Hope.
That's all we ask for. Something to hang our hats on when it comes to feeling like tomorrow is going to be better than yesterday. This has never been more true in life. This has never been more true in our corner of the sports world.
Payton Pritchard represents hope. It's something that feels a bit foreign, but satisfying, nonetheless.
When it comes to the Celtics' rookie guard we're not getting carried away. He is still a backup who is averaging just more than eight points and 23 minutes per game. Just two games ago Pritchard didn't score a single point, and one day before netting a career high 23 against the Raptors he totaled just five points.
But what Pritchard offers us is a notion that the future is actually something to look forward to.
Perhaps what makes Pritchard's presence even more appetizing is the underlying narrative that for the first time in a long time, a Boston pro sports team seemed smarter than everybody else.
He was Pick No. 26. Right now, Pritchard is the seventh-ranked rookie when it comes to ESPN.com's Player Efficiency Rating, and the fourth-best first-year player according to some other very in-depth analysis.
We used to have those instances of chest-pounding, mostly thanks to the Patriots. But too many times in recent years the conversation has been dominated by the players Bill Belichick and Co. could have had instead of the ones that were supposed to represent the future.
Kyle Dugger? Michael Owenu? Josh Uche? OK. I guess.
There were Bobby Dalbec and all those home runs. That was something.
The Bruins? Sure, there are some pieces.
In this town there is nothing like the buzz created by that out-of-nowhere rookie who suddenly becomes part of the solution right out of the gate. And when you can throw in a solid nickname (that doesn't seem forced) -- such as "8 Mile" -- it doesn't hurt.
Then there is the reality that Pritchard is fun to watch. Other than bizarrely stepping on the sidelines seemingly every game, he doesn't play like a rookie. He is creative and confident, traits that were put on full display against the Raptors with both Marcus Smart and Jeff Teague out.
The presence of the 22-year-old is also perhaps embraced with a bit more gusto because of the uneasiness that the Celtics' other first-round pick Aaron Nesmith has offered. The No. 14 overall pick is clearly not ready. Not really close, which would be a mammoth issue if not for Pritchard.
This isn't a slight on Nesmith. There has been a long line of rookies who simply need to evolve with time, along the likes of what they think is going on with last year's draftees Romeo Langford and Grant Williams.
Pritchard has been good from the get-go. And for this ultra-impatient sports community, that is the best new year's gift of them all.