kg84

159 | 3 days ago

I love the optimism. Feels a little disrespectful to what IT was doing that season, but obviously not the intention. I don’t see PP hitting that peak. Hope I’m wrong.

AcrobaticFeedback

38 | 3 days ago

Yeah ITs ability to drive through contact, finish at the rim and get to the line is what seperates them. Wont be peak IT good but i bet it will feel similar in some games.

endubs | MS/JB/JT/AH/RW/18

1 | a day ago

He had acceleration that PP just doesn’t have. I think PP can learn some things from IT in regards to creating space with your body when getting to the rim so you can shield off blocks.

tallldrinkofwater1

7 | 2 days ago

The King of the 4th!!

IrishSkeleton

1 | 2 days ago

I planned to write a near identical post today. I haven’t heard Payton’s name, on anybody’s lips.

Anyone who has watched him in HS, college, Pro-Am, USA Basketball.. or when our starters are out (as you said).. knows he’s supremely confident & capable of playing a much larger role.

He clearly became much more comfortable with everything NBA last year, and this year he’s going to kill it. IT’s All NBA season, is a good stretch comp for him. PP may not get the same respect he deserves, because we probably won’t be as competitive. Though he’s about to set the nets on fire.

Betting he’ll break more than one 3-point shooting record this year.

mightytom2020

77 | 3 days ago

15 points / 6 ass / 5 boards will be great numbers

AcrobaticFeedback

34 | 3 days ago

Dude basically put those numbers up last season in 28 mins off the bench lol. He will easily average 20.

stomach-bug

54 | 3 days ago

He’s also going to be a much higher priority to defend. Going from 6th guy to the 3rd here. He will have guys like Davion Mitchell defending him now instead of Duncan Robinson

AcrobaticFeedback

-11 | 3 days ago

That will have more an effect on his efficiency and less his raw numbers.

Remember the night White and Pritchard dropped 40 each? Thats basically the same roster lineup we have right now. There will be lots of nights like that.

Yeah we will suck but it will still be fun some nights.

lefebrave | a full team effort

11 | 3 days ago

He played 28 mins and scored 14 and if you assume 40 minutes a game, iit will be around 20 so your numbers doesn’t look so off at first glance. But assuming every player is putting the same productivity with more minutes is what is wrong with your take. He always gives everything on the floor, it will be harder to do so when the minutes are up and you lack the pulling a double machine called Tatum next to you. The differences between him and IT (athleticism, finishing ability, etc.) will show more. Obviously this is not a hit on PP, I am sure he will exceed his contract and prove himself very valuable once again while playing a starter whenever needed. But yours is really a hot take.

AcrobaticFeedback

-1 | 3 days ago

He had to share the ball with White, Holiday, Porzingis, Tatum and Brown. He average 13 shots per 36.

This season he will likely average 18 shots per 36 at least, even more because his free throw rate is so low.

lefebrave | a full team effort

3 | 3 days ago

When your shots increase, they are usually gets tougher. It is not easy to preserve the efficiency on a same level. (Where IT’s better qualities makes a difference) Again, I am not saying his numbers won’t go up, but you aimed too high not considering the change in the role and quality of shots.

AcrobaticFeedback

4 | 3 days ago

Thats why its called a hot take.

He will definitely put up higher numbers and lose efficiency. Pritchard only had a usage rate of 19% last season and its going to be closer to 30% next season. Prime IT had a 35% usage rate for reference.

lefebrave | a full team effort

2 | 2 days ago

lol with the hot take. You still are not convincing of course, but I stop here and start to hope I will come to apologise for not understanding you in a couple of months. It would be great.

mightytom2020

1 | 3 days ago

Dude basically averaged 12 / 3.5 / 3.5 last season

Ok maybe 6 boards ;)

aja_ramirez

2 | 3 days ago

Bet whatever you want that pp won’t average 20

NoveltyAccountHater

2 | 2 days ago

Yeah, except now he’ll be the third (or 2nd if someone is resting) best offensive player (behind Brown/White) out on the floor at any time, instead of the 4th or 5th (behind Tatum/Brown/White/Horford/KP; and probably around equal to Jrue offensively). He’ll get more attention from better defenders and wouldn’t be surprised if he puts up similar totals with more opportunities.

