Payton Pritchard Appreciation Thread

[Vermont Green]

Pritchard's BBIQ is off the charts. He rarely makes mistakes out there. Career TO's per game is 0.8. Feel like that doesn't get talked about enough. It's amazing what Pritchard is able to do as a 6'1" guard with average athleticism. So much fun to watch him play.

True. So great to watch his development.

This is more of a leap than steady development.  He was pretty much the same player through his first 4 seasons.  His opportunities dropped off considerably in 2022-23 when he was behind Smart, White, and Brogdon, but last season was pretty much in line with his career averages.  This season he has more minutes, more FGA, and a little better efficiency (but not radically different shoot percentage, 3-point and overall).   He is 26 and seems to have matured and developed more confidence.

75% of his FGA are 3s but he dribbles to the hoop quite a bit it seems.  That is opening things up, maybe not resulting in a shot for him all the time, but creating movement.  I don't think you saw him doing that as much last season.  That to me reflects confidence in his ability to take charge of things, have the ball in his hands, to be the creator.  It is clear that the team and the coaching staff also have confidence in him.

What is not to like?

[SparzWizard]

Think he should win 6th man of the year. It would be a snub if they let De'Andre Hunter or Kuminga or DiVicenzo win

[Big333223]

Currently sitting at 15.6/3.8/3.4 in 28.6 mpg with an eFG% of 64% (!).

There are a lot of nights when he is the bench offense for the C's. I'd love to see him get rewarded this seasons because he's been incredible.

[liam]

Think he should win 6th man of the year. It would be a snub if they let De'Andre Hunter or Kuminga or DiVicenzo win

There's still a long way to go before those awards are decided. If Pritchard keeps playing at this level he should be a lock.

[Goldstar88]

Pritchard is so [dang] good! Also, have to give Ainge credit. I don?t think many liked that pick on draft night. I know I didn?t. League better give Payton 6th man of the year!

[liam]

Pritchard is so [dang] good! Also, have to Ainge credit. I don?t think many liked that pick on draft night. I know I didn?t. League better give Payton 6th man of the year!

I loved the pick, but Bane getting shipped off was heartbreaking. Those were my two guys that night. Devin Vassell was the 3rd guy I wanted...

[Phantom255x]

Pritchard is so [dang] good! Also, have to Ainge credit. I don?t think many liked that pick on draft night. I know I didn?t. League better give Payton 6th man of the year!

I loved the pick, but Bane getting shipped off was heartbreaking. Those were my two guys that night. Devin Vassell was the 3rd guy I wanted...

We still could have had Bane. But we traded that pick away to basically dump Kanter's (excuse me... Enes FREEDOM) salary

[liam]

Pritchard is so [dang] good! Also, have to Ainge credit. I don?t think many liked that pick on draft night. I know I didn?t. League better give Payton 6th man of the year!

I loved the pick, but Bane getting shipped off was heartbreaking. Those were my two guys that night. Devin Vassell was the 3rd guy I wanted...

We still could have had Bane. But we traded that pick away to basically dump Kanter's (excuse me... Enes FREEDOM) salary

Yeah, I wanted Bane at 14, and to get him at 30 was the steal of the night. Everyone kept going on about his short arms but ignored his skilled game in all facets.

[tenn_smoothie]

And I also wanted Brandon Clarke in 2019.
Bane, Clarke added to Pritchard would solve our bench scoring issues.

[Goldstar88]

Pritchard is so [dang] good! Also, have to Ainge credit. I don?t think many liked that pick on draft night. I know I didn?t. League better give Payton 6th man of the year!

I loved the pick, but Bane getting shipped off was heartbreaking. Those were my two guys that night. Devin Vassell was the 3rd guy I wanted...

We still could have had Bane. But we traded that pick away to basically dump Kanter's (excuse me... Enes FREEDOM) salary

Yeah, I wanted Bane at 14, and to get him at 30 was the steal of the night. Everyone kept going on about his short arms but ignored his skilled game in all facets.

