Payton Pritchard of the Boston Celtics has made it clear that criticism of the team’s heavy reliance on three-point shooting doesn’t bother him or the team. Addressing the growing backlash about the Celtics’ offensive strategy, Pritchard dismissed the notion that they take too many threes, asserting,
“I feel like some teams should maybe not take as many threes, but those teams should not be us. We’re the best at doing it. Why would we change?”
This defiance comes amid a season where the Celtics are breaking records with their three-point shooting. They currently average 51.0 three-point attempts per game, converting 18.7 at a 36.6% rate. The volume is so high that they attempt nearly 10 more threes per game than two-point shots, embodying head coach Joe Mazzulla’s philosophy of “efficient offense.” This approach has been instrumental in their success, including their 2023-2024 championship win.
However, critics argue that the Celtics’ style is emblematic of what they see as a league-wide problem: the overemphasis on three-point shooting.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged the concern, noting that many fans feel the league’s offenses have become “cookie-cutter,” with teams mimicking each other’s strategies.
Despite these criticisms, the Celtics remain unapologetic. They believe their shooting prowess sets them apart, with Pritchard’s personal success symbolizing their philosophy’s effectiveness.
Averaging a career-high 8.9 three-point attempts per game, 16.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on 47.8% from the field and hitting 40.2%, Pritchard is a leading candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year award. His confidence in the team’s three-point strategy reflects the broader ethos within the organization.
The Celtics’ reliance on the three-pointer isn’t new; it has been a staple of their gameplay for years. The team led the league in three-point attempts and makes last season, finishing second in three-point percentage. This season, they’ve doubled down on their approach, even as the league average for three-point attempts has climbed to 37.6 per game.
Statistically, the emphasis on three-pointers makes sense. Analytics show that three-point shots yield more points per possession than mid-range jumpers. According to ShotTracker, players average 105 points per 100 three-pointers compared to 79 points for every 100 mid-range attempts. For a team as efficient as the Celtics, it’s a winning formula.
However, the debate about whether this style of play is hurting the league continues. Fans and analysts alike argue that the reliance on threes reduces the diversity and creativity of offensive play, making games feel repetitive. While the Celtics remain firm in their approach, the broader discussion about the league’s offensive evolution is far from over.
For now, Boston’s success speaks for itself. With their deep roster and record-setting shooting, they remain a dominant force in the NBA, even as their style sparks controversy.
