I don't think Payne needs to be consistent in the paint if you mean by that back to basket game. I think he'd be way more efficient if he swarmed the 3 point line, played pick and pop and created from the elbow. To play like this he's obvi got to improve his handle. But big men usually learn way longer, especially one with a learning disorder who's made his biggest improvements at ages 21 and 22.
He's converting around 70% close to the basket. His verticality will allow him to get his hand on misses just as good as Favors does it. He's got a good instincts when to go after the ball, often catches them at the apex of his jump.
I don't like his hook going to the middle, but his drop step and spin is okayish. His good shooting touch allows him to fade baseline and hit turnaround Js. But I'd rather use him as a pure stretch.
If you have a senior who's 1 year older due to an extra year in highschool who's in the mix for most improved player, that's a good thing right?
He improved his decision making and takes better care of the ball.
He'll need a very sensitive/experienced assistant coach who works with him on understanding the game, spends a lot of hours in the filmroom explaining him team concepts so he understands them and is able to execute them properly. That will both improve his defense and decision making on offense.
yeah that finger roll is polished and NBA ready... here it is vs defensive dynamo Jabari Parker
You can see in this gif how he doesn't have the tremendous handles that allow him to feast. He dribbles it very loose in transition when he's alone.
Rodney Hood didn't bother his drive at all and his lack of handles allowed him granpa style acceleration. With his athleticism he should dunk the ball in this situation, but lack of speed and control doesn't allow him to get air below his feet properly.
