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Boston Celtics: Pros and cons of Payton Pritchard earning a starting role

By Nathanael Rutherford

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 29: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics brings the ball up court during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 29, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 29: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics brings the ball up court during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 29, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Pro: Pritchard has been the best, most consistent point guard

Though it’s a small sample size, Payton Pritchard has been Boston’s most consistent floor general when he’s been on the court. Aside from some issues stepping out of bounds, Pritchard has made the most of his minutes and has been a good scorer and assister both.

Per 100 possessions, Pritchard’s and Marcus Smart’s numbers are fairly close, with Smart averaging 18.1 points, 9.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 2.7 turnovers while Pritchard averages 17.8 points, 6.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and 4.1 turnovers.

The thing is, Pritchard has actually been more consistent than both Smart and Jeff Teague so far this season.

Pritchard has totaled 10 or more points three times, has at least one steal in seven of the eight games he’s played, has three or more assists in four of his appearances, and has been hit at least one three-pointer in five of his games. Pritchard has done that all while averaging just 23.1 minutes a game, too.

Smart has been solid, scoring in double figures in six of his seven games, and he’s dished out a ton of assists to Boston’s scorers, getting four or more in all of his starts. For a seven-year veteran, though, he’s still had his struggles with consistency, and the young Pritchard has seemed a steadier hand in some instances.

Both have been good defensively and have made plenty of plays at point guard, but there’s a different spark for the Boston Celtics when Pritchard has been on the floor. Giving him a few starts to see if that carries over might not be a bad idea at all.

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