I wanted Bane over Pritchard. Just thought the C?s had PG covered with Kemba and Smart.

[Neurotic Guy]

Pritchard is so [dang] good! Also, have to Ainge credit. I don?t think many liked that pick on draft night. I know I didn?t. League better give Payton 6th man of the year!

I loved the pick, but Bane getting shipped off was heartbreaking. Those were my two guys that night. Devin Vassell was the 3rd guy I wanted...

We still could have had Bane. But we traded that pick away to basically dump Kanter's (excuse me... Enes FREEDOM) salary

Yeah, I wanted Bane at 14, and to get him at 30 was the steal of the night. Everyone kept going on about his short arms but ignored his skilled game in all facets.

Well doesn?t  Bane and Pritchard show the balance in drafting-trading you hope for.  Bane trade lost us a great player but the Pritchard pick exceeded most expectations.  It might be true that most people would rather have Bane than Pritchard but it?s   getting close enough that an argument could be made for Pritchard.  Obviously having both would be better, but getting one out of two on late first round picks to hit pretty big is something to be happy about rather than pining for the one that got away.  Not that you?re pining - just speaking generally.

[liam]

Pritchard is so [dang] good! Also, have to Ainge credit. I don?t think many liked that pick on draft night. I know I didn?t. League better give Payton 6th man of the year!

I loved the pick, but Bane getting shipped off was heartbreaking. Those were my two guys that night. Devin Vassell was the 3rd guy I wanted...

We still could have had Bane. But we traded that pick away to basically dump Kanter's (excuse me... Enes FREEDOM) salary

Yeah, I wanted Bane at 14, and to get him at 30 was the steal of the night. Everyone kept going on about his short arms but ignored his skilled game in all facets.

Well doesn?t  Bane and Pritchard show the balance in drafting-trading you hope for.  Bane trade lost us a great player but the Pritchard pick exceeded most expectations.  It might be true that most people would rather have Bane than Pritchard but it?s   getting close enough that an argument could be made for Pritchard.  Obviously having both would be better, but getting one out of two on late first round picks to hit pretty big is something to be happy about rather than pining for the one that got away.  Not that you?re pining - just speaking generally.

I'm pining. Bane was my main guy in that draft. BAAAAAAAANNNNNNEEEE!!!!!

[Goldstar88]

Pritchard is so [dang] good! Also, have to Ainge credit. I don?t think many liked that pick on draft night. I know I didn?t. League better give Payton 6th man of the year!

I loved the pick, but Bane getting shipped off was heartbreaking. Those were my two guys that night. Devin Vassell was the 3rd guy I wanted...

We still could have had Bane. But we traded that pick away to basically dump Kanter's (excuse me... Enes FREEDOM) salary

Yeah, I wanted Bane at 14, and to get him at 30 was the steal of the night. Everyone kept going on about his short arms but ignored his skilled game in all facets.

Well doesn?t  Bane and Pritchard show the balance in drafting-trading you hope for.  Bane trade lost us a great player but the Pritchard pick exceeded most expectations.  It might be true that most people would rather have Bane than Pritchard but it?s   getting close enough that an argument could be made for Pritchard.  Obviously having both would be better, but getting one out of two on late first round picks to hit pretty big is something to be happy about rather than pining for the one that got away.  Not that you?re pining - just speaking generally.

I'm pining. Bane was my main guy in that draft. BAAAAAAAANNNNNNEEEE!!!!!

Are you sure? First time I?m hearing of this. 

[Goldstar88]

Pritchards stat line tonight: 43pts,10rebs,5ast. 14-20 from the field, 10-16 from 3pt.

Beast

[Phantom255x]

Pritchards stat line tonight: 43pts,10rebs,5ast. 14-20 from the field, 10-16 from 3pt.

Beast

Lost in all this is, the 10 rebounds. That?s insane for a guard his size to have. 43/10 in and of itself is already remarkable