So far, two of the biggest stories of the Boston Celtics season have been the stellar play of Derrick White and Payton Pritchard. White is having a career season at age 30 and Pritchard is an early Sixth Man of the Year frontrunner. Shot chart data from Shotcreator.com shows players’ percentages from each zone and the percentile this percentage puts them in. For White and Pritchard, this data, along with multiple advanced stats, displays their elite efficiency.
Advanced Stats Highlight White’s and Pritchard’s Absurd Efficiency
Derrick White’s Shot Chart
Derrick White’s shot chart
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— Eamon Cassels (@EamonCassels) November 30, 2024
White’s shot chart shows that he is above league average in all but one zone. Even still in the left corner, White is only 0.3 percent below league average and will likely finish above league average when the season is over, especially considering he is shooting 10 percent above league average from the opposite corner. Impressively, White is above league average by 10 percent in two zones and by 5 percent in two zones. On non-rim shots in the paint, White is shooting a ridiculous 15 percent above league average. White’s 41.4 percent on 140 above-the-break threes is highly impressive.
This data backs up White’s career season. Notably, his 18.3 points and 41.9 percent shooting on three-pointers (excluding the 2017-18 season in which White shot a total of 13 threes) are both career highs. White’s efficiency is more impressive, considering his significant uptick in volume. His 9.1 three-point attempts and 13.4 field-goal attempts are both career highs. White ranks fifth in total made three-pointers and seventh in three-pointers made per game while ranking eighth in attempts per game. Furthermore, White’s 64.1 true shooting percentage is a career-high outside of the 2017-18 season, where he played in just 17 games. On 6.1 catch-and-shoot attempts per game, White is shooting an absurd 47 percent. White also ranks in the 94th percentile of offensive plus/minus.
In addition to being one of the league’s most efficient shooters, White is an elite perimeter defender and connective playmaker. White is a crucial piece of the Celtics title defense. His incredible shooting efficiency and all-around play will earn White some All-Star consideration, perhaps even a selection.
Payton Pritchard’s Shot Chart
Payton Pritchard’s shot chart
@shotcreatordata pic.twitter.com/VC6ePE0g1n
— Eamon Cassels (@EamonCassels) November 30, 2024
Pritchard is above league average in each zone, with certain zones showing unmatched efficiency. Notably, Pritchard is shooting 33 percent above league average on non-rim paint shots, he is also shooting 17 and 20 percent above league average from the corners. On 131 above-the-break threes, Pritchard is shooting an impressive 42.7 percent. He is also shooting 48 percent on 5.4 catch-and-shoot attempts per game.
Similar to White, Pritchard is having a career year with an increase in volume, his 15.6 points per game and 44 percent from beyond the arc are career highs, all while averaging 3.0 more field goal attempts and 3.7 more three-point attempts. Pritchard’s 15.6 points per game is a significant increase from his 9.6 points per game from last year. His true shooting percentage of 67.9 is a career-high by 8.2 percent this impressive efficiency puts Pritchard in the 90th percentile. Pritchard ranks sixth in total three-pointers made and eighth in three-pointers made per game while averaging the 12th most threes in the league. He also ranks first in total bench points and is in the 96th percentile for offensive plus/minus.
Ultimately, Pritchard’s elite efficiency and improved play raise the Celtics’ ceiling; he has quickly established himself as one of Boston’s most important players. Pritchard is the odds-on favorite to win Sixth Man of the Year, but his improved play and scoring jump also give him a case for the Most Improved Player award.
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