Why bad wins don’t exist, Payton Pritchard is stealing from Steve Nash, and the Jays are finding KP.
The January schedule for the Celtics was something like 300 games. They emerged largely unharmed, despite the fact that it was somewhat wild. 11-5, just three of those matches were against.500 teams (two of those against Houston, a squad that hovers around one or two games below).
A rigorous schedule combined with Kristaps’s temporary absence means a 56-ish victory rate. I say this to my pals when I try to convince them to watch Arrested Development: the Celtics are “really good, man.” Let’s examine a few of the causes.
Being 6’1″ must be challenging in the NBA. There aren’t many professions in which being smaller than your peers is a real disadvantage. Really, it’s just NBA players and shelf stockers. However, there are some benefits to being short, such as the smallest stocker effortlessly putting the soup on the lowest shelf. Payton Pritchard is taking advantage of them.
The assist-to-turnover ratio for Payton Pritchard this season is seen in the stat above. Among players who qualify (minimum 10 mpg), it is ranked 1–10. There are undoubtedly methods to increase your assist-to-turnover ratio at the expense of the team. If you just make extremely cautious passes or refuse to attempt close-outs, you can slow down the offensive. Ben Sheppard of Indianapolis leads the league in assists to turnovers, and his position on the offensive
Pritchard’s amazing assist-to-turnover ratio is stunning because it results from his increased aggressiveness off the dribble. Though this is greatly exaggerated, I wanted to call attention to Steve’s mullet. He’s gotten so comfortable with the ball in his hands that at times I feel like he’s a Canadian mullet away from Steve Nash. Thank you, and please don’t pass judgment. Even though Nash is an absurd and high comparison, he has taken some of Nash’s cunning strategies.
PP’s inability to finish at the rim is his main offensive flaw. shooting’s not that he’s not skilled at shooting; rather, his physical attributes, particularly his length, restrict how often he can even get a shot off. Pritchard’s modification of performing the “Nash” and continuing straight through the paint has mostly been successful. He no longer traps opponents close to the basket, which slows down the offensive flow. It’s also a safe play, one that’s helped him carve out one of the greatest assist to turnover ratios in the league. All he has to do now is watch some TJ McConnell video.
This week’s Xs and Os segment isn’t too long, but I do want to draw attention to something that I believe is really significant. The Jays have been accustomed to playing alongside Kristaps Porzingis as the season has progressed. Tatum compared Porzingis to Kobe Bryant in an interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, comparing him to Paul Gasol.
If their friendship were a film, it would be about two closest friends who decide to include a third person in their circle of friendship. Though I don’t see many movies, I’m sure someone who reads this can recommend one.
But what truly interests me is how fast the Jays have begun to realize when KP is a mismatch. It’s even more incredible when you consider that KP typically has a mismatch because their man has gone to the Jay, meaning they also have one. Attacking whomever large has switched on them wouldn’t be a bad idea, but the Jays’ decisions have always gone toward giving up the ball due to KP’s amazing efficiency this season. It functions.
Look at Tatum with John Collins on him—a man he can sear, bake, and tent with foil like a nicely cooked filet mignon. Rather, he notices Simone Fontecchio on KP and, like to a strict yet equitable father, gives KP the go-ahead to post and exploit it. It’s a simple two and a lollipop pass over the top.
KP and JB use a little two-man game in this play to get rookie Amen Thompson on KP. When he does, JB discovers him right away, and KP starts working.
KP and JB use a little two-man game in this play to get rookie Amen Thompson on KP. When he does, JB discovers him right away, and KP starts working.
The strategy against the Heat was straightforward: take Bam Adebayo off of KP and let him finish. The Jays were aware of the task.
Watching the Jays play with Porzingis is one of the best ways to witness their development this season, which is encouraging for the team’s future. The Jays have begun to walk the always challenging balance of becoming a star while inspiring their teammates.
