Orlando Sentinel · Dec 3, 2015
Elfrid Payton looks to keep his energy up
Magic guard Elfrid Payton is providing a spark at point guard. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel) (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel) SALT LAKE CITY — In a basketball context, "energy" is a vague word. It doesn't mean playing hard as much as it means playing with sustained, properly focused intensity.
When Elfrid Payton hears that the Orlando Magic need him to provide energy, he thinks of pressuring opposing ball-handlers, being a pest on defense and pushing the ball upcourt fast in transition. It also means helping his team's big men box out for rebounds and closing out aggressively on perimeter shooters.
"It's not taking plays off," Payton said.