Orlando Magic’s Elfrid Payton’s elite distribution goes beyond statistics
Elfrid Payton’s impact is going far beyond statistical measures, and the comparisons to Rajon Rondo continue to hold ever more accurate as his career path unfolds on a by-game basis.
Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan showed no hesitation in aggressively dealing for Elfrid Payton on draft night, and we’re beginning to really see why the general manager was infatuated with his prospects.
Elfrid Payton impacts games so profoundly, that his statistics do not even do justice. This statement is made irrespective of the fact he has been a triple-double threat, without considering his rebounding numbers and without even calculating turnovers.
Payton is beginning to take over games.
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Early in the game Friday, the first of these instances can be found defensively. With the Magic trailing 10-8 early on he trapped Tyreke Evans in the backcourt, batted the ball, and then forced the New Orleans Pelicans into an eight-second violation.
This kind of havoc wreaking is exactly what Hennigan and Magic fans have envisioned since seeing what a defensive terror the guard can be. He then proceeded to set Dewayne Dedmon up for a great look on the right block which the Magic big man missed.
When Payton checked out, the Magic offense began to slow, to stick and the well-oiled machine it appeared to be disintegrated with the second unit and Luke Ridnour on the court. The veteran Ridnour made a couple very nice moves in transition, but the drop off from the exciting prospect of Payton a “steady veteran” was felt immediately.
When Payton checked back in at the 6:19 mark of the second quarter, the Magic trailed by six points, having struggled to put points on the board with only Victor Oladipo able to score the ball in a lineup featuring rookie Aaron Gordon, Andrew Nicholson and Dewayne Dedmon.
But that would all change quickly.
And this is all in spite of the fact the UL-Layfayette product did not even hit his first field goal until he knifed in a little floater at the 5:10 mark of the second quarter. His distribution had been on point the entire time, however, and he picked up his sixth assist as the Magic reeled off a 7-0 run and tied the game back up at 41 apiece.
Payton found Fournier near the basket for his seventh assist as halftime neared, and it became apparent this was a game the speedy floor general was going to take over. At the half, the Magic had 10 assists on 20 field goals, and he had accounted for seven of those, eventually finishing with 11 assists in the game to go with his 10 points and seven rebounds.
Payton also worked well in tandem with backcourt mate Victor Oladipo, helping him get off in the third quarter as he scored eight points in the first six minutes of the second half. Fournier got going, too, hitting a long two as part of an 11-0 run cued by Payton getting the team out in transition. The Pelicans burned a timeout with the Magic up 65-58 at the 4:27 mark and leading the fast break scoring battle 13 to 2 with the Pels.
Oladipo shot six of eight in the third period for 12 of his game-high 22 points, and Payton fed him for several of those looks, easy floaters around the basket, spaced by Nikola Vucevic’s presence detracting the attention of shot blocker extraordinaire Anthony Davis.
With Vucevic cooking and Payton penetrating, Oladipo was able to hit 11 field goals from two-point range, while still having a dominant game despite missing all four of his threes. Fournier found mid-range shots aplenty with the rest of the Magic’s starters all playing their best.
And nearly all of this increased production came as a result of Payton just keeping his dribble, keeping his head up, and directing an unselfish offense that at times looked like a playoff caliber offense.
This is what the Magic can be at its best, and it has become abundantly clear that Hennigan made the right choice in selecting who is in all likelihood going to be the best point guard from the 2014 rookie class.
Elfrid still has plenty of improvements to make, but even his lack of jumper is seeming not to matter as he splits and knifes the paint to find little floaters that he does hit. Payton took just seven field goals, but entirely took over a game.
This is the kind of thing Rajon Rondo has been doing his entire All-Star career, and the Magic now have such a game changer on the roster.
Somehow, Payton was not credited with a single steal — but that is inaccurate. He cued a lot of hurried Pelicans offense, created miscues and ultimately helped the Magic collect a few team steals. He ignited breaks, and the Magic finished with 15 fast break points on the night.
Payton is head of a Magic tidal wave that can build momentum as this season wraps up. Games like Payton’s Friday night put the punctuation marks on the statement that this is a team whose talents and abilities greatly exceed the bleak 18-39 record it boasts.