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Could Orlando’s Elfrid Payton be Toast of 2014 Rookie Class?

By Brett David Roberts

Feb 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) during an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Orlando Magic defeated the New York Knicks 89-83. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) during an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Orlando Magic defeated the New York Knicks 89-83. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) and Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) high five against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Atlanta Hawks 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) and Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) high five against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Atlanta Hawks 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Payton is impacting games drastically, and while his statistics tell the story of a good NBA player, the eye test tells the story of a potentially great one. His acumen for splitting defenses and making the appropriate decision is not often found in rookie floor generals. Payton makes his rookie mistakes, to be sure, but often those mistakes are covered by pure brilliance within moments.

Often, Payton’s miscues near the basket result in good looks for Nikola Vucevic, Dewayne Dedmon, Aaron Gordon and the other Magic finishers.

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    • When he turns it over, his backcourt pressure can often mitigate a transition opportunity or even force a turnover.  Boundless energy makes up for a lot of things the stat sheet will fail to record.  Mistakes are covered by hard work.

    Opposing defenses are constantly wary of where Payton is because his active hands force a lot of turnovers.

    In the Magic’s 95-84 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Feb. 20, Payton was not credited with a single steal but forced five miscues that resulted in another player getting a steal or the possession resulting in a turnover. The Magic reeled off 15 fast-break points while limiting the Pelicans to just eight. The Magic assisted on 22 of the team’s 44 field goals and Payton led the way with 11 of those dimes.

    Yet, the telling factor was the influence he had on the offense.

    With Luke Ridnour providing a breather, the Pelicans put a lid on the basket and began to build a lead. But when Payton checked in and an exhausted Victor Oladipo headed to the bench (he had been trying to carry the second unit), the Magic received an injection of life. Elfrid got himself and Nikola Vucevic going as the Magic reeled off an 11-0 run.

    And he enhances his teammates oh so well. Oladipo had a great game in the win over New Orleans, but of his 11 field goals, many were the result of Payton finding him on curl cuts and backdoor jaunts to the hoop. The athletic 2-guard played off Payton’s court vision and took full advantage of a strong point who just never has his head down.

    Next: Payton deserving of lofty comparisons