Orlando Pinstriped Post Aug 10, 2017
The Magic’s bench is flawed, but dramatically improved
Despite an overall lack of shooting, the bench should benefit just by replacing some of the worst reserve players in the league. When infrequent Magic watchers discuss Orlando’s misfortunes, they often focus on the young players on the team. Is Elfrid Payton the Magic’s answer at point guard? Why aren’t they playing Aaron Gordon at power forward? Should Evan Fournier be more than a third or fourth option, at best? No doubt, these are among the most important questions the franchise needs to address, but these players don’t fully explain why things went so wrong last season. Sure,...
Magic BasketBlog | Orlando Sentinel Aug 3, 2017
Magic Mailbag: Elfrid Payton is Orlando's key player to watch
Interacting with readers is one of the best perks of my job. You offer story ideas I haven’t thought of. You prompt me to refine my opinions. And most of all, I’m thankful that you’re reading and I’m thankful that you care about what my Orlando Sentinel colleagues and I write. So let’s expand the...
Orlando Pinstriped Post Jul 27, 2017
NBA free agency 2017: Arron Afflalo picks no. 4 for Orlando Magic
The veteran swingman has selected a familiar number. When Arron Afflalo suits up for the Orlando Magic in his second stint with the team—he signed a new deal Thursday, after bouncing around four teams in three seasons since leaving Orlando the first time—he’ll do so wearing a familiar uniform number. The Magic announced Thursday Afflalo has selected uniform no. 4, which he wore for the club in 2012/13 and 2013/14. Fortunately for Afflalo, Elfrid Payton gave up that number to switch to no. 2, which he wore in college. Afflalo is arguably the best Magic player to ever wear no. 4,...
Orlando Pinstriped Post Jul 19, 2017
Elfrid Payton to change Orlando Magic jersey number
The point guard is switching from 4 to 2, the team said. The Orlando Magic on Wednesday announced that Elfrid Payton will switch uniform numbers for the 2017/18 season. Payton has elected to wear no. 2, his uniform number at Louisiana-Lafayette; he had worn no. 4 with Orlando since opening his NBA career in the 2014/15 season. Payton’s new number was in use during his first two season, with the since-departed Kyle O’Quinn laying claim to it. O’Quinn may indeed be the most notable player in franchise history to rock no. 2: other Magic men with that number include Jaren Jackson, DeShawn...
