Scott Skiles is the coach Elfrid Payton needs

Scott Skiles was a great NBA point guard, and his experiences and tutelage could transform Elfrid Payton into an All-Star.

It has been a long-assumed theory former point guards make the best coaches. Expanding this, the best point guards make the best coaches.

Accordingly, despite Skiles’ mediocre track record as a head coach, his hiring could have the most impact on one young Elfrid Payton.

Payton already showed the signs of being a potential superstar. His back-to-back triple doubles made the league take notice, but few outside of the Magic’s faithful fanbase are really alert as to what Payton brings to the table.

During the last month of the regular season, he led the league in assists. What makes it more impressive was his lack of good passing options and his sometimes erratic play, the inconsistency that at one point allowed Willie Green to get a massive minute-increase (though he eventually found his way back to the pine).

That will not happen in year two of his NBA career because Skiles is the perfect mentor for the UL-Layfayette product.

Skiles was a pass-first point guard whose offensive skills were never in question. He averaged more than nine assists per game for a Magic team whose best options were Nick Anderson and Dennis Scott. To be sure, it was not a team devoid of talent, as Skiles and company compiled a plus-.500 record during the final month of the 1992 season.

The Magic made a rapid improvement from 18 wins to 31 in a year, and that is the kind of progression the Magic are hoping for with Skiles at the helm once again, just on the sidelines.

There are concerns Skiles is too hard on his players, but Payton should adapt to his rigors and flourish even. He is every bit as good a distributor as Skiles was, but he is quicker, has far more athleticism, and he is a much better defender.

In the all-time point guard rankings, Payton still finished below Skiles, but the natural potential of Payton projects a much higher ceiling.

James Borrego praised Payton’s humility and credited his parents for a strong upbringing. He is not cocky, and it would be easy to adopt that mindset while stuffing the stat sheet. But his humble nature is what will also allow him to thrive under a demanding coach like Skiles.

And the result?

It could be nothing short of finally making the postseason and signaling the rebuild has been successful. It is by no means a long shot.

Skiles has put his three former teams into the postseason. He hs just failed to get any past the conference semifinals.

To expect that from the Magic would be a bit of a long shot, but the chance is there to improve from 25 wins last season to potentially 35 to 40. That will be enough to probably make the postseason in the depleted Eastern Conference.

Skiles was eventually replaced by Penny Hardaway when the Magic obtained the legendary point guard out of Memphis State. Hardaway is indisputably the best point guard the Magic have had, but Skiles is not far behind. His 30-assist game against the Denver Nuggets in 1991 places him where he belongs in the annals of greatness.

As for his coaching, maybe by guiding the Magic back to the postseason next year would take the notice of the league. Skiles was respected as a player and a leader, and those qualities transferred to his coaching.

There is no reason to be upset about Skiles being hired, if he is, because his coaching will bring out the best in the Magic’s backcourt. The Payton and Victor Oladipo combo is not even scratching the surface of a great diamond that the Magic have unearthed.

While Skiles may draw criticism for his 18-24 playoff record, he will not be assaulted for putting guys on the bench who give half-spirited efforts.

Even in the 1992 season, Orlando was not in playoff contention but played the role of “spoiler” to perfection. A similar improvement would signal this was definitely the right hire.

Next: What does the change mean for Tobias Harris?