NBA Rookie Rankings Sheridan Hoops Will Elfrid Payton wreck the Ferrari?

This is the third season of Rookie Rankings at SheridanHoops. In each of the first two seasons, a highly trusting coach has given a point guard the keys to the Ferrari and these instructions:

“Try not to wreck the thing, OK, kid?”

Two years ago, it was Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, who became the first rookie to lead the NBA in minutes played since Elvin Hayes in 1970. Last year, it was Michael Carter-Williams of the ~~tanking~~ rebuilding Philadelphia 76ers, who became the first to lead all rookies in scoring, rebounding and assists since Alvan Adams in 1976.

Lillard and Carter-Williams had explicit permission to learn on the job. Both their teams opened the position for the incoming lottery pick and were willing to deal with the growing pains that come with mastering the game’s toughest position.

This season, another rookie point guard is hoping to follow a similar path: Elfrid Payton of the Orlando Magic.

Payton was taken 10th overall by the 76ers and swapped to the Magic for No. 12 pick Dario Saric. Orlando, which has been in rebuilding mode ever since dealing Dwight Howard, cleared the decks for Payton by turning loose veteran Jameer Nelson, a well-liked player who had spent his first 10 years in Disneyworld.

GM Rob Hennigan did bring in veteran Luke Ridnour as insurance, and 2013 lottery pick Victor Oladipo – currently out with a knee injury – spent a fair chunk of his rookie season running the offense. But the vision is clear: Payton is the point guard and would have to wreck the Ferrari to have the keys taken away.

“It’s kind of an honor that they trust me enough to play those minutes and do those things,” the 20-year-old Payton said before Wednesday’s win at New York. “It’s just up to me to seize the opportunity and run the team.”

In limited viewing thus far, here’s what I like about Payton: At 6-4 and 185 pounds, he has a good combination of length and quickness at the position to be a disruptive defender, which he has been at times. His inclination is to pass first, which is evidenced by his 8.0 assists per 36 minutes and fits well with the scorers around him in Orlando.

Here is what I don’t like about Payton: He couldn’t shoot a nail gun. He is under 34 percent overall and has attempted just one 3-pointer and has made just 50 percent of his free throws. He often isn’t squared to the rim when he shoots, which means his form may have to be deconstructed – and perhaps get worse – before it gets better.

Payton’s poor shooting already is costing him minutes. In Tuesday’s loss at Toronto and Wednesday’s win at New York, he played less than half the game and sat the entire fourth quarter as Ridnour ran the show. If he wants to stay on the floor, he has to be able to keep defenses somewhat honest.

When asked about his goals in his first NBA season, Payton said, “Obviously I’d like to make the playoffs. Individually, I’d like to win Rookie of the Year. But just overall, getting better each and every game, helping this team as much as possible, whatever it may be.”

He probably doesn’t have a shot at the first two. He needs a shot to reach the third.

On to the rankings.

1. JABARI PARKER, F, MILWAUKEE: Just about everyone’s preseason pick currently tops all rookies in minutes (28.8), points (10.9) and rebounds (5.9) per game and also leads with two double-doubles. But be honest: Given the opportunity you knew Parker would get in Milwaukee, weren’t you expecting a little bit more?

2. NERLENS NOEL, F-C, PHILADELPHIA: He was my preseason pick as I figured he had a better chance of being Blake Griffin than Greg Oden. Noel leads all rookies in blocks (1.8) and steals (1.6), and also rebounds well (5.6). But he can only go left, which opponents already have figured out.

3. ANDREW WIGGINS, F, MINNESOTA: One of just three rookies scoring in double digits (10.0 ppg) and should look to shoot more 3-pointers to open up his game a bit. Nitpickers looking to criticize his game should keep in mind that the teenager already has buried six-year veteran Chase Budinger on the bench.

4. BOJAN BOGDANOVIC, F, BROOKLYN: GM Billy King looks like he knew what he was doing when he let Paul Pierce walk this summer. Immediately inserted as a starter, the Croatian sharpshooter (36 percent on threes) has had no trouble scoring (10.6 ppg) and helps spread the floor for an often stationary group.

5. K.J. MCDANIELS, F, PHILADELPHIA: He actually leads all rookies in 3-point shooting (8-of-19, .421) and is averaging 9.3 points, not bad when you consider he doesn’t start. His defensive energy and athleticism is captivating and one of the only things worth watching on this horrifying team.

6. KOSTAS PAPANIKOLAOU, F, HOUSTON: He has wonderful offensive instincts and is actually second on the Rockets with 3.3 assists per game. If his funky looking shot comes around, watch out. Kevin McHale already trusts him more than Donatas Motiejunas. Why? Better scoring, better passing, Papanikolaou.

7. ELFRID PAYTON, G, ORLANDO: Here’s a fun fact. Payton’s father – also Elfrid – is one of the greatest players in CFL history. A defensive end, he played 13 seasons and is second all-time with 154 sacks. The seven-time All-Star won two Grey Cups and Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2002.

8. MARCUS SMART, G, BOSTON: On first blush, he looks indestructible as a point guard. But we know that’s not true because he’s currently sidelined with an ankle sprain and bone bruise. His defensive disposition is fantastic and he oozes confidence, even if his shooting (.306) doesn’t reflect it.

9. SHABAZZ NAPIER, G, MIAMI: With all due respect to LeBron James, Napier is not the best point guard in this draft. Not yet, anyway. However, he deserves some props for averaging 20 minutes per game on a team with not one but two point guards with championship pedigree.

10. DOUG MCDERMOTT, F, CHICAGO: For the final slot, we went with McBuckets over Dante Exum, whose minutes were almost guaranteed by Utah’s rebuilding project. McDermott plays for a coach who likes rookies as much as dentist visits and is second among newbies in shooting at 51.6 percent.