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Elfrid Payton, Aaron Gordon wait impatiently on the sidelines

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (L) and forward Aaron Gordon (R) on the players bench during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Orlando Magic won 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (L) and forward Aaron Gordon (R) on the players bench during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Orlando Magic won 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Both Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon are feeling the angst of a new season. Both are out with injuries as they soak up their new schemes from the bench.

There is an antsy-ness to the beginning of training camp for every player.

Everyone is simply excited to be playing basketball again. The optimism of being 0-0 and starting a new season is ever present for the team. There is a lot of learning and getting to know teammates, but no one has a reason to complain or be upset. They only have work and opportunity to impress.

Sitting out these early days of training camp can be frustrating to say the least.

Unfortunately injuries do occur. There is rarely anything a player can do about them. For two Orlando Magic starters, Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton, they are left watching from the sidelines as their teammates start training camp thanks to early season injuries.

“Knowing how much I worked and I wanted to roll into the season,” Gordon said. “To slow down, it’s frustrating. That’s just the way it goes. In basketball there are sprained ankles. I’m just waiting to cash my chips.”

Gordon sprained his ankle a few weeks before training camp. The Magic are holding him out of practice for now, but general manager Rob Hennigan said last week Gordon is not expected to miss any preseason games (the team’s first game is Monday in Memphis).

For a player like Gordon though, who was in need of a healthy summer to begin realizing his vast potential, it is an especially frustrating setback. Gordon finally got himself going toward the end of the season after breaking his jaw in July last year. Even then, some nagging injuries and a late-season concussion slowed Gordon (he cleared the concussion protocols and played in the team’s finale at Charlotte).

Payton had the same sentiments as Gordon.

Coach Frank Vogel said following Tuesday’s first practice, Payton sprained his left hip flexor. The team held him out of the final 30-40 minutes of practice. He did not participate in Tuesday’s afternoon or practice or in Wednesday’s practice.

Payton said he is still feeling a slight pain and discomfort. But he feels the injury is not serious. He said he feels he is close to returning.

Payton said the biggest frustration was working all summer without any injuries or setbacks and then to have something happen in the first workout of the fall was especially frustrating.

“It’s a little tough,” Payton said. “The biggest thing is getting reps from my teammates. I’m able to pick up on things. I’m a good visual learner. But the biggest thing is getting in there with my teammates and playing with them.”

Payton and Gordon had some time to get to know their new teammates through pick-up games and workouts before the season began. It is not like they have never played with them before. And they should be able to drop in despite the minor setback.

Both Payton and Gordon said they are learning the defensive principles and rules as well as the offense from the sideline and are looking forward to getting back on the floor to gel with their teammates.

For now, Vogel said both are day to day. Their returns are relatively uncertain but seemingly optimistic that both will return with plenty of time before the season.

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“It’s always critical when young guys miss time early in camp,” Vogel said. “Especially with a new coach and a new system. It’s not anything we can’t overcome. They will be in there before we know it. We have to understand, it’s a long haul. It’s a long season and they will be in there in plenty of time.”