For those that don't remember Gail Goodrich, he was a 6'1" shooting guard drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with their Territorial Pick in 1965. He was nicknamed "Stumpy" due to his (lack of) height and short legs. Goodrich languished as a sub in LA for the first years of his career but blossomed at the age of 24 as a starter in Phoenix in his first season there - his fourth in the NBA.
The Celtics Payton Pritchard, also 6'1", came into the League as a shooting guard and will be entering his third season in Boston slated as a substitute at the age of 24.
This kid just has put his heart and soul into his game since his arrived in Beantown. He works his ass off on the defensive end, pushes the pace on offense - and can put on a blistering display when he starts firing away from everywhere but the locker room. Take a look at the 2nd-season stats for both:
Goodrich: 23.1 MPG - 12.4 PPG - 3.3 RPG - 2.7 APG
Pritchard: 14.1 MPG - 6.2 PPG - 1.9 RPG - 2.0 APG
With more minutes, Payton is right there with Goodrich in Year #2. "Stumpy" picked up five All-Star nods and one Title (1972) when the opportunity (in the form of floor time) presented itself. Does Payton Pritchard have that potential in him? He very well could, but like Goodrich, he needs that chance - meaning more minutes - either with Boston or with another team.
Stay tuned!
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