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I was one of his biggest fans on the board. He started getting **** on lately because of his bad defense (which is true, it's been slipping, but our team defense is a mess.) But the guy, in the right system, can be a disruptive defender if he gets back to his rookie/2nd year advanced stats there. I don't know if the Suns are going to be in that position and if you plan on re-signing him, but I guess we'll see.

Pros:

1. Great in transition. Likes to hit anybody that's running or going the the rim for an oop.

2. Can get to the basket at will. He's at 52% for the season and finishes 2nd (or did?) among guards, and is very effective driving and finishing.

3. His shot isn't broken, but he doesn't have faith in it. I actually felt comfortable with him taking shots this year, but the volume still isn't really there. Shoots 37% on threes on not many attempts.

4. He's a pretty low turnover guy, or at least, his turnovers usually happen when he's wanting to do something that isn't stupid. His turnovers, for the most part, make sense.

5. He just has great overall vision. I wished that the Magic would put the ball in his hands more, because he usually gets people in their spots.

Cons

1. The hair. At least the flap, needs to cut it.

2. Free throw shooting. Still needs to get that higher.

3. Defense. He's actually good at switching onto bigger players and plays them well, but he dies on good screens and often floats around. Like if he doesn't think the player is a good shooter he'll wander and double and then just sort of get lost. He never used to do this much until recently, which is strange.

4. Aggression. People in Orlando chalked it up to "effort" or "passion", but I think that's kinda bull. He's lowkey a very firey person. He simply likes getting other people involved and in general probably didn't see himself as the scorer the Magic needed him to be at times. I do wish he will realize how good he is at getting at the basket though, because he can punish certain defenses really easy when he does become assertive like that.

He's a good kid. I hope he flourishes there. If you guys have any other questions, let me know and I can try to answer them!

I thought we had legitimate interest in Elfrid in the 2014 draft. Not surprised we made a move for him. He's played well against us, FWIW.

Excited to see how he finishes the year for us!

This dude was a triple double machine for me in fantasy at the end of last season lol

I'm absolutely fine with taking a chance on him and seeing if he can gel with our young core. If he doesn't, oh well, its only a 2nd round pick.

I'm now a Suns fan.

CajunBall wrote:I'm now a Suns fan.

Welcome! We're fun in the abstract and we lose a lot!

Ride the wave!

CajunBall wrote:I'm now a Suns fan.

We are the first team in NBA history to earn a fan after 48 point loss.

CajunBall wrote:I'm now a Suns fan.

Welcome.

I'm sorry, but welcome.

I like it as a value deal but we have a lot of players who don't want to shoot 3s.

Golanator wrote:

CajunBall wrote:I'm now a Suns fan.

Welcome.

I'm sorry, but welcome.

Give it time. It gets old quick.

Blue_and_Whte wrote:

Golanator wrote:

CajunBall wrote:I'm now a Suns fan.

Welcome.

I'm sorry, but welcome.

Give it time. It gets old quick.

What gets old quick?

CajunBall wrote:I'm now a Suns fan.

Soul - or any other Orlando guys lurking: how much better do you think he makes us right now? Our biggest problem was not having a point guard setting people up, or playing any kind of defense.
It matters becouse of the tight standings in the tank division. Is there any chance we lose out on a top5 pick becouse of him?
You and Sacramento just got worse, we got better, rest of the bottom dwellers did nothing (meaningful).

Bogyo wrote:Soul - or any other Orlando guys lurking: how much better do you think he makes us right now? Our biggest problem was not having a point guard setting people up, or playing any kind of defense.
It matters becouse of the tight standings in the tank division. Is there any chance we lose out on a top5 pick becouse of him?
You and Sacramento just got worse, we got better, rest of the bottom dwellers did nothing (meaningful).

Eh, it depends. I don't think he's the type that would just change a franchise from a losing one to a winning one, but I don't know what exact needs you guys have. From the Spurs game.. it seems like you guys are like us, and need a lot of things in a lot of areas. I think he would make the offense look more fluid and play with pace and structure, but don't think the defense will get better at all.

