Elfrid Payton has consistently surprised and impressed onlookers with his control of the point guard position. But nothing is ever that easy. There is still a lot to learn, even while impressing.
The common refrain is point guard is the hardest position to learn in the NBA. There are so many good point guards in the NBA at this present moment, life learning this trade can be very tough.
Yet, every point guard has to go through these trials and tribulations. Elfrid Payton is certainly included in that.
Payton’s season goes from one extreme to the other, it seems. He went from two points, two assists in the first game against the Hawks to five points, seven assists in the second. He will have one game with two points followed by games with seven points and then back down to two. His assists will usually hang around four or five. His playing time has fluctuated too. Sometimes he finishes games, other times he is a spectator for much of the second half.
Inconsistency is expected from a rookie learning this difficult position. It is going to be a step-by-step process as he experiences everything that comes with running a team and playing against some of the best, most cerebral and exacting players in the league. Already Payton has faced up against Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, Kemba Walker and Kyle Lowry. Among the very best and diverse players in the league.
Elfrid Payton’s biggest weakness is his shot. But despite inconsistency, Payton finds a way to get his looks and gain confidence. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
“I just think overall this is a tough position to play,” Magic coach Jacque Vaughn said. “That’s just a part of this is your first time going through this. There are going to be some great nights for Elfrid and there are going to be some nights where he struggles. That’s just part of it. The good thing is we have other guys on our roster who can pick us up.”
His first career double double last week against the Jazz (11 points, 11 assists) was a big milestone for the rookie. But he followed that up the next game against the 76ers by missing all seven of his shots to go with six assists. There is still some consistency lacking from him. But it is slowly coming.
It is to be expected from a rookie.
Now that Jacque Vaughn and the Magic appear ready to turn the keys from the opening tip over to Elfrid Payton — he has started the last four games for his first start since November 14 while Victor Oladipo was out — and the suggestion from Vaughn and the players was that there would be no further changes to the lineup, it is time for the rookie to grow up and grow up quickly.
So what has Elfrid Payton learned through the first 30-plus games of his career?
“I’m very comfortable doing it ,” Payton said early in the season. “It is something I have been doing it the majority of my life. It’s just different because a couple of the guys are a little bit older than you. You just have to have the confidence that you know what you’re talking about and go out and do it.
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Payton added the common refrain that he is learning how to stay even-keeled, something every rookie says they have to do as they go through the ups and downs of the season. Payton has had his ups and downs too.
But one thing coaches have noticed, and it is clear to see too, is how he controls the pace of the game. That is really something for a rookie. Payton definitely can push the pace and make decisions in transition, something the Magic are sometimes lacking.
His play has impressed. Tobias Harris said following the Magic’s win over the Hornets on Saturday that he sometimes has to remind himself Payton is still a rookie when he makes mistakes.
"“I know I get on him at times,” Harris said. “I forget he’s only a rookie. He’s doing a great job as a rookie. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He’s getting to the paint. He’s making shots. I think his confidence as a player is really growing. He’s so competitive that he wants to go back at everybody.”"
Since joining the starting lineup full time, Payton has had his ups and downs for sure. He did not finish the game against Cleveland, but was integral to the win over Charlotte the following night.
In 14 games as a starter, Payton is averaging 6.4 points and 5.9 assists per game. There are some moments when it feels like the Magic are still keeping him a bit reigned in. That is understandable, he is a rookie and the Magic have all but admitted they wanted to build his confidence by having him come off the bench and play against supposedly weaker opponents.
Pelican Debrief
Payton offensively especially has been up and down. He sometimes spends games where he is not even looking for his own shot. And then he will turn around and have an efficient game where he is driving to the basket and making a still-improving (and quickly) floater.
His continued improvement offensively will be something the Magic will keep an eye on as they try to develop him as their point guard of the future. Payton’s willingness to learn has already made an impression on his teammates. And the one thing he has to continue to learn is when to look for his offense and when to set up others. That is something that will come with feel.
The Magic though are not afraid to let Payton just go out and play.
That was a key lesson for Jacque Vaughn when he was playing under Jerry Sloan. While Payton will get his playing time and will be a key cog to a Magic team that is somehow in the midst of a Playoff race midway through the season
The one thing the Magic continue to like about Payton — and they could see this as he went after Kemba Walker on offense as Walker went on his scoring onslaught — is he is not backing down from any challenge.
He is learning trial by fire but is not backing down. That is the biggest thing to learn. His career will be long, no one is expecting a finish product right now.
“This league it teaches you something every night if you are willing to accept the lessons,” Vaughn said. “He continues to want to get better. You can call it what you want to. I don’t remember a point guard starting every game of the year playing 40 minutes in my time. There’s different segments of the season where guys play and don’t play and they learn. I feel that is the way you appreciate what you have and understand what your place is and grow from different scenarios.”
Every night will not be easy for Payton, even if he sometimes makes it look that way. But each night will also be a learning experience for the rookie. One the Magic need him to soak up.