That said, would love to be wrong on this. (And I was a big Belichick’s an idiot for going with Brady over Bledsoe in SB36, so I can do very wrong sports takes).

Sad-Complaint4172 | Boston Celtics

0 | a day ago

Wasn’t there a game last year where he was the #2 only to White and they both dropped over 40.

And then there was a game to close the season prior i believe where he and Hauser were 1 and two and he dropped like 38.

And that one Bucks game where we played like no starters and he got buckets.

Yes he will see better defenders but each time he’s seen better defenders he’s still produced at a high clip. I wouldnt dumb it down so much like you are.

I dont think Pritch will be All-NBA but i think he could avg over 20 if the roster remains similar to what it is 🤷🏾‍♂️

NoveltyAccountHater

1 | a day ago

I mean usually when we rest lots of guys there’s a reason like a weaker opponent (or other team is resting guys with back to back or something). The Trailblazers were in a rebuild and we still had JB, White, Horford, (and Kornet and Hauser) out there so he still was arguably #3/#4 on the floor most times.

So yeah PP can ball as #2/#3 option against weaker teams; I just wouldn’t straight scale up his six man stats by more minutes. Because there will be times he’ll have a better defender on him and be more limited.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/202503050BOS.html

askthetruth1

3 | 2 days ago

That’s so much ass

chinesefox97

2 | 2 days ago

His numbers will be much higher than that but his efficiency will surely drop

WingsOnWednesday

30 | 3 days ago

Nope.

jzlin83

14 | 2 days ago

I think Pritchard will regress next season due to the lack of playmaking, especially from Tatum.

Far-Donut-1177 | Jayson Tatum

3 | 2 days ago

Actually checks out: https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/payton-pritchard-when-tatum-is-out-last-season

jzlin83

0 | a day ago

I would agree with you if we only played the teams on that list.

GimpyLawyer

11 | 3 days ago

IT type of season would be so beautiful to experience again

HorsNoises | RONDOOOOOO

11 | 3 days ago

I feel this way about Simons lol. He’s the same archetype, just 6’3 and athletic. Unfortunately, it doesn’t show on defense, but we should be able to cover him decently well.

I would obviously gladly welcome it from PP as well.

Reddit-User06

10 | 3 days ago

Do u realize Payton cannot physically be as a good as what you’re saying, he’s too short and stocky and his hips aren’t fluid as what you think of nba guard athleticism. He fits his role best as 6th man

AcrobaticFeedback

-4 | 3 days ago

Not sure how this is relevant. Jokic doesnt fit any architype and is one of the best offensive players ever.

The question is, can pritchard score when given the ball enough? He average 18 per game last season on 19% usage rate. What do you think he will do on 30% usage?

It wont always be pretty but there will be big scoring numbers.

Deviljho12

13 | 3 days ago

Jokic is also 7 feet tall and built like an ox.

TheJaylenBrownNote

3 | 2 days ago

He averaged 14 points per game.

Ienjoymyself | Buff-Al-o Enjoyer

7 | 3 days ago

This is my biggest wish for this season. Let Brad cook with part of the IT offense, and get PP the MIP.

CaramelNo6560

7 | 3 days ago

I think Pritchard is gonna have an up and down season statistically at times. There’s still a ton of scoring talent on the roster (as of now) at guard with Anfernee, JB, DW, and Pritchard. Not to mention what Baylor or Hugo could potentially be. He’ll have stretches where he’ll be getting 20 every night and then times where it seems he cant buy a bucket. But ultimately this year will be good for him and the rest of our guys to learn how to play effective and efficient basketball without Tatum being there to set everything up

DJRyGuy20

6 | 3 days ago

There are times where I think that maybe I’m being a little too critical about this sub and people on here aren’t as delusional as I’ve made them out to be.

