Mike Conley just spilled the beans at his introductory press conference, revealing he and Payton Pritchard have been putting in serious work together this summer. These two have been hitting the court, playing tons of five-on-five and even going head-to-head in one-on-one sessions. It’s clear they’re already building something big.
Grinding It Out: Mentorship and the Floater
Conley, a free agent signing for the Celtics after a 19-year career with the Grizzlies, Jazz, and Timberwolves, didn’t hold back on the details. “Me and Payton [Pritchard] work a lot,” he said. “One-on-one with our workouts. Before practice or before five-on-five, we play [or] hoop or whatever, and we’re talking the game all the time. Like, ‘I should shoot a floater, you should shoot a mid-range shot.’” That’s the kind of veteran leadership the Celtics need, right? Conley also pointed out how their games are different, which lets him tailor his advice. “Different things that compliment his game, might not compliment mine,” he explained. “I recognize that and you just gotta know who you’re talking to and their personality.” And hey, if anyone knows how to drop wisdom, it’s Conley, who’s famously perfected one of the most effective floaters in the NBA, often using his right hand despite being a lefty.
Veteran Depth and Playoff Grit
Conley’s arrival means instant guard depth and experience for a Celtics team that’s a bit shorthanded there, even with Devin Carter joining the squad. Last season with the Timberwolves, Conley put up 4.5 points and 2.9 assists per game across 54 games. Those numbers might look modest, but he stepped up big in the playoffs. When Minnesota started losing guards, Conley was back in the starting lineup, showing out with 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in their Game 6 close-out win against the Denver Nuggets. That kind of playoff grit is invaluable. Plus, having Pritchard, who’s ultra-quick, to play against in workouts will undoubtedly get Conley primed to face any fast guards the league throws at him this season. They’re clearly learning from each other, too.
This summer connection between Conley and Pritchard isn’t just about getting in shape, it’s about two guards building chemistry that could seriously boost the Celtics’ backcourt depth and overall performance this season. Keep an eye on how this relationship blossoms on the court!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
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