Players to Watch For in Atlanta’s Southeast Division
By Tom Atkinson
Elfrid Payton – Orlando Magic
When a coach quits because he does not really believe in you, it’s safe to say you have something to prove. That’s what happened with Elfrid Payton in Orlando. Magic coach Scott Skiles resigned at season’s end supposedly because of a disagreement with management over the wild-haired point guard.
For Payton, his NBA career started well. Orlando traded up for him on draft day and he was their point guard of the future, forming a young back-court with Victor Oladipo. That year (2014), Payton averaged 8.9 points, 6.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year race. He even became the first rookie since Antoine Walker in 1997 to put up triple-doubles in two consecutive games. Payton’s shooting was not great, but he showed both competent defensive and astute play-making. He was not the most athletic, neither, but Payton was a solid shot away from being really good. He was the future.
However, the 2015-16 season was a struggle. His shooting improved nicely but he was still not a consistent threat on the jumpers and his previous strengths waned. His assists fell and, according to Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel, “Payton took a step back on the defensive end — and that was his calling card at Louisiana-Lafayette.”
That was not the end of Payton’s troubles, though, as his commitment became somewhat suspect. “Skiles took him out for stretches when he inexplicably lacked energy or when the team needed scoring, particularly late in games,” Schmitz explained.
In fairness to Payton, many players have sophomore struggles but Payton has had difficult circumstances. In terms of coaching, for example, Skiles was his fourth coach in two years. Having so many different systems and instructions must be difficult for a developing youngster. Payton’s future, though, is in his hands and he has to prove to the organisation that they were right.
Changes have come in bunches in Orlando this off-season. Oladipo was traded to the Thunder for Serge Ibaka. Bismack Biyombo was a notable free agent signing. Frank Vogel came in to replace Skiles. and should help Payton consolidate that part of his game. The 22-year-old point guard should benefit from this and all of the Magic’s other maneuvers.
"“Elfrid Payton does not appear to be on borrowed time with this team. In fact, it looks like many of the moves made this summer were done so to cater to his unique skill set. If he’s having a bad night, others are now available to pick up the slack, and they’re veterans,” Luke Duffy of FanSided’s Hoops Habit said. “However that does make this season a make-or-break one for different reasons entirely. If Payton can’t succeed here, with all of the help he has been given, he may not be brought back for a fourth season.”"
Elfrid Payton has the potential to be a solid playmaker with strong defense and rebounding but the pressure is on him to show it. The Orlando hierarchy literally chose him over coach Scott Skiles, so he definitely has a lot to prove. Whether Payton can, remains to be seen. But, his career with the Magic may very well depend on it.
Next: The X-Factor In The Nation's Capital
Bradley Beal – Washington Wizards
For Bradley Beal, there are three extra motivations that should guide him through the 2016-17 season. First, his relationship with John Wall is notoriously bad and there are serious doubts about whether the duo can work. Second, there are very serious doubts about his potential. Many have waited and are still waiting for him to take that next step into stardom. Third, he has just signed the biggest deal in Wizards history and needs to prove himself worthy of it. Those are three big things for Beal to deal with.
Bradley Beal was the third pick in 2012, coming into the NBA with a reputation as a smooth shooter. He was the perfect piece next to John Wall and there was a lot of excitement about the two. Straight away, Beal flashed his offense, Scoring 13.9 points per game in his rookie campaign. The 23-year-old shooting guard has not scored fewer than 15 per game since.
"“[Beal] posted career marks for 3-point rate despite still stubbornly opting for the pump-fake-two-dribble-mid-range-pull-up shot so often. He posted a career-high mark in true shooting percentage. He has more capability than he’s shown as a rebounder and playmaker, and if he gets in a rhythm, is the kind of scorer who can take over a game; that’s an elite skill that can change contests on its own,” CBS Sports’ Matt Moore said."
That’s all true and that’s what makes his lack of true development so frustrating. With injuries hampering his progression, Beal has only just seen his points return to the heights he hit in his sophomore year and his rebounds and assists are dropping. Heck, even his free-throw percentage has fallen.
Part of why this is the case is his relationship with Wall on the court and off it. Despite forming what could be an elite back-court with three-point daggers, outstanding passing, and great athleticism, the duo just haven’t truly gelled.
"“I think a lot of times we have a tendency to dislike each other on the court. We got to be able to put that to the side,” Wall said in an interview with CSN Mid-Atlantic. “It’s tough because we’re both alphas. It’s always tough when you have two guys who firmly believe in themselves, who will bet on themselves against anybody else, who want to be that guy. We both can be that guy,” Beal commented."
It’s hard to argue with Wall, who is one of the best points in the league being the alpha guy. It is good that Beal has such confidence in his game. However, it is worth considering whether he is at that level yet. Then again, could Wall be hindering Beal’s development? Indeed, Jesus Gomez of SBNation suggests that Wall will need to make sacrifices for Beal to become a star. This is on Beal too. He has to do more. Not just to glue better with the franchise point guard, but also to earn his place and perform so well as to deserve Wall’s sacrifice.
The Wizards clearly believe in Beal and they showed it by giving him a five-year, $128 million contract. That is the biggest deal in franchise history and Beal really has to up his game to deserve it. If he continues to put up stats like 17 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3 assists, he will fall short of the expectations put upon him when this deal was offered.
Beal needs to stay healthy and to continue his development. He is a player that is easily capable of putting up 20 points per game and reaching 5 rebounds and assists shouldn’t be out of reach if he does continue to grow. It is worth remembering that Beal is only 23 and has plenty of time to reach that potential. However, with such a massive deal and Wall likely growing frustrated, the pressure is on Beal to prove himself straight away. That makes ‘Real Deal’ Beal a player to watch because the entire dynamic of the team will depend on him.
As stated, Beal has the potential to become a star, but he will have to prove himself sooner rather than later.