traded).

[BruceBanner18]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJpeE7hA-ig/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

[tstorey_97]

In the games I watched when he was at Oregon (I was not watching because of Pritchard) he stood out as "putting out more" than the other kids. He also "played the whole game" for the Ducks and he kept all of his team mates involved.

While watching him "stone" every big he's gone up against in the lane this season, I was wondering, beyond, a brilliant handle just how a "rookie" could look so polished.

He played in 144 games for Oregon
Averaged 35 minutes
From the field? 43.7%
From three 37.9%
Senior year he averaged 20 ppg

I think in the draft, we get stormed under with all of the great talent. Like 80 kids who can rule the NBA.

A 6'2" four year point guard out of the Pac 12 that can't jump that high and had a weak junior year, but a great senior year....just got lost in the weeds.

He freezes NBA players. He has his team mates read on each play on offense and he seems to get better the longer he's on the court.

He makes some mistakes and he made some "bail out" passes to Brown and Tatum last night when Lowry was all over him, but, he looks like gold so far...we'll have to wait on platinum.

When Ainge picked him I said out loud "another small streaky point guard for Ainge!"

In 8 NBA games he is 54% from the field and 42% from three and 87% from the line....I leave it to you to insert assorted swear words here.

Well, I'm freaking wrong and Ainge is right and I continue to be ecstatic about it.

[vjcsmoke]

YUP Pritchard looks like a Scary Terry special.  Ainge hits gold on a late 1st round pick guard!

I'm not going to go into Nesmith but let's put it this way, if Ainge drafts PP #14 and Nesmith #26 nobody bats an eyelash at the draft given the results we have seen so far.

It's exciting to have a rookie who just "gets it" and fits in right away!  I'm on board with the Payton Pritchard train!  CHOO CHOO!!

In the games I watched when he was at Oregon (I was not watching because of Pritchard) he stood out as "putting out more" than the other kids. He also "played the whole game" for the Ducks and he kept all of his team mates involved.

While watching him "stone" every big he's gone up against in the lane this season, I was wondering, beyond, a brilliant handle just how a "rookie" could look so polished.

He played in 144 games for Oregon
Averaged 35 minutes
From the field? 43.7%
From three 37.9%
Senior year he averaged 20 ppg

I think in the draft, we get stormed under with all of the great talent. Like 80 kids who can rule the NBA.

A 6'2" four year point guard out of the Pac 12 that can't jump that high and had a weak junior year, but a great senior year....just got lost in the weeds.

He freezes NBA players. He has his team mates read on each play on offense and he seems to get better the longer he's on the court.

He makes some mistakes and he made some "bail out" passes to Brown and Tatum last night when Lowry was all over him, but, he looks like gold so far...we'll have to wait on platinum.

When Ainge picked him I said out loud "another small streaky point guard for Ainge!"

In 8 NBA games he is 54% from the field and 42% from three and 87% from the line....I leave it to you to insert assorted swear words here.

Well, I'm freaking wrong and Ainge is right and I continue to be ecstatic about it.

[liam]

26th pick. Danny is a  horrible talent evaluator! 

even a  blind squirrel finds a nut now and then

When EVERY MOCK DRAFT (including those composed on this Board) had PP going either 2nd round or undrafted, I think Ainge deserves more credit than blind luck with this pick.

I had Pritchard 25th and liked him a lot as I had watched a lot of his footage, also wasn't thrilled with Nesmith picked at #14. My posts during draft day, with my mock board, and my comments on the 14th and 26th pick:

Here my mock draft / big board. Don't have time to argue for all positions. But I'll comment on a few below.

