Payton Pritchard made his feelings clear on competing with Anfernee Simons for Boston Celtics starting role

Payton Pritchard shares his feelings about fighting for a starting role with Anfernee Simons

Pritchard has earned a starting role during his five seasons with the Celtics. He averaged 14.3 points per game last season and has missed only two games in the last two regular seasons.

He would be forgiven for attempting to stamp his authority down on a starting role next season with the departure of Holiday and Jayson Tatum’s injury. Instead, Pritchard says he isn’t worried about being in the starting five next season. 

He told CelticsBlog, “It doesn’t matter to me. For me, it’s about controlling what I can control — and that’s coming into games and changing the game, and being an unbelievable player and helping my team win. So that’s the only thing I’m focused on, ever. 

“It’s not about accolades. It’s not about starting or anything like that. It’s about: how can I become the best player possible?”

Pritchard’s attitude towards his playing time has always been mature. He aims to make the most out of his minutes, no matter how many he gets or when they come. That’s the attitude that won him Sixth Man of the Year, and it’s also what makes him believe the Celtics can contend for the title. 

Payton Pritchard thinks the Boston Celtics can win the NBA title

The Celtics’ actions this offseason led people to believe they are punting on the season. Tatum’s injury in the playoffs means he will most likely miss the entirety of next season. They traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks and Holiday to Portland, offloading contracts to get under the second apron. 

They made these moves in order to rebuild around Tatum and Jaylen Brown in 2026 and make a run at their second championship in recent years. But Pritchard said he isn’t willing to accept that this is a “gap year” for the Celtics. 

He said, “It’s not a gap year,” he said. “It’s a year to prove [something], take a step, and show people that we are still that team.

“We’ll put the pieces together. And we will come out and compete, and try to win every game, and put together a great season – and go for a championship.”

Led by Brown, it’s a priceless opportunity for Boston’s players to prove themselves in the absence of three of their pivotal championship pieces from 2024.