By Josh Cohen
Sept. 17, 2015
Only 17 percent of Elfrid Payton’s shot attempts came without a dribble, which isn’t much of a surprise considering he is more of a playmaker and facilitator and is still improving his jump shot. He shot 49 percent, though, on two-point attempts when no dibble preceded the shot. In the play featured below, Tobias Harris gets denied on his dribble-drive attempt on Michael Carter-Williams. However, with the help of a solid Dewayne Dedmon screen, Payton is left open for the 3-pointer in the corner. WATCH:
An even more surprising stat was that only 6.7 percent of Payton’s shot attempts came after he took one dribble to the basket. Similar to when he didn’t dribble at all before a shot attempt, Payton shot 49 percent from the field in these rare cases. In the play featured below, Payton outmuscles Kyle Korver for a rebound and then finds just enough breathing room to take one dribble and score on a reverse before DeMarre Carroll can block his shot. WATCH:
It’s infrequent that players take two dribbles before a shot. On drives, they usually need at least three to maneuver to the rim or on jumpers they may take one dribble to create space. Payton actually has a unique ability to glide to the basket on two dribbles (shot 46 percent in these scoring situations). In the play featured below, Payton notices that Tim Duncan is hesitant to fully leave Nikola Vucevic on the perimeter because of his ability to knock down a jump shot. As a result, the lane is wide open. Payton pays attention and just before Duncan can slide over he floats up the shot. WATCH:
Payton has some of the most interesting movements in the NBA. He is very herky-jerky and alters his speed constantly. In the play featured below, Payton recognizes that the undersized Chase Budinger is guarding Dewayne Dedmon, who attempts to set a pick for him. With Dedmon and Vucevic hanging out near the perimeter, there is no shot blocker for Minnesota inside. Payton takes advantage and with three dribbles slams it home. WATCH:
Payton isn’t super explosive. However, he has quick-moving legs and his high basketball IQ allows him to make intelligent movements with the ball. In the play featured below, Payton sees Kyle Lowry approach him and without any hesitation drives past him. He uses four dribbles to coast along the baseline and finish over Tyler Hansbrough. WATCH: