Prichard out of rotation, a mistake

[droopdog7]

Coaching is about choices.  Who is PP going to play over?  I don’t see anyone.  And you can’t be scraping minutes here or there because that takes away from the effectiveness of others and doesn’t really help PP to get scrap minutes.

So we have Richardson, who is a useful vet, and will remain a better player in the short run. However, playing him destroys the ability of the team to develop 3 different younger players, two of whom could become better than him down the road.

So yeah, its about choices. I would prefer to play Langford and Nesmith. If they aren't showing improvement at about 2/3 of the way through the season, start playing Richardson to get him ready for the playoffs.

I'd rather see Richardson as insurance, and develop Langford and Nesmith. I'm not sure there was going to be any place for Pritchard once we lucked onto Schroder. We should have traded him for whatever we could get, even a 2nd rounder.

so Richardson sitting on the bench for 2/3 of a season, after just being resigned to a new deal, to give time to lesser players in the hopes they develop into useful rotation players RATHER THAN playing the better player to win games when we're having a lot of difficulty doing that very thing is the route you're proposing to go?  No thanks.  I'd rather win games and get a better playoff seed, avoid the play-in round and try to have HCA at least through the first round if not second.

Any team that doesn't carve out room to develop talent is giving up on their best opportunity to improve. Richardson is fully baked. He's a a very solid rotation guy, but isn't a plus starter. 

After Tatum, we have had 8 1st rounders, one of which became the Horford and salary space that got us Richardson. We currently have Robert Williams starting and Grant Williams as a steady but very replaceable rotation guy. That is a major team failure unless Langford and Nesmith emerge as useful players.

I get it. Richardson will be the better option for one and maybe two years. But if Langford and Nesmith developed into solid rotation players at the level Richardson is at, we go up a notch in talent and salary cap management. Being a bit better short term isn't worth it. We aren't winning anything if we don't take some chances at improving.

Richardson just turned 28.  He will be in his prime for several more seasons.  Very good chance he is better than Langford or Nesmith for the entirety of their respective careers. 

The simple reality is, Nesmith and Pritchard just haven't shown enough to have earned more minutes (they both are playing over 9 mpg in 19 games, so it isn't like they aren't seeing the floor).  Langford has been better which is why he is getting double the minutes of the other two young players. There are plenty of minutes available, they all aren't going to get them, but they could all be getting more if they had earned more.

Pretty much agree with many of these points.  The young guys will play when/if they earn it.  You can't look at your locker room with a straight face if you're playing guys that haven't earned it over those that have.  Romeo and Nesmith is one thing, but as far as PP is concerned, it's entirely possible that the team doesn't see anything more than a career spot minutes player.  You're not gonna bend over backwards to give that guy minutes.

The point about playing these guys for 2/3's of the season and maybe bringing Rich back for the playoffs is laughable.  We might not make the playoffs with those guys starting.

[liam]

Coaching is about choices.  Who is PP going to play over?  I don’t see anyone.  And you can’t be scraping minutes here or there because that takes away from the effectiveness of others and doesn’t really help PP to get scrap minutes.

So we have Richardson, who is a useful vet, and will remain a better player in the short run. However, playing him destroys the ability of the team to develop 3 different younger players, two of whom could become better than him down the road.

So yeah, its about choices. I would prefer to play Langford and Nesmith. If they aren't showing improvement at about 2/3 of the way through the season, start playing Richardson to get him ready for the playoffs.

I'd rather see Richardson as insurance, and develop Langford and Nesmith. I'm not sure there was going to be any place for Pritchard once we lucked onto Schroder. We should have traded him for whatever we could get, even a 2nd rounder.

so Richardson sitting on the bench for 2/3 of a season, after just being resigned to a new deal, to give time to lesser players in the hopes they develop into useful rotation players RATHER THAN playing the better player to win games when we're having a lot of difficulty doing that very thing is the route you're proposing to go?  No thanks.  I'd rather win games and get a better playoff seed, avoid the play-in round and try to have HCA at least through the first round if not second.

Any team that doesn't carve out room to develop talent is giving up on their best opportunity to improve. Richardson is fully baked. He's a a very solid rotation guy, but isn't a plus starter. 

After Tatum, we have had 8 1st rounders, one of which became the Horford and salary space that got us Richardson. We currently have Robert Williams starting and Grant Williams as a steady but very replaceable rotation guy. That is a major team failure unless Langford and Nesmith emerge as useful players.

I get it. Richardson will be the better option for one and maybe two years. But if Langford and Nesmith developed into solid rotation players at the level Richardson is at, we go up a notch in talent and salary cap management. Being a bit better short term isn't worth it. We aren't winning anything if we don't take some chances at improving.

