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LAS VEGAS – The Cox Pavilion feels intimate as a venue with its limited seating, and when the ball is in play, screaming instructions from a coach can be heard throughout the top row. There was also a consistent time, every time Hawks coach Matt Hill bellowed at his players across the field.
It was when Payton Pritchard had the ball over the 3-point line. Hill’s cry was a reminder: this guy has reach. Pritchard was not scared the whole game on Sunday, making 15 3-point attempts, scoring seven, en route to a 23-point high.
Pritchard scored a crucial 3-point point in the dying seconds, the first of consecutive shots that gave the Cs the lead. Once Romeo Langford struck in the winning mark, Boston beat Atlanta 85-83 on Sunday to open. the Summer League game.
“I just pull on the pick-and-roll, pulling in different ways,” Pritchard said of his game development. “I’m just adding that. As the games go on, just get into the painting now. It’s the first game so our wind wasn’t the same and stuff like that. There are always things to improve.
Summer League debut Pritchard looked like a sophomore pro establishing his place in the league. Overall pick No.26 in 2020 was unable to participate in the Summer League as it was canceled due to the pandemic. While Yam Madar took most of the spotlight in his limited playing, Pritchard was stable rock.
The practices and summer games are an opportunity for Pritchard to work on other aspects of his game. There was no doubt that Pritchard was one of the best players on the field; it is the small parts of the game that he seeks to iron out.
All that playing time as a first option on an attack also means shots. That’s why Pritchard scored 18 field goals in total as he was given the green light all day Sunday. These are important aspects of development because Pritchard can work on his craft at the speed of the game.
C’s Summer League coach Joe Mazzulla said he spoke to Pritchard late in the game about “situational basketball.” This is where the state of the game dictates certain conditions, whether it’s being aggressive off a dead ball or other methods.
These teachings were developed on the large Langford 3-pointer. Pritchard said it was an “easy cake” as the Celtics took the win.
“He just told me like at the last minute, at the end of the game, that’s where the leaders are made, this is where the leaders come apart in these moments,” said Pritchard. “So for me, I played in a lot of games, late situations.”
Pritchard, as it stands, should have a significant opportunity this coming season. He had a solid rookie year that had typical first year highs and lows, but he was a solid player.
The list misses the top playmaker position – that’s where Pritchard’s opportunity lies. Boston president Brad Stevens traded Kemba Walker during the offseason, opening up more playing time for Pritchard.
There have been and are attempts to potentially fill the playmaker role, but the Celtics currently only have Pritchard and Marcus Smart on the roster. While waiting for any changes, the sophomore pro is looking to be a lifeblood for the Celtics.
“Payton is a great competitor, he’s a great player,” said Mazzulla. “What we were looking for from him was to be himself and improve the people around him. I think he did a great job controlling the game.
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