Payton’s Presence is not Enough to Save Phoenix

By Chaz Davis

The profile piece that I will be analyzing in this blog post is written by Dave King for SB Nation. King did an excellent job of using statistics to show that Elfrid Payton, the Suns recent addition from the Orlando Magic, is an incredible passer. Payton averages 8 assists per game, which places him at 10th in the league at this category. He has an assist rate of 39.4%. Elfrid Payton is the best passer on the Suns franchise since Steve Nash, yet the Suns aren’t performing any better. In fact, they have become a little worse. Before his arrival, the Suns were 15th overall in potential assists per game and 25th overall in assists per game. After Payton being on the team for six games, they were ranked at 18th and 26th overall in those same categories.

King went on to express his opinion that Payton is a good point guard, but not a great one. King feels that he gives up as much as he gets. He also thinks Elfrid Payton cannot shoot only limiting him to passing or driving to the basket when he has the ball. These statements may be true, but King fails to back these points up with evidence. He did prove that he was a good passer and has been struggling since traded to Phoenix, but he did not prove that he wasn’t a great point guard or a bad shooter. King definitely could use some more statistics to help prove these points.

The article is then wrapped up with an analysis of what the Suns should do as far as the upcoming draft goes and what each draft scenario would mean for Payton’s future with the Suns. This part is very well thought out and clear. King made it easy for the reader to grasp the different situations that may occur and why the Suns’ franchise would make that decision.