With the closest body to ordinary people, play the most incredible basketball

When I wrote about the Pacers' McConnell last season, I said that his size was the worst in the NBA, not much different from the average person. A friend reminded me that Pritchard, a Celtic, may be closer to an average person in terms of physical fitness than McConnell.

Pritchard is 1.85 meters tall, weighs 88 kilograms, and has an arm span of 1.9 meters, which is about the same height as him. Pritchard was only 1.75 meters tall when he was a freshman in high school, and he only exceeded 1.8 meters when he graduated from high school, which barely reached the threshold of his career.

Of course, Pritchard in high school was already a top player in the high school league. Four years in high school, four state championships, and Pritchard averaged 23.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 3.1 steals per game in his final season of high school.

Pritchard is actually a player from the same class as Tatum, both born in '98. In his sophomore year of high school, Pritchard was invited to the U.S. U17 but didn't make the squad, while Tatum made last. He also played against Jaylen Brown's high school and ended up winning the game.

Born in Oregon, Pritchard spent his basketball journey growing up in Oregon, spending four years at the University of Oregon, where he averaged 20.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game in his final year. The Oregon Duck is the nickname of the University of Oregon, so Pritchard has long had the title of "Duck King".

The first time you know Pritchard, you may have come from a video of him practicing in the garage. When he was in high school, Pritchard would get up at half past five every morning and go to the garage to practice dribbling with heavy balls, often practicing until his hands were worn out and bleeding, and he went to school with bandages wrapped in bandages, until his hands were calloused, and the number of times he was worn out became less. If you can't change your height, change your skills.

Pritchard's dribbling training may seem difficult, but it's actually not easy at all. Of course, we used to do these basic figure-of-eight movements when we practiced before, but a dribble like Pritchard's that takes into account speed, stability, and power can't be done in ten or eight years.

In the 2020 draft, Pritchard was drafted by the Celtics with the 26th pick in the first round. The Celtics certainly weren't Pritchard's top pick. The Celtics had little time to give Pritchard a chance to work, and the guards ahead of him were Smart, Brogdon, and later after White's arrival.

He also averaged 19.2 minutes per game in his rookie season, before gradually declining over the next two years. In the 2023 offseason, Pritchard has repeatedly requested trades, hoping to go to a team that can give him time. In the end, the Celtics persuaded him to stay and reached a four-year, 30 million early contract extension with him.

Pritchard, who got a contract, also became the Celtics' first choice for backup point guards, as Smart was traded away. Last season, he averaged 9.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 22.3 minutes per game while shooting 39 percent from three-point range.

This season, Pritchard has had more time, thanks to his own leaps and bounds. So far this season, he has averaged 15.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 27.4 minutes per game, shooting 44% from three-point range.

In the last two games, Pritchard threw in 13 three-pointers, six against the Clippers, and today played 7-of-11 from three-point range against the Bulls. In the final quarter, Pritchard scored 19 points and scored five three-pointers in half the game.

Pritchard shot 10-of-16 from the field, including 7-of-11 from three-point range, and finished with a team-high 29 points and 7 rebounds, with a plus/minus of +11. It is worth mentioning that he has 4 frontcourt rebounds out of 7 rebounds.

Mazzulla said after the game: "I know it sounds a little weird, but he's one of the best players I've ever seen who can score on three levels (under the basket, mid-range, three-point line), especially considering his size. ”

Pritchard's outburst is no accident, as he's made at least six three-pointers in four games this season, and most of the league's backup point guards have been completely unable to defend him. His explosion this season has made the depth of the Celtics' roster even more terrifying, almost flawless.

It may be a little difficult to compete for the most improved player, but Pritchard is definitely in the lead for the award of Best Sixth Man. And compared to the 4-year 32 million that the Lakers gave Christie, and Pritchard's 4-year 30 million contract, it is simply cost-effective.

His stature may be close to that of an ordinary person, but his willpower, his level of hard work, is definitely the top in this league. After going through thousands of sails and keeping the clouds open, there will always be a head.