Richardson just turned 28.  He will be in his prime for several more seasons.  Very good chance he is better than Langford or Nesmith for the entirety of their respective careers. 

The simple reality is, Nesmith and Pritchard just haven't shown enough to have earned more minutes (they both are playing over 9 mpg in 19 games, so it isn't like they aren't seeing the floor).  Langford has been better which is why he is getting double the minutes of the other two young players. There are plenty of minutes available, they all aren't going to get them, but they could all be getting more if they had earned more.

Pretty much agree with many of these points.  The young guys will play when/if they earn it.  You can't look at your locker room with a straight face if you're playing guys that haven't earned it over those that have.  Romeo and Nesmith is one thing, but as far as PP is concerned, it's entirely possible that the team doesn't see anything more than a career spot minutes player.  You're not gonna bend over backwards to give that guy minutes.

The point about playing these guys for 2/3's of the season and maybe bringing Rich back for the playoffs is laughable.  We might not make the playoffs with those guys starting.

It's a long year so probably will play at some point.

[LilRip]

Unless we’re decimated by injuries, there’s no reason to play Pritchard. We have too many good players ahead of him. I’d even put Langford ahead of him, which seemed unthinkable last year. Why? Langford plays defense and has learned his role of sniping from the corner (like Grant).

[liam]

Unless we’re decimated by injuries, there’s no reason to play Pritchard. We have too many good players ahead of him. I’d even put Langford ahead of him, which seemed unthinkable last year. Why? Langford plays defense and has learned his role of sniping from the corner (like Grant).

If he's got his shot back he has more range than anyone on the roster. He'll open up the floor from the top.

[Neurotic Guy]

Unless we’re decimated by injuries, there’s no reason to play Pritchard. We have too many good players ahead of him. I’d even put Langford ahead of him, which seemed unthinkable last year. Why? Langford plays defense and has learned his role of sniping from the corner (like Grant).

If he's got his shot back he has more range than anyone on the roster. He'll open up the floor from the top.

The C's have a few decent 3-point shooting role players, but none that has the team's confidence like guys like Robinson, Ingles, Harris, Seth,... 
Grant looks to pass more than he looks to shoot. PP,  Nesmith and Romeo either aren't getting minutes or aren't getting plays run to get them open.  C's need  to feed the beast if they have one.  Currently they are a 3-point shooting team that doesn't shoot the 3 all that well.   

[Moranis]

I'm def a pritchard fan
i haven't given up on him

isnt schroder definitely gone next year? we cant possibly re-sign him right?

Im still hoping PP gets minutes here after DS is eventually gone

I think he'll be a player in the league for awhile. I just hope its for us, not someone else.

Last year PP shot 41% from 3 which is elite. This year he's been horrible so far and he's still shooting it as well as Marcus Smart. Both shooting 30% from 3. If he averages 40% from 3 on a regular basis he'll be in the NBA.

That isn't necessarily true.  There have been some pretty elite shooters that haven't stuck around because they do literally nothing else. 

[Silas]

The Celtics are in the bottom third of shooting 3 pointers.  It would be helpful, as many have said, if they had a solid 3 point shooter to rely on.  Based on last season and the summer league, PP arguably may be the best 3 pt shooter on this team.  Until the Portland game, he had been stinking it up big time.  I say give him 20-25mpg and demand that he shoot at least 10 3s per game. I believe that his offense can and will outweigh his lack of speed, and average to poor defense.  Look around the league and you will find many players who are strong on offense and weak on defense.  Coaches know how to hide their deficiencies.  Give the guy a chance (the proverbial 20 games), and as to whose place he takes in the rotation, let the coach make that decision, that's why they pay them the big bucks. 

[hpantazo]

Pritchard will get his chance once Schroder is either traded this season or signs elsewhere this summer. There's almost no way we can retain Schroder so we will need Pritchard soon enough.

[todd_days_41]

Pritchard will get his chance once Schroder is either traded this season or signs elsewhere this summer. There's almost no way we can retain Schroder so we will need Pritchard soon enough.

It'll be interesting to see where the Cs are leading up to the trade deadline. If the Cs continue on a trajectory where it seems highly unlikely they can get past the Bucks, Heat and Nets -- I hope Stevens will show courage and cash in on Schroder for an asset before he walks this summer.

You have to believe Schroeder at his price will be one of the top rental trade chips available across the NBA this winter. Get a legit pick or prospect for him while you can, then give PP some run.

But -- a lot can change between now and then. Let's see if this team keeps building in the right direction.

[LilRip]

Unless we’re decimated by injuries, there’s no reason to play Pritchard. We have too many good players ahead of him. I’d even put Langford ahead of him, which seemed unthinkable last year. Why? Langford plays defense and has learned his role of sniping from the corner (like Grant).