Nr   Name   Pos
1   Anthony Edwards   SG
2   James Wiseman   C
3   Killian Hayes   PG
4   LaMelo Ball   PG
5   Devin Vassell   SF
6   Onyeka Okongwu   C
7   Kira Lewis   PG
8   Aleksej Pokusevski   PF
9   RJ Hampton   PG
10   Saddiq Bey   SF
11   Xavier Tillman   C
12   Tyrese Maxey   SG
13   Desmond Bane   SG
14   Tyrese Haliburton   PG
15   Deni Avdija   PF
16   Obi Toppin   PF
17   Tyler Bey   PF
18   Isaac Okoro   SF
19   Aaron Nesmith   SF
20   Paul Reed   PF
21   Precious Achiuwa   C
22   Theo Maledon   PG
23   Josh Green   SG
24   Elijah Hughes   SG
25   Payton Pritchard   PG
26   Cole Anthony   PG
27   Sam Merrill   SF
28   Patrick Williams   PF
29   Tyrell Terry   PG
30   Tre Jones   PG
31   Jalen Smith   PF
32   Leandro Bolmaro   SG
33   Isaiah Stewart   C
34   Grant Riller   PG
35   Immanuel Quickley   SG
36   Jahm'us Ramsey   SG
37   Robert Woodard   PF
38   Zeke Nnaji   C
39   Devon Dotson   PG
40   Jaden McDaniels   PF
41   Vernon Carey   C
42   Jay Scrubb   SF
43   Udoka Azubuike   C
44   Cassius Winston   PG
45   Nico Mannion   PG

Comments:

Anthony Edwards (1): I'm fully confident he'll become an All Star with that size and shot creation ability. My clear number one pick, although Ball (ball handling/passing) and Wiseman (length/size) are intriguing.
Devin Vassell (5): I've been high on him for a while, I can see a Jonathan Isaac type of trajectory where his defense will be good and than his offense game will slowly expand.
Kira Lewis (7): He'll need time to develop, but he has pace, court vision and potential on the defensive end. Best served as a back-up point guard initially.
Aleksej Pokusevski ( 8 ): Love his skill set. Could be a unicorn. I'd be fine if the Celtics pick him at 14 as a draft and stash.
Xavier Tillman (11): I have him much higher than the mocks I've seen. He's just such a solid player in all aspects of the game that I can't see him not succeed in the NBA as a starter or high-end rotation player.
Tyrese Maxey (12): His numbers aren't very good, he makes lots of mistakes and he doesn't have the profile to be a very succesful NBA player, but his motor is unbelievable. He's one of those guys I'm sure will get 100% out of his career.
Desmond Bane (13): He's going to be a surprise. Very good shooter, but also a decent playmaker. His wingspan is very poor, but he's strong enough to not get heavily exploited I hope.
Tyrese Haliburton (14): I could be very wrong about him, but I have my doubts on his athletism and shooting form.
Tyler Bey (17): I believe Bey could be the best defender coming out of this draft. If he can become decent from the 3-point-line he'll be a very valuable player.
Payton Pritchard (25): There are questions whether his non-athletic game will translate to the NBA, but I like his clutchness and BBIQ.
Cole Anthony (26): Has tools and I understand if people want to gamble on him. When I see him play he's slow and disoriented.
Sam Merrill (27): I'm not the only one who wants him. Very impressed with his game, despite his clear limitations.
Patrick Williams (28): Fools gold. Has no game. People project skills on him that he doesn't possess.   
Jalen Smith (31): Really don't buy his ability to defend PnR. Not sure what his position/role will be. Stay away.

I'd like to see Nesmith and Achiuwa go now before #14. (only 4 picks till #14)

Saddiq Bey would be a solid pick at 14, but with Haliburton, Avdija, Vassell, Lewis (and Hampton and Pokusevski?) there are a couple of players available with high potential that would fit.

Yeah, don't exactly see Nesmith becoming a potential core player like Tatum/Brown/Smart. 
Not happy with the pick (as a shooter I'd preferred Bane).

Really weird that they settled with 14, while having 2 late first rounders to offer for a small trade up for Vassell/Haliburton/Lewis.

I'm happy with either Tillman, Bane, Bey, Reed, Pritchard or Merrill.
I expect Maledon.

I had Pritchard at #25 on my board (thought I was embarrasingly high), but I like that Ainge takes him over for example Terry, Riller or Jones.   

