Elfrid Payton soaks in All-Star Weekend
By Carson Ingle
Elfrid Payton has been through the whirlwind of the NBA. He is now getting to live a dream and participate in NBA All-Star Weekend in New York.
One of the great opportunities NBA All-Star Weekend provides is a link forging an older generation of stars with the league’s new breed of talent. The main outlet for this connection is the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge.
It is an experience that Magic players Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton both get to indulge in, but it is probably even more meaningful for the rookie point guard. Payton has parlayed a strong start to his career with the New York City invite and it not taking anything for granted.
“I’m excited to get out here to engage with the fans and with my teammates,” said Payton. “I’m a little tired, but the fun is keeping my my mind occupied.”
As a child in Louisiana, Payton never thought these moments were impossible and grew up in awe of the All-Star festivities. His favorite memory was the memorable Vince Carter dunk contest of 2000.
Seeing all the stars compete on Sunday was also something that resonated with the Louisiana-Lafayette product. While hopes of an All-Star bid lie in the future, the chance just to be a part of the game’s foremost spectacle in the sport’s mecca is plenty for the man just 56 games into his career.
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“I guess it adds to it a little bit,” said Payton on competing in New York City. “Obviously one of the most storied arenas is (Madison Square Garden). Just being in the city of New York, Brooklyn, and things like that, I think it adds to it.”
All along the way this weekend, Payton will be shadowed by his slightly more experienced teammate. There is even talk that the duo might team up during Oladipo’s dunk routine Saturday night. Payton admitted he practiced with Oladipo some already after Wednesday’s game.
Payton, who will have his own duties Saturday night as a late replacement for Philadelphia’s Michael Carter-Williams in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, is interested to see what his backcourt partner will do to cap the night.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said Payton. “I’m excited. I want to see what he’s going to bring. I want to see what [Mason] Plumlee is going to bring, Giannis [Antetokounmpo], and Zach [LaVine]. I think they’re going to put on a show.”
In addition, while he may be only 22, Oladipo is more than happy to to take the same leadership role he does during the season with Payton throughout the weekend.
“It’s big being able to share it with my fellow backcourt mate,” said Oladipo. “Just going with him and trying to build chemistry. Trying to build something bigger than ourselves. It’s great for him to be out here and it’s great for us to be playing together in an event like this.”
Ultimately, the larger narrative that both players understand is this is a coming out party for the Magic’s young core of talent. While the record shows just 16-37 and big man Nikola Vucevic was left off the roster for Sunday’s game, these two carry the torch to show that what is being built in Orlando is something that has permanence.
Being a torchbearer for the franchise is something Payton cannot wait to carry out.
“Just (show) that we are on the rise,” said Payton. “I think the organization is going in the right direction. I think it’s big for us.”