If I were the coach of these Celtics....

[footey]

I would start Payton Pritchard and have him run the team as the starting point guard, and give him authority to run the plays.  Make him the quarterback of the team.  Tatum and Brown are too jaded, developed too many bad habits and frankly lack the ability to lead this team on offensive sets.  Smart can be the designated quarterback on defense.

Pritchard is experienced enough to run this team's offensive sets.  What he lacks in size and athleticism he makes up in skill and savvy.  His coach has to give him this authority to run the team.  Make him our poor man's Chris Paul in training.  He not only stretches the floor but he can create off the dribble.  He is our best ball handler by far.  He makes mistakes, but frankly should be given the freedom to play through them. Last night until he got tired (after multiple DNPCDs, being asked to go 40 plus minutes), he was stellar out there.  With more minutes and experience, he can help right this ship.

[Silas]

I like Payton and would like to see him play more minutes.  I have noticed when he is on the floor with starters they tend to ignore him unless it's a last second need to get rid of the ball.  When he is on the floor with bench guys they don't hesitate to pass the ball to him.  With starters he has had shooting problems but with bench players he seems better. 

[Who]

It is becoming more and more clear that Smart no longer has a role on this team.

Smart is not a PG. The team badly needs more offensive punch at guard and Smart does not provide that. While Romeo does most of what Smart does as a defensive SG.

Better to trade Smart and get back someone who fits the team.

[Who]

I love Pritchard but he was shooting so badly early in the year that it didn't make any sense to give him more time. Delighted to see him get his shot back and I too hope to see a lot more of him in the coming weeks.

Agreed on Pritchard starting at PG. They desperately need his shooting. Schroder should be the backup PG. Smart should rarely if ever play PG for the rest of the season.

[Rosco917]

I like Payton too, but the J's will ignore him. They have the keys to the car, they're not giving them up easily.

Jaylen will not appreciate this move. 

[footey]

I like Payton too, but the J's will ignore him. They have the keys to the car, they're not giving them up easily.

Jaylen will not appreciate this move.

If you're the coach, and they ignore him, you sit them.  You back Payton's authority to run the team.

[Ogaju]

Celtics have given their young stars so much freedom it may be impossible to reign them in.

[SparzWizard]

If I the coach, some of these players would be gone. Brown is not safe from it too lol.

[footey]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF2I5W0ir6I

Payton has the ability to be a poor man's Chris Paul. Not as quick, but similar bbiq.  Same size and weight at similar age.  Paul will always be a better defender, obviously. and Payton will be a better 3 point shooter!!

[GreenlyGreeny]

Last year I had high hopes for Pritchard, but it’s obvious he will never be more than a career journeyman role player at best, or out of the league in 1-2 years at worst. Not going to engage in wishful thinking that someone on our bench is going to be our savior because it’s just not happening…

[LilRip]

Pritchard can’t run a team, sorry. His playmaking skills are terrible-to-average for a starting NBA PG. He’s got a good handle, I’ll give him that though. Also, he’s one heck of a shooter and that’s really why he deserves minutes imo.

If I were a coach working with PP, I’d work on improving his ability to move off-ball and finding open space. PP doesn’t get the ball because he doesn’t always move to space or relocate.

[seancally]

I like Payton too, but the J's will ignore him. They have the keys to the car, they're not giving them up easily.

Jaylen will not appreciate this move.

Oh come on, they share the ball with Pritchard. They pass to the open man. Brown doesn’t have very good vision; that’s a skillset problem, not a selfishness problem. He won’t have a problem if someone else is running the offense. Neither will Tatum.

[moiso]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF2I5W0ir6I

Payton has the ability to be a poor man's Chris Paul. Not as quick, but similar bbiq.  Same size and weight at similar age.  Paul will always be a better defender, obviously. and Payton will be a better 3 point shooter!!

I don't know, the IQ is what makes Chris Paul Chris Paul.  I don't see any special IQ in Payton but he's certainly a great shooter.

[footey]

Pritchard can’t run a team, sorry. His playmaking skills are terrible-to-average for a starting NBA PG. He’s got a good handle, I’ll give him that though. Also, he’s one heck of a shooter and that’s really why he deserves minutes imo.

If I were a coach working with PP, I’d work on improving his ability to move off-ball and finding open space. PP doesn’t get the ball because he doesn’t always move to space or relocate.

That’s your opinion. I see a guy who can. He did in high school and college. Has shown ability at this level when given a chance.

[tenn_smoothie]

I like Payton and would like to see him play more minutes.  I have noticed when he is on the floor with starters they tend to ignore him unless it's a last second need to get rid of the ball.  When he is on the floor with bench guys they don't hesitate to pass the ball to him.  With starters he has had shooting problems but with bench players he seems better.

If true, that is quite an indictment of our starters' desire to play together as a unit and win.

What did Pritchard do to deserve being frozen out by the "better" players ?

Interesting comment about him shooting better when he is with the 2nd unit -
he would get better shots and be more relaxed and confident.