CHARLOTTE – Credit the Orlando Magic’s switch to more of a small-ball, pace-and-space style of play for Elfrid Payton’s triple-doubles in the past two games if you must, but that doesn’t fully explain the assertiveness and driving will that the point guard has displayed of late.
Magic coach Frank Vogel and Payton agree that the reason behind the explosion in triple-doubles this season across the NBA – there have been a league record 82 of them already – is the sweeping movement to a faster, more-spread-out style.
While the Magic’s shift to that philosophy certainly can account for some of the rise in Payton’s production, it can’t fully explain how the do-everything point guard breathed life into a sleepy Wednesday night game and dominated virtually every phase of the action with a noticeable will that inspired his Magic teammates.