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Orlando Magic: Week One Thoughts

By Luke Duffy

Oct 30, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) shoots a layup against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Amway Center. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Orlando Magic 139-136 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) shoots a layup against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Amway Center. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Orlando Magic 139-136 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Elfrid Payton Can Shoot

The big knock on Payton’s game during his rookie campaign was that he couldn’t shoot the ball consistently. This was true, and the word was out from early on during the summer that Payton was working diligently to change that. So far it seems to have paid off, with Payton having developed a more dependable three-point shot, which is huge for his game.

Not only that, but it’s a massive boost for this team as well.

Payton led all rookies in assists last season (6.5, exactly what he’s averaged to start this season) while driving to the basket an average of 9.4 times per contest. That number was good for 17th in the league, and it was the reason he shot 43.4 percent.

The ability to score in traffic, while also knowing when to kick the ball out to teammates, made Payton an important player for the Magic and a rookie a lot of teams would have liked to draft.

Adding the three point shot represents the next step in his development, and it’s arrived sooner that I’d thought. Payton shot 50 percent on threes (he was 2-of-4) in that thrilling loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and was 1-of-3 against the Wizards.

That’s 43 percent and while that number will fall as the season wears on, it’s arguably the biggest development for this team going forward. Defenders can’t sag of Payton now, freeing up more space for the likes of Hezonja and Tobias Harris. It’s been great to watch.

Next: All-Star Potential Here, Effectiveness An Issue Though

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