Tracking the Draft Stock of Louisiana's Elfrid Payton

[zephyr]

Many, many basketball fans only see that he did not shoot well; they fail to see that the rest of his game is so vastly superior to anyone else in this conference that his lack of shooting prowess becomes inconsequential.

Among players I have seen at UL, I consider only Andrew Toney to be a more complete player. I have been saying for two years now that he is the best point guard ever to play here.

There is a reason that Marcus Smart was not the starting point guard on the USA U-19 World Championship team. That reason is that Elfrid is just better than Smart at their shared position. Smart is bigger, a better shooter, and will be drafted higher because he played in the Big XII, and is a very good player in all other aspects of his game.

Elfrid was the best perimeter defender in the U-19 World Championship tournament, and offensively he created scoring opportunities for himself and for the other 4 players on the court with him.

His lack of shooting prowess does not become inconsequential at the professional level though. And that is the area he has to improve on if he wants to go beyond just being drafted.

[raginsaints]

Many, many basketball fans only see that he did not shoot well; they fail to see that the rest of his game is so vastly superior to anyone else in this conference that his lack of shooting prowess becomes inconsequential.

Among players I have seen at UL, I consider only Andrew Toney to be a more complete player. I have been saying for two years now that he is the best point guard ever to play here.

There is a reason that Marcus Smart was not the starting point guard on the USA U-19 World Championship team. That reason is that Elfrid is just better than Smart at their shared position. Smart is bigger, a better shooter, and will be drafted higher because he played in the Big XII, and is a very good player in all other aspects of his game.

Elfrid was the best perimeter defender in the U-19 World Championship tournament, and offensively he created scoring opportunities for himself and for the other 4 players on the court with him.

IIRC, Smart did start at the point and Elfrid started at the 2.

[MiamiCajun32]

Andrew Toney would have been hall of famer had his career not been cut short by injury. Bird and Barkley continue to say he was the best player they have ever seen in clutch time late in game (hard to believe, considering Jordan).

[SlickRick]

I heard Barkley say that umpteen times but never Bird. Would love to read that about Bird if you have a link.

[MiamiCajun32]

I heard Barkley say that umpteen times but never Bird. Would love to read that about Bird if you have a link.

Here you go -

http://www.thedraftreview.com/index....k=view&id=2918


Larry Bird once said "Do I remember Andrew Toney? The Boston Strangler? Yeah, I remember him. I wish we would've had him. He was a killer. We called him the Boston Strangler because every time he got a hold of the ball we knew he was going to score. He was the absolute best I've ever seen at shooting the ball at crucial times. We had nobody who could come close to stopping him. Nobody."

[MiamiCajun32]

Here you go -

http://www.thedraftreview.com/index....k=view&id=2918


Larry Bird once said "Do I remember Andrew Toney? The Boston Strangler? Yeah, I remember him. I wish we would've had him. He was a killer. We called him the Boston Strangler because every time he got a hold of the ball we knew he was going to score. He was the absolute best I've ever seen at shooting the ball at crucial times. We had nobody who could come close to stopping him. Nobody."

Current Miami Heat general manager Pat Riley once said, "He's the greatest clutch player I've ever seen. The hell with Jerry West!"

[DaddyCajun]

Geaux Payton! I hope he becomes a lottery pick!

[Billiards]

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Louisiana's Elfrid Payton seems to have steadily climbed draft boards recently, but that's done nothing to diminish the chip on his shoulder. Every workout is a chance for the mid-major point guard to prove himself and he seemed particularly focused on Friday's session with the Boston Celtics.

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[JamesTheJeweler]

Seems we here at ragin pagin would be giving Elfrid Payton more love and attention. The guy may end up being the highest pick in the nba draft by a cajun! Good luck Elfrid! GEAUX CAJUNS!!!

[BeauCajun]

The guy may end up being the highest pick in the nba draft by a cajun! Good luck Elfrid! GEAUX CAJUNS!!!

His stock will have to go A LOT higher for that to happen.

[JamesTheJeweler]

Still, with that said, seems he'd be getting more love here.

[SlappyCajun]

His stock will have to go A LOT higher for that to happen.

Toney got drafted at 8. ESPN's draft expert Chad Ford said Elfrid will be drafted between 7 and 20.

I don't believe he will beat Toney. But, I do believe he will beat Kevin Brooks.