https://youtu.be/YPHG82b9LxA
The Bubble last season literally saved Cameron Payne’s career. I can literally type those words and not be exaggerating or lying (not that I would ever exaggerate or lie in my video descriptions). In those eight games, Payne averaged ten PPG per game and played a significant role in the Suns going 8-0 in that span (while still missing the playoffs). That was after not having been on a roster for the entirety of the pre-pandemic 2020-21 season. If the Suns had signed Payne and then he failed to perform, I’m fairly certain that his NBA career would have been over right then and there.
But Payne did perform, and not only did he perform, but he CONTINUES to perform even when he’s not playing for his NBA life. That wasn’t just an eight-game streak of randomness that any player could stumble into. That was an eight-game streak of improved play that has continued into this season. I never thought that Payne would be this good after his early-career struggles, but that just shows how impatient and callous I can be when evaluating young NBA players. But it wasn’t just me: remember when the Bulls’ coaching staff saw Payne in practice and immediately declared him to not be an NBA-caliber talent? If trained professionals are making that judgment, who am I to disagree? I am neither trained nor a professional. I’m just some dude with a YouTube channel.
The only sad thing about Payne being this good is that he has basically eliminated E’Twaun Moore from the rotation. I love Moore but he sucks now, and the Suns having a younger and more viable PG/SG in Cameron Payne means that Moore hasn’t gotten a chance to play himself back into a rhythm. This fact causes me significant amounts of pain. One could even say, it causes me…PAYNE! YEAAAAAAHHHHHH