Who is the Orlando Magic’s leader?

Elfrid Payton

Elfrid Payton has the toughness and mental prowess to take the Magic team as his own. Traditionally, the point guard should be the team’s unquestioned leader. A team’s success goes as far as the point guard driving the bus.

The fact Payton was relegated to a bench role recently should not stop him from leading the team. It actually should help him, in an unusual way.

The leader who accepted a bench role to help his team win. Essentially, doing what was necessary to succeed and what was asked by the head coach. Payton has become the definition of a team player.

Only thing is, Payton responded in a rather unexpected way.

Instead of sulking and whining about not being a starter, Payton played his best basketball since being removed from his starting gig. He has crossed the 20-point plateau four times as a reserve compared to once as a starter. You can see the chip on his shoulder at certain times throughout games.

It was clear Payton earned his way back into the starting lineup earlier this week.

You can see the improvement from Payton in his aggressiveness to get to the rim on offense and his tenacity and grit on defense.

If the Magic believe Payton is the point guard of the future, then Payton needs to be crowned team leader and given the freedom to lead the Magic into the next era of basketball.

Once Payton figures how to become a consistent threat he will become a fixed starter in the NBA.