The period of “The Jays” is formally over for the Boston Celtics now that Jaylen Brown has landed in Philadelphia, main many to marvel what the 2026-27 NBA season will seem like at TD Backyard for a group lacking its most up-to-date Finals MVP.
One supply of hope going into the 12 months for members of each the Celtics group and their fanbase is Payton Pritchard, the 2025 Sixth Man of the Yr who could have earned himself a full-time promotion to the beginning lineup after shining all through the 2025-26 marketing campaign.
Significantly, the hope round Boston’s entrance workplace will probably be that Pritchard, who’s extension-eligible, can elevate his sport to develop into the group’s own version of what fellow small guard Jalen Brunson is for the New York Knicks, particularly now that Brown’s excessive utilization is out of the image.
Now, Pritchard has damaged his silence on what he envisions within the coming 12 months for himself and his group, revealing one space through which he sees himself as corresponding to — if not higher than — Brunson and any of the opposite trendy basketball greats.
Pritchard considers himself an all-world ball handler
Talking with NBC Sports activities Boston’s Chris Forsberg on the “Celtics Talk Podcast,” Pritchard introduced that the work he is put in has made him one of many biggest ball handlers the world over.
Pritchard, internet hosting a youth summer time basketball camp, was requested by Forsberg how he felt about being launched to campers as a prime 1% ball handler worldwide.
“Properly I would hope so,” Pritchard responded. “I put numerous hours into it, so I higher be… You ever heard of the Ten Thousand [Hour] Rule? I positively suppose I am above the Ten Thousand Rule.
“I believe I am above the 1%, although,” Pritchard continued. “I believe I am within the 1% of the 1%.”
Already often called a proficient three-point shooter with a knack for clutch buzzer-beaters, Pritchard’s ball-handling expertise may make a serious distinction for a Celtics group that was hampered at instances by important turnovers from Brown through the years.
