Five Most Bust Likely NBA Draft Prospects
By Joe Nardone
Elfrid Payton — LA-Lafayette
Mar 21, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Louisiana Lafayette Ragin Cajuns guard Elfrid Payton (2) pulls down a rebound against the Creighton Bluejays in the second half of a men NBA Draft
Elfrid Payton has become the apple of everyone’s eye. Well, the apple of their eye if they are trying to pretend they are smart. Until Chad Ford moved him into the lottery in one of his recent mocks, most people didn’t even know who he was. Yet, the Louisiana Lafayette guard has climbed in every single person’s mock draft.
Taking away the insanity of people moving them up their mocks solely based off of someone else’s, Payton has some glaring holes in his game. None bigger than his inability to hit jump shots. In fact, Payton shot under 30 percent last season on non-moving jumpers. Meaning, even when he didn’t have to shoot on the move Payton struggled to get buckets.
A lot of comparisons to Rajon Rondo are being made. While I don’t agree with that to the extent of others I do get that they are both athletic marvels who help put others in a position to succeed. Payton’s problem is that he isn’t even close to being as freakishly athletic as Rondo nor did he play at as a high a collegiate level as him. Other comparisons have ranged from Damian Lillard to Dennis Schröder — so there’s that to, as in no one really knows because only a few honestly saw the kid play.
If it turns out that Payton can’t ever develop at least a competent jumper and that his athletic abilities are a little overrated, well, it could be lights out for his career before he can sign his name on a second contract. It will also expose a lot of people who rely far too much other other’s mocks while trying to talk NBA Draft related topics.