Jrue Holiday is a top-tier basketball defender who is able to recognize exceptional offensive skill. Thus, it was important to pay attention to what he said when he praised Payton Pritchard’s skill set on Monday afternoon.

“He can hoop. He’s just a natural bucket,” Holiday noted of Pritchard after practice. “The way that he plays is so easy. It looks like it just comes naturally to him.”

Holiday has felt this way about Pritchard for a while, having faced him in the past and from simply observing from a distance. These observations are not limited to the last few weeks since Holiday joined the Celtics.

Holiday is excited to watch how they collaborate and support one another on the court now that they are teammates.

“It’s always fun to watch him play. But playing with him, he’s great to play off of,” Holiday said. “Obviously the shooter that he is, he can either play off-ball or you play off the ball with him and he has the ball. A very versatile player.”

Pritchard feels similarly and is excited to take notes from such an established veteran point guard.

“Jrue is an unbelievable player,” Pritchard said shortly before Holiday spoke his kind words. “So for me to have somebody like that, who I can learn so much from defensively, offensively, just how he attacks the game is incredible. I’m definitely going to be picking his brain a lot this year.”

What Pritchard may not be aware of yet is that Holiday plans to pick his brain, as well. Holiday doesn’t just view himself as a mentor, but also as a learner of the game – even at 33 years old – and there is plenty that the two-time All-Star can gain from his 25-year-old teammate.

“There are things I feel like I can get from him – even how he comes off the screen and shoots it,” said Holiday. “He’s a couple of inches shorter than me, but he gets his shot off every time and it’s pure. So I think it’s just having a relationship, building that chemistry, and then just keeping that line of communication open is important.”

This preseason, Pritchard’s unwavering shooting ability has been evident as he has made 52.3 percent of his field goals, including 41.9 percent from 3-point range. And that too while using a loud shutter speed. In addition, he leads the team in scoring throughout the preseason and is among the top five scorers in the league with an average of 21.7 points per game.

Pritchard has received recognition for his communication skills and desire to take the lead in addition to his stats. Joe Mazzulla, the head coach, sees a player who is ready to take charge and develop.

“The most important thing is that he asks questions. He wants to understand,” said Mazzulla. “And so he’s asking me, he’s asking the assistants, he’s asking his teammates questions, and that gives him the ability to communicate with his teammates. He’s doing a great job of recognizing situational basketball on both ends of the floor and how we can be better at it.”

All indications point to a fourth season that Pritchard is expecting will be a breakout. With Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon leaving in the offseason, he has less competition in the backcourt and is well on his way to gaining a bigger role. He also has a new contract deal in hand.

“For me, it’s just controlling what I can control and that’s showing up every day, getting my work in, and attacking the minutes that I do get,” Pritchard said of his mindset. “So defensively, offensively, whatever that is, that’s kind of where my head’s at. Whatever I get, I’m gonna go out and play hard, play aggressive, and lay it all out.”

So far, he’s making all the right impressions. As a “natural bucket” should.