Fansided

Elfrid Payton finally cut his crazy hair

By Philip Rossman-Reich

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 26: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on February 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 26: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on February 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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One of the NBA’s most unique — and perhaps most intrusive — hairstyles is gone. Elfrid Payton cut his hair, perhaps finally giving him clear vision.

Watching Elfrid Payton play is to be hypnotized.

Not by the rhythmic bouncing of the ball or the way he lulls you to sleep before exploding to the basket. No, what always gets you is the bounce of his hair.

The long mane, a growth Payton had not cut since his junior year in high school when he and his teammates made a pact to grow it out until they won a state championship (they did not), protruded over his brow. And as he ran up and down the court, it bounced and bobbed seemingly at the same pace as his bounce.

It was hard not to notice. Especially when Payton shot… for Payton.

That hair though is no more. After rumors of Payton getting his hair cut surfaced with a barber holding two black bulks of hair emerged, Payton finally surfaced with a fresh cut and a clear vision of the hoop.

https://twitter.com/NBA_Reddit/status/997482988337278976

That seems a whole lot better. Or at least a lot easier to see.

Payton is not the best shooter and never has been. Last year with the Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns, he averaged a career-best 12.7 points per game and 6.2 assists per game. Despite his hair growing more and perhaps impeding his shot, Payton shot a career-best 49.3 percent field goal percentage and 32.3 percent 3-point percentage. His shooting has gradually improved.

But the hair was always Payton’s most distinguishing and prominent piece of discussion. Especially when videos surfaced continually questioning whether his hair was preventing him from getting his shot off cleanly.

It was easy to see clips of his hair impeding his vision as he attacked the basket.

That problem may be no more for Payton.

The haircut comes at a career crossroads for Payton. He plateaued in three years with Orlando, leading the team to ship him off to Phoenix for what became the 41st overall pick in the upcoming draft. He started for the Suns but still struggled to push his team higher.

Then again, Phoenix was probably trying to lose games. The Suns ended up with the worst record in the league and won the top overall pick in the draft.

Payton will be a restricted free agent this summer and his market is not particularly clear.

With the hair question out of the way, perhaps he can convince teams he is a new player and his shooting percentages will jump without his hair in the way. Only time will tell.

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But one of the NBA’s best and most unique haircuts is no more. Even if it hurt him as a player.

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