And then I read a post like this and think, “nah… oh wow… yup, I was right all along.”

AcrobaticFeedback

-3 | 2 days ago

Maybe you should learn to have a little fun in life and also learn what a hot take is.

DJRyGuy20

2 | 2 days ago

Oh, I am having fun. 😁

The thing about hot takes is: they’re still supposed to be believable and attainable. This is neither.

Look, I love Pritchard. I even bought one of those silly “Pritch Please” hoodies. But there were only 12 players in the entire 30 team league who averaged 25+ ppg last season. All but two of those players are perennial All Stars. Pritchard simply isn’t close to that level. A shot-in-the-dark maybe level of “hot take” would be 20 ppg… but even that is a huge stretch.

My “hot take” much darker version of this angle you’ve taken is that we won’t have a single player reach 25+ ppg next season and that we’ll actually be in the bottom third in the league on offense. JB is about to find out how difficult it is to lead a team when there’s not a lot of great talent around you to take the pressure off. And “Mazzulla ball” is all well and good when you’ve got the roster to go 5 out… but this ain’t it, Chief. This has the potential to get ugly if he’s not willing to adjust his offensive game plan.

Also- we don’t even want Pritchard to reach All NBA level. Already having to pay two guys All NBA money is the whole reason we’ve had to gut this team in the first place. We want dudes on valuable contracts- which is where Pritchard is currently at.

And yeah- this might all sound “doom-and-gloom”… but I’m okay with all of that. We have zero chance at contending for a title next year, so a bit of a bottoming out year could actually be a good thing. Cut some costs and get ready to load back up for Tatum’s return.

At that point maybe we get Dame on the cheap due to the Bucks continuing to pay the bulk of his salary and maybe we get another “Al Horford boomerang” scenario with KP- where we’ve sent him to another team to pay his exorbitant salary before he comes back to us on the cheap because he likes it here so much.

Now that’s a hot take. Sure, it’s not likely to happen, but it’s still a lot more believable than PP averaging 25+ next year.

Get_your_grape_juice | Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch

4 | 3 days ago

Listen, I like Pritchard, but he ain’t IT4. He ain’t a 25ppg fella.

hailmamba | Jaylen Brown

4 | 3 days ago

I need whatever the fuck you’re smoking

sup3rdr01d

5 | 2 days ago

25? Hell no. If he manages to get to 17 that will be an incredible achievement.

patricebergy

3 | 3 days ago

Not 25, but could totally see 20-23

AcrobaticFeedback

0 | 3 days ago

Totally, but then its not a hot take!

Most_Principle_5994

3 | 2 days ago

So Pritchard is gonna be a top 5 mvp candidate next season and we making ECF… doubtful. People gotta understand it’s gonna look a lot different with no center worth a damn and no Jayson Tatum. Guys are gonna face a lot tougher coverages now

Mental_Band_9264

3 | 2 days ago

I don’t see that happening

BeachBlueWhale | THE TRUTH

2 | 3 days ago

I see Derrek White being the #2 option averaging around 22.5-25 ppg

Drawing_The_Line

2 | 3 days ago

He disappears in too many games. If he could ever put together a season of consistency, which I’m hoping he can, he would really grow into a great piece for the team.

tbtc-7777

2 | 3 days ago

IT could break down defenders, penetrate and finish at the rim like nobody’s business. One of the best layup performers I’ve ever seen. Pritchard’s different, he’d have to pull back and shoot most times at a very high level to match what IT did.

__BARBRAWL

2 | 3 days ago

25 seems a little high, but he will score just because someone has to.

