Boston Celtics: 3 ways Payton Pritchard can improve in 2021-22
By Chris Conte
Area of improvement for Payton Pritchard No. 1) On-ball creation
As things currently stand, the Boston Celtics severely lack ancillary creation outside of Tatum and Brown.
Fournier’s future with the team remains unknown, regardless of the C’s need to fill the massive creation gap which Kemba Walker left. With money tight already, it is unlikely Brad Stevens recruits these ancillary shot creators in free agency and will instead roll with who he’s got and hope Udoka can raise their level of play.
Payton Pritchard needs to make it his aim to fill this hole.
As the Celtics’ backup point guard, it will be up to him to lead Udoka’s bench units and generate shots for himself and others without the help of Boston’s two All-Stars.
It won’t be easy to learn how to navigate, manipulate, and score on high-level defenses with more eyes looking at him as an undersized guard.
It is unlikely Pritchard’s first step, burst, speed, or vertical leap take significant strides this summer, so he won’t be able to bet on blowing by anyone. Instead, Pritchard should focus on improving his strength, conditioning, touch around the rim, feel from midrange, and adding to his scoring bag to throw off defenders.
The key for Pritchard will be the efficiency at which he beats his man.
Take Chris Paul, for example; many believe him to have the best handles of all time, not just because they’re flashy, but because they are the most effective. As a small guard, Paul prioritizes beating his man the fastest to decrease the chance of them recovering.
Pritchard does not have to develop the best handles of all time over the summer, but he does have to improve in that area if he wants to see consistent success against focused defenses.