Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: One thing or another
Marc Stein, ESPN.com
1. team. 29. . (51-14). Previous: . San Antonio Spurs
(26-40). Previous: . New Orleans Pelicans. 23. team. 69.
(24-43). Previous: . Orlando Magic. 24. team. 38.
"Quick! Name the five active players who rank as their team’s all-time franchise leader in triple-doubles. The first four should be fairly obvious: Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook (69), Cleveland’s LeBron James (42), Houston’s James Harden (25) and Toronto’s Kyle Lowry (7). The fifth might surprise you; Orlando’s much-maligned Elfrid Payton is up to five career triple-doubles in his three pro seasons after he reached the milestone in back-to-back games last week against the Knicks and Bulls. OK, OK. Maybe milestone is the wrong word when the Magic split the two games and sit 19 games under .500. But it’s the second time in his career that Payton has managed a triple-double in consecutive games. And Orlando, at this point, is understandably searching for even the smallest victories to savor."
team. 66. . (22-45). Previous: . Phoenix Suns. 25
Elfrid Payton has taken a lot of heat for the Orlando Magic this season. The third-year point guard has always been a bit of a mystery, even during his rookie year. He had a couple triple doubles then and showed promise as a penetrator and creator.
Payton never really progressed, though. His numbers stayed relatively flat and the Magic did not seem able to count on him for the same kind of production every game. His defense, a strong suit of his in college, also was not as good as advertised.
Payton leveled off some and has been more consistent in his third year, but not nearly enough to make the Magic think their future at the position is secure. Payton struggled to attack consistently. The team often goes as Payton’s production goes. And more often than not it was not good enough — see, team’s record.
That changed a bit this past week. And really since the All-Star Break. Payton has thrived with the team’s focus on getting into the open court more and the space created by having multiple shooters on the perimeter and Aaron Gordon closer to the basket. The triple-double surge from Payton — now three in the last five games — is a product of the Magic’s new offense and how effective Payton can be.
Yet, despite Payton’s individual brilliance, the Magic are not winning. He had 13 assists against the Charlotte Hornets . . . and the Magic lost by 40. Orlando is only 2-4 in games Payton records a triple double. The individual stats are nice, but even Payton would agree they are meaningless without getting a victory.