Pritchard on pace for an historic rookie season

by **bobheckler** Mon Feb 08, 2021 12:17 pm

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/celtics-guard-payton-pritchard-pace-historic-rookie-season?cid=Yahoo&partner=ya4nbcs

Pritchard on pace for an historic rookie season

FEB 6, 2021

BY JACOB CAMENKER
CELTICS

Payton Pritchard has been a pleasant surprise for the Boston Celtics this year. The rookie, selected 26th overall in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft, has emerged as a key part of the team's rotation and has averaged 7.7 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game for the squad.

The numbers aren't huge, but they certainly have certainly been a welcome addition for a Celtics bench that was in need of some scoring.

And even more impressive has been Pritchard's efficiency. So far this season, he is shooting 50 percent from the field, 44.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 90 percent from the free-throw line. According to Taylor Snow of Celtics.com, Pritchard would be the first rookie to post a 50/40/90 season in NBA history.

Taylor Snow
@taylorcsnow
Payton Pritchard is shooting 50% from the field, 44.2% from 3-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line. If he maintains that pace, he would be the first rookie in NBA history to produce a 50/40/90 season.
1:07 AM · Feb 6, 2021

Obviously, it's still very early in the season, but we are past the quarter pole and Pritchard has played in 15 games. So, that's a decent sample size.

Pritchard continuing at this pace may not be sustainable, especially if he hits a rookie wall. But even if his efficiency dips, he'll still be able to provide great minutes for the C's as the team's sixth man.

This potential milestone will be something to monitor with Pritchard over the course of the season, but no matter what happens, the Celtics seem to have unearthed a gem in the draft.

Bob
MY NOTE: Small sample size, true, but it does sorta answer the question on the other thread "is Pritchard having a better season than Kemba?". Comparing a rookie against rookie expectations and a 4X All-Star vs 4X All-Star expectations, at this point in the season, I'd say "yes, absolutely yes". What a freaking coup by Brad and Danny to reach into the 2nd round and lock this kid up @ #26!

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