Elfrid Payton wasn’t supposed to be a significant difference maker this season for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Upon signing a one-year deal for an even $3 million last July, Payton was not penciled in to be the team’s starting point guard. Yet when Rajon Rondo flew the coop unexpectedly to Los Angeles a day later, head coach Alvin Gentry had no choice but to turn to a talented but oft-considered below average player in the league.
After spending three and a half years in Orlando with the Magic and a quick 19-game pit stop with the Phoenix Suns, critics had passed judgement on the 24-year-old: he can’t shoot, is a woeful defender and shouldn’t be entrusted with floor general duties on a good team.