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Boston Celtics: An early look at how the BOS rotation will play out

By Justin Trombino

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 02: A general view of the court inside TD Garden before a game between the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers on May 02, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 02: A general view of the court inside TD Garden before a game between the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers on May 02, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /
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(Boston Celtics Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Boston Celtics Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics point guard – Payton Pritchard

Payton Pritchard is extremely poised for a young guard entering his second season. His maturity on the court and understanding of the game is far beyond his years. Pritchard is poised to put on a show this season for the Boston Celtics.

Pritchard followed up his impressive rookie campaign by being one of the best players in all of the NBA Summer League. He averaged 16.8 points, 8.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds per game and was named to the All-Summer League first team.

What we knew about Pritchard entering his rookie season was that he could shoot and score at a high rate. What was notable about Pritchard’s shooting last season was his range and ability to connect on 3-pointers. With more improvements this summer, Pritchard shot 46.9 percent on his 3-pointers during the Summer League.

There’s only one word to describe Pritchard on the court: playmaker. He’s a true baller who wants to produce in any way possible for his team. A bench player who can be a solid contributor and playmaker is an element the Celtics haven’t had on their team in quite a while.

Knowing you have a player like Pritchard who can direct the floor for the bench unit has to be a great feeling for any team, but especially for a team with a first-year head coach.

Pritchard has a firm grasp of the way the Celtics play based on his experience from last year. He’ll be able to float between both guard positions, however, Pritchard will fit best as the point guard and make plays for the second unit, while also getting his own as well.

Boston Celtics shooting guard – Josh Richardson

To this point, Josh Richardson has turned out to be the Celtics’ biggest offseason acquisition in terms of adding a potential third “star” with the Jay’s. He was also already given an extension that benefits both sides.

Similar to Pritchard, Richardson can float between both guard positions. He’s an excellent two-way guard who can really make an impact on both ends of the court. However, that’s only when he’s in the right situation, as we saw during the start of his career in Miami.

Richardson can excel playing off the bench in Boston. He’ll have ample amounts of scoring opportunities and a variety of different play-making options as well. Playing with the second unit will allow Richardson to share the floor more with the opposition’s bench players. Which should put a veteran like him in more successful situations this season.

Deploying Richardson with the second unit gives Boston an experienced veteran to come off the bench and share the floor with some of the younger guys on the team. Which was a missing element on the team that Brad Stevens preached all summer about.

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