Orlando Magic have their backcourt set in Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton
The Orlando Magic seem to have their backcourt set with Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton. Their improvement this summer will direct the Magic’s future.
In any iteration of the Orlando Magic’s rebuild, one thing seems to be perfectly clear.
The backcourt is set.
Yes, Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton have their flaws. They still both struggle to shoot and gain defense’s respect for their burgeoning shots. But their defensive tenacity and growing offensive ability — especially their ability to get into the paint seemingly at will despite their lack of a jumper — created a sense of optimism.
These two players have three years of combined NBA experience now and they seemed capable of wreaking havoc on NBA defenses already. Both talked extensively about their growing chemistry together, how much they enjoyed playing together and how much confidence they have in their continued improvement.
It seems and feels like the Magic are set in their backcourt for the foreseeable future.
“I don’t know if you were watching what I was watching, but I definitely think so,” Chaninng Frye said. “I think whatever happens with the team and the coching staff, those two guys are going to be successful for a long time in this league. They really work well off each other. I think they’re going to work once the chemistry grows and really matures.”
The two worked pretty well together in Payton’s rookie season. With Oladipo and Payton on the floor together, the Magic posted a team-best 102.7 offensive rating on the floor. The team had a 17.1 percent assist ratio with the two on the floor.
While the team’s defense struggled — they played many of their minutes against the other team’s starters — the Magic were a better offensive team with Oladipo and Payton on the floor. This is without either of them having a consistent jumper.
“I think we made a lot of strides, a lot of progress this year,” Elfrid Payton said. “I think it is going to take continuing getting in the gym with each other, continuing to talk and just our relationship growing on and off the court.”
Oladipo and Payton expect to spend some time on the court together throughout the summer. They plan on working out together and continuing to build their relationship and chemistry.
Payton is the point guard and will be seen as a leader. Oladipo seems to have taken the leadership role as the most talented and potential All Star on the roster.
There is no doubting these two will be important cogs to the team’s future. A lot has been invested in them already despite their lack of experience in the league. As the Magic’s final puzzle comes into focus, it seems Payton and Oladipo are two of the key pieces.
Perhaps the biggest pieces.
“I think you are starting to see the league is leaning toward the two-guard setup,” Channing Frye said. “I think they can both play the point. I think they switch it off depending on the situation and depending what’s going to work for our team.
“If you’re asking are these two guys the cornerstone of the team, I’d say heck yes. It’s rare to get a guy like Elfrid Payton. He’s impressed me all year with just how gritty and tough he is. VO has defintiely impressed me by his maturity. I think this has been the most consistent year he’s had of starting all the games. They’re impressive.”
Everyone can see the potential these two guys have. They have plenty they need to improve on to get to the next level.
| Rk | Player | G | MP | FG% | 3P% | eFG% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | TOV | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Oladipo | 72 | 35.7 | .436 | .339 | .474 | .819 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 17.9 |
| 2 | Elfrid Payton | 82 | 30.4 | .425 | .262 | .433 | .551 | 4.3 | 6.5 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 8.9 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/3/2015.
Most importantly is their shooting. Oladipo shot a 47.4 percent effective field goal percentage this year and Payton had a 43.3 percent effective field goal percentage. Payton’s number is awful. Oladipo’s number is OK, but still has plenty of room for improvement.
The paint will remain crowded until the duo become better shooters.
The one thing that seems most certain this offseason, however, is that Payton and Oladipo will be given the chance to grow together. These two players seem to be the most untouchable of any of the players on this still evolving Magic core.
And so Orlando will bank on their continued improvement and growth, believing this backcourt is set for the future.
“We’re going to get better,” Victor Oladipo said. “We’re going to push each other. It’s all about winning. Everybody has got to have that mentality of doing whatever it takes to win. And if they lose, they’ve got to hate losing. It’s a big summer for us. I wish we were still playing. But I definitely can’t wait until next season.”