The CamPayne is Folding
So far the Bulls’ young point guard has yet to make a good impression.
The month of March is a magical one for basketball. Stories are being written, Cinderellas are dancing, and NBA teams are amping up their games for the playoffs. Well, unless you are the Chicago Bulls — who continue to try to pull off the same crappy card trick.
The hand has been dealt and, unfortunately for Fred Hoiberg’s team, everything is offsuit. Even after the cards have been shuffled quite a bit recently to try and propel this team forward, things haven’t been great. After acquiring trade centerpiece Cameron Payne, the Bulls were confident that he would be a building block moving forward. So far, it remains to be seen what the young floor general is capable of. The hefty price for Payne’s services, and the fact that Bulls’ management has already held the 22 year-old to such a high regard, immediately puts a target on his back.
Soon after the trade was completed, John Paxson said the following during quite possibly one of the worst press conferences of all-time.
“When Cam came out in the draft, we were very, very high on him. We had some real good discussion about even trying to get him in that draft. We see him as a young guy who will develop and get better.”
Chicago’s goal of trying to remain in contention for a playoff berth as well as develop young talent is easier said than done. After trading Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott, fans are looking for the newcomers to produce similar results. That won’t happen. Especially since Fred Hoiberg refuses to make up his mind about a consistent rotation. The expectations in regards to Cameron Payne are too high — especially right now. The front office is doing a disservice to their players because the disconnect is too great. For a second year player like Payne, he’s looking to get as much playing time as possible and improve. That isn’t going to happen if his immediate impact is negative and you’re trying to make the postseason. They cancel each other out.
Payne’s numbers are anything but impressive. Throughout his young career, he has averaged 5.2 points per game, 1.5 rebounds per game, under 2 assists per game, and has shot 37.9 percent from the field. His continual injury problems have only allowed him to play 86 games total. The sample size is small, but Payne’s physical frame along with history of injury is troublesome, especially considering you gave up a future pick and two serviceable players.
Since the Bulls’ point guard rotation is more confusing than converting currency, there hasn’t been much time for the former Murray State Racer to develop a rhythm. He’s been in-and-out of the rotation and is averaging only 15.8 minutes per game. Initially, Payne was thought to be a potential starter as Chicago headed toward the stretch run this season. Since it’s been such a jumbled mess, the unthinkable happened — Rajon Rondo started again. It’s all so entertaining isn’t it?
Whatever happens this season, Payne will be under team control until the 2018–2019 season. There’s a lot of time left for him to develop, but the odds are stacked against him until management chooses a direction. Only time will tell if the Bulls cash in the few chips they have and head home.