AcrobaticFeedback

2 | 3 days ago

25 isnt what it used to be. I mean Colin Sexton averaged 24.3 a couple seasons ago.

TheJaylenBrownNote

2 | 2 days ago

Colin had a FTr of .347, took 8.9 free throws per 100, and took 27.3% of his shots from 0-3 feet.

Payton’s career high for each is .108, 1.9, and 15.9%.

Payton is incapable of upping his scoring significantly because he can’t get to the line and he cannot finish against anyone (his actual percentage is good, but that’s because he refuses to contest shot blockers and will just Nash dribble). Colin is an elite athlete.

[deleted]

0 | a day ago

[deleted]

TheJaylenBrownNote

0 | a day ago

No it’s not. Steph - WAY better finisher and at getting fouled. Way better dribbler and passer. Elite rebounder for his size.

Stars need to do more than just shoot 3s.

Bearded_Pip

2 | 2 days ago

Anyone else worried PP might not be able to hack it as a started on a roster that is not stacked? His trade value is at it’s peak right now and if he does not hack it as a starter next year then we lose out.

J-Team07 | Danny

1 | 3 days ago

That would be awesome.

Cvspartan

1 | 3 days ago

PP’s biggest issue in the past was his consistency against the top teams in the league. There were too many games that he was invisible against them.

He’d have to improve on that by a huge amount to have an IT type season.

Plastic_Database_645 | Speedy Recovery for our King JT 💚

1 | 3 days ago

Depends on how well his off season training would be.

I absolutely believe he could still reach 80% of what IT brought with his potential to improve every single day.

jjjuuubbbsss

1 | 3 days ago

Lol no. Sell high on PP and/or Hauser

AddsJays |

1 | 3 days ago

One thing at a time

Let’s first push for All Star Prichard discourse before moving on to All NBA

keevsnick

1 | 2 days ago

Pritchard is great, but only 9 players in the entire NBA averaged 25+ last season. I could buy 20ppg maybe.

KashtiraFenrir

1 | 2 days ago

It’s definitely high, I think the more realistic expectation is something like Tyler Herro 2.0, basically the seasons just before the All Star selection this year.

PP will get more looks and the volume of shots increase, but with that increase will draw more situations where will be drawing increased priority to be defended.

SeismicRipFart

1 | 2 days ago

PP getting glossed?

DarkGift78

1 | 2 days ago

Assuming they don’t trade Simon’s PP is the 4th option,Simons has been a bucket and averaged as much as 22.6 PPG two years ago,19.3 last year. IF he’s not flipped for a forward or center,he’s entering a contract year, and I don’t think, even though he’s a shooting guard, that he and PP can play together,both of them together are too small,Simons if basically a significantly undersized SG. JB,White,and Simons likely get the lion’s share of the shots from JT,KP, Jrue,Al,etc.

I I think PP definitely gets a scoring boost and a few more shots per game, but probably more like 17-18 PPG. If they trade Simon’s I can definitely see him maybe reaching 18-20 PPG.

TheJaylenBrownNote

1 | 2 days ago

Simons isn’t really significantly undersized except maybe his weight. He’s the same height as Derrick with a much longer wingspan, and Derrick was either the one or the two last year (in which case it would have been another 6’3” guy). The issue is that he sucks at defense.

DarkGift78

1 | 2 days ago

Maybe it’s because I grew up watching Jordan, but the prototype SG was always around 6’6, maybe 6’5. 6’3 seems really small. White gets away with it because of his 6’8 wingspan and 36.5 inch vertical. Looking at Simons draft profile, he’s 6’1 ¹⁄₂ barefoot,6’3 in shoes, but he does have a 6’8 wingspan so maybe he can play there.

Defense is definitely going to be an issue whenever White and Brown aren’t on the floor. Losing Al,KP, Jrue and Luke is just a massive defensive downgrade.