Bogyo wrote:Soul - or any other Orlando guys lurking: how much better do you think he makes us right now? Our biggest problem was not having a point guard setting people up, or playing any kind of defense.
It matters becouse of the tight standings in the tank division. Is there any chance we lose out on a top5 pick becouse of him?
You and Sacramento just got worse, we got better, rest of the bottom dwellers did nothing (meaningful).

He's certainly an upgrade to Ullis. But, there's always 'but'. I don't think he makes you instantly better in a real way. I presume you'll have to wait for him to fully develop, maybe a year or two. To reach his full potential, of course.

SOUL wrote:

Bogyo wrote:Soul - or any other Orlando guys lurking: how much better do you think he makes us right now? Our biggest problem was not having a point guard setting people up, or playing any kind of defense.
It matters becouse of the tight standings in the tank division. Is there any chance we lose out on a top5 pick becouse of him?
You and Sacramento just got worse, we got better, rest of the bottom dwellers did nothing (meaningful).

Eh, it depends. I don't think he's the type that would just change a franchise from a losing one to a winning one, but I don't know what exact needs you guys have. From the Spurs game.. it seems like you guys are like us, and need a lot of things in a lot of areas. I think he would make the offense look more fluid and place with pace and structure, but don't think the defense will get better at all.

Thanks. The spurs game was an absolute disaster, plus we are injured left and right.
We do have Booker as a shooter and secondary playmaker, TJ is a really good cutter, JJ is getting there as well. Tyson and Chriss can catch some lobs, so a good passing PG should have at least these guys to work with. Defense can only get better as Elfrid is not 5'8 like the rest of our (injured) PGs.

SOUL wrote:

Bogyo wrote:Soul - or any other Orlando guys lurking: how much better do you think he makes us right now? Our biggest problem was not having a point guard setting people up, or playing any kind of defense.
It matters becouse of the tight standings in the tank division. Is there any chance we lose out on a top5 pick becouse of him?
You and Sacramento just got worse, we got better, rest of the bottom dwellers did nothing (meaningful).

Eh, it depends. I don't think he's the type that would just change a franchise from a losing one to a winning one, but I don't know what exact needs you guys have. From the Spurs game.. it seems like you guys are like us, and need a lot of things in a lot of areas. I think he would make the offense look more fluid and place with pace and structure, but don't think the defense will get better at all.

Thanks for the knowledge. Good Stuff

The way I see - the Suns are pretty bad obviously so if Payton shows enough so that is a backup PG next year - but better than Canaan Ulis, James, etc (I get the bar is low) - that's good for the Suns. Of course, want to make the starting 5 better but sometimes you have to make the 6-10 better (look at Houston, there moves for the bench: Gordon, Mbah Moute, Green, Tucker, Nene) also is needed by the Suns.

Just to add to what SOUL said, I caution your expectation for Payton. I hope he proves me wrong because he might actually be a great compliment player to Booker. Yes he is a good kid but not a great NBA player. He still cant shoot consistently and has little confidence in himself. When he misses alot of shots or gets blocked he gets down on himself and it affects his shooting and defense. His play on the court is really affected by his emotions. EP is an emotional guy.

The hair....yes we know. Prety sure 99% of the fanbase has been wanting to get rid of that dead animal on his head for a while now. And yes it does affect his shot. I stopped caring a while ago and knew was not going to be with us next season.

With all that said, I wish him well. I hope he finds success in Phoenix and helps you win some games. Mostly because I want PHX out of the tank race and you guys are our biggest threat for Trae Young lol.

How's his attitude and in the locker room? By all measures, Chriss is also a "good kid" but his attitude absolutely stinks on the court so I just want to know how EP is on the court. I can't stand a crappy attitude when your talent doesn't give you any leeway

lilfishi22 wrote:How's his attitude and in the locker room? By all measures, Chriss is also a "good kid" but his attitude absolutely stinks on the court so I just want to know how EP is on the court. I can't stand a crappy attitude when your talent doesn't give you any leeway

Seemed to be liked by everybody and I guess pretty normal attitude. He's pretty laidback in general but can get firey and emotive against certain players. I know him and Westbrook and him and Curry got into small scrums before, but he's not somebody you would need to worry about having a bad attitude on a Chriss level lol.