Cam Payne, backup point guard, was a key role player in the Western Conference finals. Despite some impressive performances by unheralded players throughout the series. His playoff performance is even more impressive because of the journey he took to get there.Payne was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015. Payne was drafted in 2015 by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He then moved to Chicago, Cleveland, and Toronto. An anonymous source informed a Bulls writer, that Payne was traded to the Chicago Bulls by the Chicago Bulls. He told the Bulls writer that they knew from the second practice that he could not play at the NBA level. Payne also spent time in China, the G League, and in the NBA. If he hadn't returned to the NBA, he would have traveled a long and interesting road.The Phoenix Suns signed him, before he returned to Orlando last summer. Paynes' first games in the NBA were in January 2019. He shot 51.7 percent from the deep, his best shooting percentage since he had never seen 40 percent. Although the Suns went 8-0, they did not qualify for the playoffs. It wasn't all lost. Phoenix had found Payne and has not left the rotation since.Payne was joined by Chris Paul, the usual starter in the leagues COVID-19 safety and health protocols to begin the series against Los Angeles Clippers. Payne exceeded expectations. Payne was the Suns' star, scoring 29 points and nine assists in both games. He also hit difficult catch-and shoot threes and free throw-line floaters, and he led the Suns to victory. This was the highest Payne ever scored in either the regular season and playoffs.Payne, however, has always exceeded expectations with Phoenix. His offensive game has improved, and he is now considered the best in the league.Cam Payne has had success with Phoenix Team points/chance with Cam Payne as the player. Time frame Pick and roll isolation drive Before 2019-20 0.89 0.85 0.86 Orlando bubble 1.33 1.03 2020-21 regular seasons 1.06 1.13 1.07 Clippers series 1.09 0.90 1.00 Through June 28, 2021 Source: Second SpectrumPayne is a modern point guard who has reinvented his self. Payne thrives in pick and roll, in isolation, and is more than happy creating for himself with pull ups behind the arc and floaters within it. When Devin Booker, scoring phenom, is not available to defend the team, Payne can drive or initiate attack rotations. According to Second Spectrum, Payne was more efficient at attacking closeouts than any other player during regular season. Although he has excelled in many ways on offense since his arrival in Phoenix, none of these skills were acquired during the first half.Phoenix' bottom line has benefited from Paynes transformation. Payne was the Suns' second most offensive contributor in terms of on/off points per 100 possessions. Booker was the only one that had more. He also offered the biggest playoffs contribution. Even without Paul, they've been at their best.Payne replaced Paul Phoenix Suns in 2020-21 season. There has been no drop-off. Source: PBP StatsPayne is now back on the bench, with Paul available again against the Clippers. Payne returned to the bench after injuring his left ankle in the first quarter in Game 3. He was able to return to the Suns' lead in just minutes in Game 4. The Suns outscored Phoenix's opponents in the time Payne was on the court, as has been the case with most playoff games. This has been the foundation of the team's success. Payne ranks fourth in playoff bench player raw plus/minus. The Suns have been crushing opponents when he's on the floor. This is even more impressive when you consider that the player he sends is often either Paul or Booker.Paynes ability as a substitute for an All Star to shepherd Phoenix is probably why FiveThirtyEights' RAPTOR metric, which uses play-by–play, box-scores and tracking data to measure player contributions, ranks Payne as the most efficient Sun over the playoffs. Although there have been subs who lifted their teams when they entered the game in the past, such players are rarely ranked above All-Stars on depth charts. Payne can actually hold his own as an initiator, when compared to Paul and Booker. The Suns scored more efficiently with Payne isolating in the regular season than any All-Stars per Second Spectrum. They also scored more efficiently using Payne's pick and roll handling than Point God Paul.Paynes' success is even more remarkable when you consider that he only started his career in the first act. Ex-players rarely return to the league once the phone stops ringing. Payne did learn to shoot. Before he went overseas, he shot 33.1 percent from the deep end in the NBA. In two games, he shot 28.6 per cent from three with the Shanxi Loongs. In his last G League season, he reached 36.5 percent. This was far from the highs to which Payne rose in Phoenix. Payne's regular season average of 44.0 percent was the 10th highest mark in the league. He was an average shooter who didn't have enough to compensate for his lack of shooting ability before he became the player he is today. His teams were always worse when he was on the floor in Chicago and Oklahoma City.Payne is currently only hitting 29.4 percent for his triples, a significant drop from his 3-point line against Clippers. He is still one of the Suns most valuable players. This is a sign of how much his game has improved. His team is always encouraged when he takes to the court at halftime of each quarter. Payne did not have a memorable individual game in Suns Game 5, but Phoenix won his minutes by four points and was the only player on the roster who finished in the black. This super sub is now capable of playing at a NBA level.Paul's contribution to the Suns turnaround is worthy of praise. Payne joined the Suns at this pivotal time, and they are now just one win away of the Finals and a chance at the franchises first title. Paynes turbulent early career stands in stark contrast to the solidity that he offers his team now during the resurgence.Our latest NBA predictions are available.