TheJaylenBrownNote

1 | 2 days ago

How tall you are is irrelevant. You don’t play basketball with your head. It’s your weight and wingspan. Anfernee is very slender though.

DarkGift78

1 | a day ago

Height is the one thing that’s helpful in basketball, long arms can definitely help make up for that, but I’d still take the guy who’s 7’3 with a 7’3 wingspan over a 6’8 guy with a 7’3 wingspan. Guys like Timelord were great shot blockers, but because he had to rely on his long arms and 40 inch vertical, he had a tendency to be susceptible to pump fakes,up fakes,or playing against super tall guys.

I know for me, growing a foot as a teenager changed my game completely, I went from a small guard with mediocre dribble and speed and decent vertical to a PF/C type who was pretty agile and athletic who could actually handle the ball in the open court. I was always a great passer but never had good handle so I was able to operate as a Bird type guy, getting the most out of mediocre physical abilities with good size, length, intelligence and an incredibly high motor and insanely competitive. Definitely was an overachiever lol. Would have much preferred raw natural talent though 😂

Minimum_Albatross217

1 | 2 days ago

JB, White, PP & Simons are currently on this team - exactly 1 is going to get the looks to average 25

Peterthepiperomg

1 | 2 days ago

Discontinue the lithium

whitetail27 | Abby Chin

1 | 2 days ago

He’s definitely getting at least one 30 pt triple double

Far-Asparagus6416 | Isaiah "King in the Fourth" Thomas

1 | 2 days ago

I could see like 20ppg if we moved Simons. Borderline all NBA is definitely not in the books though, JB is borderline all NBA lmao.

508G37

1 | 2 days ago

Simons starts over him, probably just to keep his value up so they can trade him.

fbreaker | Abby Chin's biggest fan

1 | 2 days ago

I agree with you 100%. This is the type of fervor we need

Hondo44

1 | 2 days ago

18 is my guess. He his not the foul getter IT is. We still have still have a guard ahead of him who will play more minutes than Jrue did.

Mr_Donatti

1 | 2 days ago

PP does not have the shiftiness and handles as IT did.

B1naryD1git

1 | 2 days ago

This is his floor

Sad-Complaint4172 | Boston Celtics

1 | a day ago

I think an All Star level season is possible for him and/or White. That said All-NBA seems like a massive stretch. That would mean being a top 15 player in the league. I dont see that.

JB is a 15-20 best player in the league. Protch isn’t in that tier even though he can score in a hurry.

gtoinwq

1 | a day ago

IT ability to get to the rim and finish through contact was amazing. The shit he did you couldn’t help but jump up and cheer in excitement. We weren’t the best but that was some fun basketball to watch, digging out of some deep deficits for the win.

I don’t think Pritchard will be that good but I guess he hasn’t gotten the same opportunity. I’ll be excited to see what he does.

iAmTheRealLange | Jaylen "Lebron 'Michael Jordan' James" Brown

1 | a day ago

lol

jhakerr

1 | a day ago

I’m gonna say no more than 18ppg

Top_Possession_5156

1 | 11 hours ago

That’s a high take

JustToBSWme

0 | 2 days ago

White and JB should only average 25 min a game. Let PP take his game to the next level and develop another person or two through sheer volume.

White and Brown have played a lot of games these past few years with deep playoff runs, a championship, and a loss in the championship, let these guys take it easy while getting enough playing time to keep in rhythm and be prepared for 2026.

Get a top pick in the draft, 2025 is only useful if it produces a quality draft pick or we develop some solid talent for 2026.

Limp_Custard6943 | JB FOR THREEEEEEE

-2 | 3 days ago

Positivity? How dare you!

Brandzter96

-3 | 3 days ago

Payton finna be the next man up and we’re all for it too 💯💪🏻🍀 Let Tatum and Brown heal so our bench can get better when the Season starts 💯

Hot Take for next season: Payton Pritchard averages 25+ ppg, have an IT4 type season and be borderline All-NBA.