The Celtics will face an old friend when they take on the 76ers on Tuesday night: Jaylen Brown, who spent a decade in Boston before being traded to Philadelphia on Tuesday.
And Payton Pritchard, one of Brown’s longest-tenured teammates, looks forward to the match-up.
“I definitely had a lot of good memories with JB,” he said. “Obviously, he was there from the moment I got drafted, and we had a good competitive battle. He pushed me to get better, so I’m definitely appreciative of that. And then, as far
as tonight, two really great teams going at it, and there’s nothing better than that.”
Still, although there’s heightened public interest in this match-up, the added emotions are nothing that he and the Celtics aren’t used to.
“I’ve played a lot of playoff games, so I don’t think it’ll be that much different,” Pritchard said.
Much of the discourse heading into Tuesday night will center on the dynamic between Brown and Jayson Tatum, whose relationship has been heavily scrutinized for years, especially in the last few weeks.
Pritchard was asked at shootaround what people don’t understand about NBA locker rooms, and how they differ from the locker rooms the general public is more familiar with, such as high school locker rooms.
“There’s a lot of egos in it, and people need an ego to get to the NBA. And so it’s definitely a balancing act,” Pritchard said. “And in high school, like you said, it’s all your buddies. Not to say that we’re not all buddies, but everybody’s got families. They’re trying to make it. They got things to prove, so it’s different. But in the day, I don’t think there was ever beef or anything. I think it’s working relationships. Some people are closer than others, but you find a way to win and keep going.”
Paul George will make his return to Philadelphia
One storyline heading into Tuesday night is that Paul George will return to face the 76ers team he played for for two seasons. But there’s not too much pressure on that return game for the 9-time All-Star.
“He said he’s returned to four different teams before, so he’s used to this,” he said. “So it’s nothing new to him.”
George is averaging 20.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.3 steals, while shooting 42.5% from three on the season.
“He’s been unbelievable,” Pritchard said. “He’s played great to start the year and shooting the ball unbelievable. His defense is impeccable, so it’s been huge for us.”
George said at Celtics shootaround he’s thoroughly enjoyed his tenure.
“I’ve been kind of blown away,” he said. “I think it exceeded my expectations since being in Boston. You never know how much culture is involved and how much culture changes your outlook on things, and the effect it has mentally and physically. Just being in an environment like the culture, or like Boston presents, and so I’ve been thrilled. I’ve been playing some of my best basketball late. Just been enjoying finding out with these guys here. It’s a fun style of play. And again, I can’t talk about just the thrill and the happiness and excitement and joy that it has brought to the end of it.”