Sneaky good pick. Smart player, great shooter. Good value at 26.

Pritchard is going to be good!
Now Bane at 30!

@Liam: seems we have to make a front to defend Pritchard 

Would be fun to take another shooter (actually believe Tillman and Bane are the best players left overall).

figures, finally get Bane but we're shipping him out.

I like the Pritchard pick, but I'm not sure Nesmith (#14) is necessarily better than Bane (#30, traded).

I was so excited on draft night about Pritchard and Bane. sorry Bane... > but most folks on this board were so mad. Like Jaylen Brown at 3 mad. I really wasn’t up for any projects but I hope Nesmith will settle down and become a shooting specialist. He looks all kinds of nervous  and sped up right now.

[liam]

The Celtics have a certain lackadaisical attitude at the end of games when it’s tied and they have the last shot. Payton Pritchard is a guy who hates to lose and plays ever possession.

[GreenlyGreeny]

It’s early, but Payton is on pace to be an all-rookie first team member and a contender for rookie of the year (alongside Edwards, Wiseman, Ball, so it’s quite remarkable seeing nearly the 30th pick hang with the top three in his rookie season). I’m extremely pleased with this development given my ongoing concerns about Kemba’s knees relative to his contract. I can now envision, or at least it is my fantasy, that next season PP will become to Kemba what Tom Brady was to Drew Bledsoe (sans injury to Kemba, of course).

[gift]

I wish we could hear Tommy gush about Payton Pritchard because you know that would be something special.

[GreenlyGreeny]

I wish we could hear Tommy gush about Payton Pritchard because you know that would be something special.

TP

[Darth_Yoda]

I was so excited on draft night about Pritchard and Bane. sorry Bane... > but most folks on this board were so mad. Like Jaylen Brown at 3 mad. I really wasn’t up for any projects but I hope Nesmith will settle down and become a shooting specialist. He looks all kinds of nervous  and sped up right now.

I did not like the Pritchard pick Thought it was way too early (didnt know about the first round promise)

Fire danny.

Fire him now.

About 7 pgs better than him in the draft left.

Undersized pg. Older than everyone else. Dannys wet dream.


He said he would pick guys they think can play right away.

Not drafting bpa will always fail.

Trade coming??!?!?!!

I hope so.

Worst draft pick since carson edwards. Sigh

I love Payton pritchard111111

I had Pritchard at #25 on my board (thought I was embarrasingly high), but I like that Ainge takes him over for example Terry, Riller or Jones.   

U should be fired too then.

That pick makes me sick. Could have taken in at 47.

Strong chance he went undrafted.

Did they even work him out???

I apparently did not want the celtics to draft NEsmith either. I know I was gutted that Kings took Haliburton, and I also really liked Hampton at 14 after him.

Nesmith was pretty low on my pre-draft list at pick 14.

[Tr1boy]

I was so excited on draft night about Pritchard and Bane. sorry Bane... > but most folks on this board were so mad. Like Jaylen Brown at 3 mad. I really wasn’t up for any projects but I hope Nesmith will settle down and become a shooting specialist. He looks all kinds of nervous  and sped up right now.

I did not like the Pritchard pick Thought it was way too early (didnt know about the first round promise)

Fire danny.

Fire him now.

About 7 pgs better than him in the draft left.

Undersized pg. Older than everyone else. Dannys wet dream.


He said he would pick guys they think can play right away.

Not drafting bpa will always fail.

Trade coming??!?!?!!

I hope so.

Worst draft pick since carson edwards. Sigh

I love Payton pritchard111111

I had Pritchard at #25 on my board (thought I was embarrasingly high), but I like that Ainge takes him over for example Terry, Riller or Jones.   

U should be fired too then.

That pick makes me sick. Could have taken in at 47.

Strong chance he went undrafted.

Did they even work him out???

I apparently did not want the celtics to draft NEsmith either. I know I was gutted that Kings took Haliburton, and I also really liked Hampton at 14 after him.

