How about a little love for Elfrid?
He came out fired up, and in Derrick's absence, tallied a 20 points and a +17 in 35 minutes
He was 7-14 from the field, 1-2 from trey, 5-6 from the FT line, with 6 boards, 4 assists, 4 steals and a block.
True, every time he hits an open three, an angel gets its wings.
But as per Julius and his evolution under Thibs, a coach who trusts and stands by him, Payton's FT% is up to .743%, which represents a career high, and significant statistical improvement given his forays into the paint.
He has responded to fan derision, and competition from Rose, Quickley, Ntililkina and Rivers by raising his game.
Worth repeating: RJ has also been working to raise his game, and as his north/south downhill game, defense and facilitation has gotten nothing but better, his shooting has become less wince-inducing.
16.5 ppg
6.0 boards
2.9 assists
.730% FT [103-141]