Boston Celtics rookie guard Payton Pritchard has been looking pretty good in his last two games, his first since getting injured in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers near the end of January.
Yet, even as the Oregon product remains in the running for the 50-40-90 club (when a player averages at least 50% from the field, 40% from 3 and 90% from the line), Celtics head coach Brad Stevens had some criticism for Pritchard, noting he seemed hesitant early in games despite his solid overall play in recent games. Speaking with the media Tuesday afternoon, the West Linn native addressed those comments by Stevens.
Interest in Celtics trading for Barnes being entertained by Kings media https://t.co/duL6NXiT0V
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) February 9, 2021
“I need to come in with a fire and be willing to go make plays,” offered Pritchard.
“It’s okay to make mistakes and play the game with an aggression. The biggest thing I’ve learned is that when you step on the floor, in an NBA game you’ve got to be ready on both ends of the floor at all times because everybody’s a threat.”
“I just need to go out there and put everything on the line,” he added.
Celtics 2020 stashed guard Yam Madar wants out of his current team https://t.co/QJ5J10mFRR
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) February 9, 2021
Boston will need to lean on the first-year guard in the absence of veteran Marcus Smart, who is out at least another week with a calf tear.
Averaging 8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 49.5 % from the floor, 44.2% from deep and 90% from the stripe, Pritchard has already demonstrated he belongs in this league.
That he’s already striving to do more suggests he may well be a critical part of the rotation by season’s end.
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