Nesmith was pretty low on my pre-draft list at pick 14.

Pritchard looking like a pretty sweet pickup at 26. At this rate should have been chosen 10 spots higher

But lets see how teams adjust.   How he deals with any slumps

His recognition to switch mismatches on D end +  slippery/creative game on offensive end, could make it tough for teams to follow a scouting report however

I still remember that one play vs Pacers last week.  Pritchard has the ball, sees something developing.  Its almost like he has bird eye vision (what the viewers on TV can see).  He tells Teague to set him a pick (ballzy) and then uses a triple pick/congestion decoy to blow by that area for the easy layup

Rondo like/from the 90s

[tonydelk]

I was so excited on draft night about Pritchard and Bane. sorry Bane... > but most folks on this board were so mad. Like Jaylen Brown at 3 mad. I really wasn’t up for any projects but I hope Nesmith will settle down and become a shooting specialist. He looks all kinds of nervous  and sped up right now.

I did not like the Pritchard pick Thought it was way too early (didnt know about the first round promise)

Fire danny.

Fire him now.

About 7 pgs better than him in the draft left.

Undersized pg. Older than everyone else. Dannys wet dream.


He said he would pick guys they think can play right away.

Not drafting bpa will always fail.

Trade coming??!?!?!!

I hope so.

Worst draft pick since carson edwards. Sigh

I love Payton pritchard111111

I had Pritchard at #25 on my board (thought I was embarrasingly high), but I like that Ainge takes him over for example Terry, Riller or Jones.   

U should be fired too then.

That pick makes me sick. Could have taken in at 47.

Strong chance he went undrafted.

Did they even work him out???

I apparently did not want the celtics to draft NEsmith either. I know I was gutted that Kings took Haliburton, and I also really liked Hampton at 14 after him.

Nesmith was pretty low on my pre-draft list at pick 14.

Pritchard looking like a pretty sweet pickup at 26. At this rate should have been chosen 10 spots higher

But lets see how teams adjust.   How he deals with any slumps

His recognition to switch mismatches on D end +  slippery/creative game on offensive end, could make it tough for teams to follow a scouting report however

I still remember that one play vs Pacers last week.  Pritchard has the ball, sees something developing.  Its almost like he has bird eye vision (what the viewers on TV can see).  He tells Teague to set him a pick (ballzy) and then uses a triple pick/congestion decoy to blow by that area for the easy layup

Rondo like/from the 90s

A scouting report can't help with instincts.  This kid has them.  Crafty player.  He does a lot of the same stuff that Goran Dragic does.  I had no clue this kid could finish in the pain like he does.  You can't teach this.  He uses his body well to push the defender off to make room.  That play that he put on Dragic was exceptional.  Dragic did the same to Timelord earlier in the game.  Plus his shooting.   Kid can shoot.  If you close out he blows by you.  The thing IMO that makes PP so good is his handle.  Never stops dribbling.  Great vision.  Scouting report is going to just say FastPP is a baller. 

[Tr1boy]

Another hero job by Pritchard

He doesnt need the ball to impact winning. Clutch rebounds

[tstorey_97]

Pritchard didn't shoot well against Heat, but, tonight he was $$.

He made a couple of good plays underneath at both ends tonight, I think he will improve more as he goes. He is on a team with a lot of really good players and he will adjust and is adjusting to that.

I think it is great for him to be playing on this team as the Celtics are committed to defense and have pride in it. A great start to his career.

PP!

[Tr1boy]

Pritchard didn't shoot well against Heat, but, tonight he was $$.

He made a couple of good plays underneath at both ends tonight, I think he will improve more as he goes. He is on a team with a lot of really good players and he will adjust and is adjusting to that.

I think it is great for him to be playing on this team as the Celtics are committed to defense and have pride in it. A great start to his career.

PP!

$$ - highlight tonight. Doesnt include 2 late game clutch O rebounds
https://youtu.be/0P1BRJ9VsUA