Is Elfrid Payton The Leader Of The Orlando Magic?
By Luke Duffy
Has Elfrid Payton actually become the leader of this new look Orlando Magic team?
As the season progresses, it’s becoming clear that the Orlando Magic have a chance to make the playoffs this season. They’ve made some key changes that have allowed them to become competitive in the improved Eastern Conference, including hiring head coach Scott Skiles and moving Victor Oladipo to the bench.
While the team has clearly improved in many areas though, it’s interesting to note that a leader hasn’t really emerged.
It was thought that Oladipo could be that guy, but it’s hard to assume that role coming off the bench. He’s a spark and a great option to have when he checks into a game though, and he’s still averaging 29.1 minutes of action a night. Nikola Vucevic was another who many thought could take that position, but despite being the model of consistency for this team, the Magic aren’t really seen as his team either.
More from Orlando Magic
- The most exciting NBA team you won’t see on national TV this season
- 5 NBA teams on the rise that will surprise everyone in 2023-24
- Ranking the 10 championship-less NBA teams by closeness to title
- Orlando Magic draft odds: What are the chances of landing the #1 pick?
- Franz Wagner has smashed the sophomore slump for the Orlando Magic
Which brings us to point guard Elfrid Payton — a second year player who has made improvements in his shooting, but is really very similar to the same player he was when he was acquired by the team on draft night in 2014.
Could this actually be his team now? If so, how did we get to this place, and what exactly has he done to show us that he will be the team’s leader should they make it to the playoffs?
This interview with NBA.com’s David Aldridge is a good place to start. It’s important because in it, Payton speaks like he is the leader of the team. Having that confidence in himself as a second-year player is noteworthy in and of itself. The word energy is also used a lot, although that particular skill is something many fans who only look at the numbers don’t have time for.
To look at Payton on the floor, however, it’s clear his movement on both ends of the court influences his teammates to also work hard. He’s constantly moving, especially defensively, and that active mentality gives the Magic a buzz they’ve sorely lacked in recent seasons.
In terms of numbers that reflect this, Payton runs an average of 1.07 miles on the defensive end each game, a team high and one of the better marks in the league (Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls leads with 1.26).
His average speed of 4.63 mph is the 13th highest mark in the whole league. Funnily enough, teammate Devyn Marble averages 4.73 mph, but he’s only appeared in six games this season and hasn’t done much of anything else meaningful (Player Efficiency Rating of -7.3). So Payton is clearly moving when on the court, but he’s become more than just a guy who tries hard.
Live Feed
Orlando Magic Daily
He also leads the Magic in assists (5.9 per game) and steals (1.4). As the floor general, it’s easier for him to assume the role as team leader as well, as it is he who is setting others up offensively. He’s able to control the tempo of the team, and knows best how to get others going.
For this reason, it’s almost to be expected that he could be the leader of this team. Further numbers that help his case are the 29.4 minutes a night he plays (fourth highest on the team) and the fact he’s taking 10.5 shots a night (up on the 8.6 of his rookie season).
He’s also one of only three players to start every game he’s played this year (along with Tobias Harris and Evan Fournier) and his three point shooting has gone from 26 percent to 31 percent, showing clear improvements. At the line, Payton shoots a pretty poor 64 percent, but it’s still much better than the 55 percent of last year. Payton is a better player than he was, and judging by the way he talks, he knows it as well.
But perhaps Harris could actually be the leader of this team? We’ve already accepted just how important he is for the Magic as they pursue a playoff spot. He got paid this summer and has responded accordingly, also starting every game he’s played in and posting career highs in assists (2.0) and rebounds (7.1). He’s a wing player in a league where having guys who can do what Harris does is important if you want to have success.
Best pg in East is Elfrid Payton!!! If not, Who is it then?? @elfrid #NBAVote https://t.co/dgDLhdS6ij
— TomE.Gunnz (@TomEGunnz) December 30, 2015
He also does for his team whatever is needed on any given night. If the scoring output is down he takes over, or if Vucevic isn’t dominating the boards as he can, Harris steps in to make an impact there.
But does that really make him the leader of the team? Or does he more closely resemble Oladipo, a player who can do many things for this team, just not as the main guy? That description would appear to fit him better.
Which almost means that, by default, Elfrid Payton has become the leader of this team.
That is not meant as a slight, because he has the numbers and the attitude to stake that claim himself. He gets teammates going not only through his ability to provide assists, but also with the way he plays on the court. That style is infectious, and it has helped make the Orlando Magic tougher to beat and more fun to watch as well.
More hoops habit: Every NBA Team's Best Bargain Contract
It would be nice to see this team make the playoffs this year, because it would give Payton a bigger platform to show the more casual fans what a nifty point guard he is becoming. More than that though, it’ll also showcase another side to his game: the fact that he has become the leader of this young and exciting team.