Well, look, you gotta talk about the money first. Payton Pritchard just locked down a two-year, $44 million extension, and that kind of bag immediately puts him in the conversation for who’s going to be Jayson Tatum’s main running mate this season. Tatum is obviously leading the squad in points, no shocker there, but with the season kicking off Tuesday in Detroit, everyone’s trying to figure out who’s gonna be popping off consistently right behind him.
Pritchard’s Poise and White’s Shot
This isn’t some tiny deal, right? Pritchard’s new contract means he’s expected to be a key offensive weapon, and he’s got the resume to back it up. Last season he was dropping a career-high 17 points per game. That’s real production. Coach Joe Mazzulla could throw him in the starting five or bring him off the bench where he’s already proven himself, even being a former Sixth Man of the Year. Either way, the dude is going to eat. Then you’ve got Derrick White. He had a rough shooting year last season, for sure. But with more scoring punch around him, maybe he settles into a more complementary role, where he can be way more efficient. That makes sense, right? Sometimes less pressure means better results.
PG’s Vow and Mazzulla Ball
And let’s not forget Paul George. He’s vowed to be JT’s number two, and honestly, after only playing 78 games for the 76ers over two seasons, he looks absolutely primed for a comeback year in green. A 20.5 points per game career average would be a huge boost in his 17th year. Think about it. That’s a serious scoring threat. But here’s the wild card, and honestly, the most interesting part: based on the first two preseason games, this team is going to be all about “Mazzulla Ball.” What does that mean? A super democratic style, where everybody gets touches, everybody gets looks, and everybody eats. The vibes are good, apparently. So, while we’re trying to nail down a #2, the truth might be that on any given night, any of these guys could just explode for 30+ points.
It’s going to be a fascinating start to the season when they head to Detroit on Tuesday. The big question isn’t just who’s going to be the second-best scorer, but how this “Mazzulla Ball” philosophy actually shakes out. Can this democratic approach consistently fuel the team and keep everyone happy? I’m ready to find out.
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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