By: Declan Flavin | Follow me on Twitter / X @FlavinDeclan
Payton Pritchard is undoubtedly on the shorter side of 6-foot-1. Up-and-coming basketball athletes train relentlessly with what they have to reach the highest level, and most of them stand at least a little taller. That hasn’t stopped Pritchard.
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year has provided coveted versatility and range for a reason. Pritchard has paired the natural talent he has with an urgency that’s at its highest every day.
From a young age, Pritchard brought an urgency to preparation that cultivated an NBA career. The urgency allowed him to not only train consistently, but also train in unconventional ways that helped diversify his game.
His preparation hasn’t always been linear, and that’s part of what can make an athlete successful. Unique urgency drives the mind to innovate in ways that put the athlete ahead of the competition.
The preparation then bleeds into how Pritchard reacts on the court. You see it when he sets the tone by picking up ball handlers at half court and getting into attackers’ space.
This is dictated at some points by the team’s specific strategy, but Pritchard shows a willingness to take on any guard or forward, which helps dilute his size disadvantage. His urgent defending creates anxiety for the dribbler, almost resembling a professional version of a pesky pickup defender.
And then there’s the offensive end, where Pritchard’s urgency with game details is what looms large. Everything happens quickly, not just on the court but within the mind.
He is quick to attack matchups, quick to defer to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown when needed, and especially quick to recognize two-for-one opportunities at the end of quarters. While the best players are often known for their sudden bursts of physicality, Pritchard is simply sudden with his mind, which puts him a few steps ahead of defenders.
It certainly feels like Pritchard is poised to make the most of increased minutes this upcoming season. It will be amazing to see just how far Pritchard’s urgent mindset will take him.
He will definitely feed off Brown’s desire for an opportunity like this season, with both players looking to make the most of it. The duo will make for a tone-setting backcourt on most nights.
Flavin Media 
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