Orlando Magic Daily
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2017 Central Florida 85 Nos. 1-17: The Best of the Best

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - AUGUST 31: UCF mascot Knightro takes the field before the football game between the visiting FIU Panthers and the UCF Knights on August 31, 2017 at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - AUGUST 31: UCF mascot Knightro takes the field before the football game between the visiting FIU Panthers and the UCF Knights on August 31, 2017 at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 7: Elfrid Payton #4 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets on February 7, 2017 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

15. Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic

In three years as the Orlando Magic’s starting point guard, Elfrid Payton has created his supporters and his detractors. He has found a way to infuriate and disappoint and then restore hope. He finds a way to keep everyone coming back or he is the guy the team cannot seem to quit.

Payton took over as the Magic’s starting point guard seemingly by the start of his rookie year. Orlando gave up quite a bit to get him and it was clear the team pegged him as its point guard of the future.

Even when he arrived, he was seen as a playmaker more than a scorer. In fact, his scoring was almost non-existent. The hope is he would one day develop into a 3-point shooter. But between his ability to get into the paint and dish to others and his defensive potential — he won the Lefty Dreisell Award as the nation’s top defender his junior year with the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns.

Payton has progressed and stagnated and regressed in his career. He has been everything and nothing for the Magic. And that was seemingly just last year.

Payton averaged 12.8 points per game and 6.5 assists per game. He shot a career-best 47.1 percent from the floor. But he still struggled from beyond the arc (27.4 percent). It is hard to tell whether he is the engine that can drive the Magic to new heights or whether he is a solid playmaker on the wrong team because he does not have any shooters around him.

Like so many players, it seems like fit matters most for him.

That was pretty evident after the All-Star Break. After struggling through the first half of the season and seemingly being hamstrung by the players around him, Payton burst out after the break. It was about more than the five triple doubles he accumulated.

Payton averaged 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game after the All-Star Break. That was with Payton having complete control of a fast-paced offense. He gave up on shooting 3-pointers, his big weakness, and just took what the defense gave him. He was dangerous when he got into the lane and could score effectively. Not to mention get others involved.

His play to end the season probably helped give him another year. Or at least made management feel the point guard position was not in panic mode. Maybe some fans still felt that way.

The reality is Payton is now in a contract year. He had a really strong end to the season and showed plenty of promise. But he also has a lot to work on — his shooting and defense especially. And he is running out of time to prove what he is in the NBA.