Payton Pritchard and Mike Conley are already practically glued at the hip as Celtics training camp kicks off, with the pair dribbling up court in tandem and sharing laughs before practice sessions. The two undersized point guards are working closely together at the Auerbach Center, setting the tone for the season right from Media Day on September 28, 2026.
From Prime to Twilight: A Bond Forged on the Hardwood
You might not expect these two to be instant best buddies, given where they are in their careers. Both Pritchard and Conley stand at 6’1, both are crafty scorers who lean on footwork over pure athleticism, and both are lights-out from deep (Conley’s hit 38.7% career from three, Pritchard a blistering 39.4%). But that’s where the obvious similarities end. Pritchard, at 28, is smack in his athletic prime, coming off a career year where he dropped 17 points and 5.2 assists per game. Conley, on the other hand, is turning 39 next month, officially in the twilight years of a tremendous journey. He came off the bench for the first time last season, averaging 4.5 points in 18.4 minutes, and the expectation is his on-court role will be even more limited this year. Despite the age gap and differing roles, the two have hit it off big time, both on and off the court. Pritchard isn’t shy about his admiration, saying he loves Conley as a person and called him a “great human being.”
“Payton’s a Menace”: How Knowledge Is Being Extracted
The veteran is just as impressed with the younger guard. Conley sees Pritchard’s relentless drive to improve, calling him a “menace” and an “absolute crazy person” when it comes to refining his game. What really gets Conley is Pritchard’s “awareness to ask questions,” constantly digging into Conley’s thought processes and breaking down plays. Pritchard is “hell-bent on extracting as much knowledge” as possible from the longtime veteran, clearly recognizing the value of learning from someone with such a “tremendous career and player” like Conley. This isn’t just a casual friendship, it’s a full-on mentorship happening in real time, with Pritchard eager to soak up everything he can.
This early bond could be a huge benefit for Pritchard’s continued growth, especially as he looks to build on his career-best season. Having a sage like Conley to lean on for insight into the nuances of the game could elevate Pritchard’s already impressive craftiness even further as the season progresses. Watching how this connection develops, and how much Pritchard benefits from Conley’s wisdom, will be one of the most intriguing storylines to track as the Celtics officially kick off their season.
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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