Larry Bird walked into that locker room back in ’86 and dropped one of the most legendary lines in sports history, casually asking, “who’s coming in second?” He then backed it up by winning three three-point shootouts in a row, a total legend move. Fast forward to today, and while Jayson Tatum is already locked in as the Celtics’ top scorer, the real question heading into Tuesday’s opener in Detroit is a modern take on Bird’s classic: who is gonna be the clear number two?
The $44 Million Man’s Claim
The most obvious name floating around right now has gotta be Payton Pritchard. The dude just inked a two-year, $44 million extension yesterday, which tells you everything you need to know about what the Celtics expect from him. Whether he’s dropping buckets off the bench as a former Sixth Man of the Year, or even starting with Tatum, Pritchard is clearly gonna be a key offensive weapon. He put up a career-high 17 points per game last season in 2025-2026, so he’s proven he can get buckets when it matters. That kind of pay day doesn’t come for nothing, does it?
The Vow and The Comeback
But wait, there’s more. Head coach Joe Mazzulla has already confirmed that both Derrick White and Paul George will be in the opening five for opening night. White had a bit of a down shooting year last season, sure, but with more scoring options around him, he might just settle into a more efficient, complementary role. Then there’s Paul George. This dude is in Year 17 and looks absolutely primed for a comeback. After playing just 78 games for the 76ers over two seasons, George has apparently vowed to be JT’s number two. And with a career average of 20.5 points per game, that’s a welcome sign for sure.
Who Cares About Second?
Here’s the kicker though: the smart money says it might not even matter who officially claims that number two spot. If the first two preseason games are any indication, Mazzulla Ball is all about that democratic offense. We’re talking about everybody getting touches, everybody getting looks, and basically, everybody eating. On any given night, any one of Pritchard, White, or George could explode for 30+ points, with the other guys slotting in wherever. The vibes are clearly good, and it sounds like this team is just ready to roll. You just know the whole league will be watching that opener Tuesday in Detroit to see who steps up.
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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