Payton Pritchard’s latest improbable heave didn‘t count, but still, the Celtics guard putting up a deep look at the end of a quarter has become must-watch TV. This time, he made a three-quarters deep shot at the end of the third quarter of the Celtics’ blowout win Thursday over the Wizards. Of course, there were only 0.2 seconds left on the clock, so a jumper couldn’t count by NBA rules even though it went in.
Pritchard’s never been afraid to put up those heaves despite the hit on his shooting percentages. His greatest moment, of course, came when he made the half court buzzer-beater in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, sending the crowd into a frenzy. While many players opt out of throwing up heaves, there could be a new rule change coming to address that.
There’s a new G League experimental rule put in place this season specifically for heaves. Basically, instead of heaves hurting a player’s individual percentage, it would instead turn into a team field-goal attempt. Certain criteria must be met, mainly being that it needs to be a missed field goal in the last three seconds of the first three quarters of the game, it must take place roughly 36 feet away from the basket (a specific spot on the court), and the play must originate in the backcourt. Pritchard was a fan of the new rule.
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“I think they should implement that in the NBA,” Pritchard said, via CLNS Media. “I mean, it‘s a shot like, obviously it‘s not a normal 3-point shot. Some guys don‘t take it because it might hurt their percentages. I don‘t worry about the percentage of it because it can change the momentum of the game. But I don‘t think it’s a bad rule to look at.”
Pritchard said he doesn‘t practice those long-range shots, instead just trusting himself that he can make it. Those heaves have become a big part of his game as he‘s taken the shot no matter the odds. He added that it can change the momentum of the game when he makes it even if it doesn‘t count, much like in Thursday’s game.
Naturally, Pritchard has heard plenty about his Game 5 buzzer-beater against the Mavericks. But it wasn‘t just that specific heave as he also made a few of those long-distance shots throughout the regular season last year. And now, it’s just a part of his game fans can expect out of him. Aside from heaves, he even had another idea when it comes to deep shots.
“I honestly think maybe past half court, they should think about adding it as a four-point play,” Pritchard said. “It could be interesting. I‘ve seen rules overseas, they have a four-point line. I don‘t think we’ll ever do that, honestly. But if it‘s behind half court, make it a four-point play. I don‘t know. It’s interesting to think about.”