If he's got his shot back he has more range than anyone on the roster. He'll open up the floor from the top.

A few things need to happen before this becomes a reality:
1) he needs to actually punish teams first before he can open up the floor
2) he needs to embrace the shooter role and mold his game more around Eddie House (or Duncan Robinson)
3) he needs to improve on his offensive IQ. On-ball, he often seems to end up dribbling into a crowd but not really reacting fast enough to punish the shifting defense while off-ball, he needs to more consistently find open spaces

The range is impressive but ultimately not as effective as Yknow, someone who can properly space the floor and shoot. A three is a three, regardless if it’s from 25 or 35 feet out.

[Hoopvortex]

 The kid was the best shooter on the team last year, 

That’s an interesting claim. It’s hard to agree, but he’s certainly got the longest range. That’s a huge asset, being able to shoot over the defense, or stretch the floor to 30 feet and more.

he's got unlimited range,

That, at least, will keep him in the league.

he's a good passer and a scrappy solid defender.

In rotation minutes last season he sometimes did the basics of managing a team and did a good job taking care of the ball. He showed he could handle a greater degree of responsibility in that area in summer league.

Solid defender? Not there yet, I’d say.

He needs to get on the court more often.

His time will come.

 

At the very least he could be a nice trade chip, but for that he needs to actually play bug minutes.

I like him as a Celtic. He’s got real guts, plays with intensity, and has a rare and valuable skill: he genuinely has 30-ft. range.

[droopdog7]

Pritchard will get his chance once Schroder is either traded this season or signs elsewhere this summer. There's almost no way we can retain Schroder so we will need Pritchard soon enough.

It'll be interesting to see where the Cs are leading up to the trade deadline. If the Cs continue on a trajectory where it seems highly unlikely they can get past the Bucks, Heat and Nets -- I hope Stevens will show courage and cash in on Schroder for an asset before he walks this summer.

You have to believe Schroeder at his price will be one of the top rental trade chips available across the NBA this winter. Get a legit pick or prospect for him while you can, then give PP some run.

But -- a lot can change between now and then. Let's see if this team keeps building in the right direction.

I don't think this team will get past "highly unlikely" to get to the finals.  So that is a virtual lock. 

That said, what are we getting in return for Schroeder?  I agree that BS should consider it but you have to weigh a trade against team morale.

[Hoopvortex]

 Currently they are a 3-point shooting team that doesn't shoot the 3 all that well.

They’re 14th in the league in attempts per game, in other words right in the middle of the pack.

I would say rather that they’re a free-throw shooting team that shoots FT’s really well. They lead the league in made FT’s and FT%.

[Hoopvortex]

Pritchard will get his chance once Schroder is either traded this season or signs elsewhere this summer. There's almost no way we can retain Schroder so we will need Pritchard soon enough.

It'll be interesting to see where the Cs are leading up to the trade deadline. If the Cs continue on a trajectory where it seems highly unlikely they can get past the Bucks, Heat and Nets -- I hope Stevens will show courage and cash in on Schroder for an asset before he walks this summer.

You have to believe Schroeder at his price will be one of the top rental trade chips available across the NBA this winter. Get a legit pick or prospect for him while you can, then give PP some run.

But -- a lot can change between now and then. Let's see if this team keeps building in the right direction.

I don't think this team will get past "highly unlikely" to get to the finals.  So that is a virtual lock. 

That said, what are we getting in return for Schroeder?  I agree that BS should consider it but you have to weigh a trade against team morale.

Factor in also a need to advance in the playoffs this season.

[todd_days_41]

Pritchard will get his chance once Schroder is either traded this season or signs elsewhere this summer. There's almost no way we can retain Schroder so we will need Pritchard soon enough.

It'll be interesting to see where the Cs are leading up to the trade deadline. If the Cs continue on a trajectory where it seems highly unlikely they can get past the Bucks, Heat and Nets -- I hope Stevens will show courage and cash in on Schroder for an asset before he walks this summer.

You have to believe Schroeder at his price will be one of the top rental trade chips available across the NBA this winter. Get a legit pick or prospect for him while you can, then give PP some run.

But -- a lot can change between now and then. Let's see if this team keeps building in the right direction.

I don't think this team will get past "highly unlikely" to get to the finals.  So that is a virtual lock. 

That said, what are we getting in return for Schroeder?  I agree that BS should consider it but you have to weigh a trade against team morale.

Factor in also a need to advance in the playoffs this season.

What does that do? Moral victory?

Schroeder’s value will depend on the competition for him. The biggest issue is: the teams most desperate for additional ball handling are the ones who have shipped all their upcoming 1sts… Miami, LAC, Nets, Dallas, LAL.

Who can deliver us a real asset?