The Boston Celtics are currently on a four-game winning streak, and they are ready for a huge matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. The Cs have the best record in the NBA, and they have checked off multiple boxes needed to win a championship as they have a great record against teams above .500, and they have the depth.
One box still left to check is the player’s ego and the ability to sacrifice for the greater good.
Before the trade deadline, Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard created unnecessary headaches for the Celtics due to their demands. Williams, who is averaging eight points and four rebounds per game in a contract year, has let his contract talks be known throughout the season. After turning down an extension offer from the Celtics before the season, Williams’s camp continues to float out what money he will demand after the season.
Trade chatter around Grant Williams is starting to grow ‘a little louder,’ per @KeithSmithNBA
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 7, 2023
“Grant wants a lot of money. We heard he thinks he’s got $18 to $20 million waiting for him in free agency. And he wants to play more, probably start.” pic.twitter.com/qalcEH0acy
The same is true for Payton Pritchard, who was unafraid to voice his complaints before the NBA trade deadline. Pritchard voiced complaints regarding his role/playing time and his desire to be traded. In a season where Pritchard is averaging 12.7 minutes per game, his complaints have grown.
Payton Pritchard on the trade deadline:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 12, 2023
“I definitely was expecting and hoping [for a trade]. But you know, I [have to] look at the good things. We’re the best team in the NBA right now…”
(via @GwashburnGlobe, https://t.co/H3YJ7Dal0T) pic.twitter.com/9oepVZjU6l
Following the trade deadline, Pritchard had to retract his previous statements as he declared his “love” for the Boston Celtics organization. My concerns lie in the fact that Pritchard and Williams have shown their egos this season, and I question where their head is at. This situation reminds me of the 2018-2019 season when role players like Terry Rozier and Marcus Morris struggled to accept their roles — leading to friction and poor chemistry.
"I love this organization. This whole thing is about me wanting to play because that's what I love to do."
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) February 12, 2023
Payton Pritchard wants to clear up his feelings for Boston, and his teammates after expressing wanting more playing time before the trade deadline pic.twitter.com/WR6Ez2ts2P
The responsibility of handling these egos is on head coach Joe Mazzulla who has voiced his support of Pritchard’s comments. I find this concerning because the main goal of every player should be to win a championship, not to have good statistics or playing time. Mazzulla needs to manage the egos of his players and keep them focused on the main goal.
Joe Mazzulla on Payton Pritchard, who said he was hoping he got traded for a bigger opportunity: "I love Payton. I’m happy Payton is expressing himself and the honestly that he speaks with."
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) February 12, 2023
Said PP's in the category of always ready to play.
The Boston Celtics young guns must focus on the team’s goals
Moving forward, Pritchard and Williams need to block out the ego stuff and focus on basketball. Pritchard’s performance against the Memphis Grizzlies, where he had four 3-pointers was a great example of him just focusing on basketball.
Williams and Pritchard should understand that by being a good role player on a championship team, they will have the ability to get paid well on the open market as well as more playing time.
hello, here's Payton Pritchard hitting four threes yesterday vs Grizzlies: pic.twitter.com/Ca0pCqCmDg
— Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) February 13, 2023
The situation with Pritchard and Williams is one to monitor as the Boston Celtics pursue Banner 18.