You would never know when Elfrid Payton makes a big play. That stoicism was the trademark of his rookie year, even as he tore through the league.

Elfrid Payton did a lot of impressive things his rookie year. There was a lot of legitimate frustration that Payton finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. He came in and put up some incredible numbers on a 25-win team with virtually no shooters, as a player who could not shoot himself.

What was more impressive was his composure and attitude.

Payton rarely thumped his chest — minus a stare down after dunking all over the Bulls — and rarely talked about his own accomplishments, of which there were many his rookie season. His humility stood out off the floor.

That even-keeled nature also stood out on the floor in the ways described above. He did not play like a rookie. And, by the end of the year, he was not viewed as one either.

“He’s a very humble kid,” coach James Borrego said. “I admire him for that. The humility that he plays with, the passion that he plays with. His teammates feel that. He’s a very competitive kid. He doesn’t get too high, too low. He stays in the moment and he’s about winning. He’s the most happy guy, but he keeps his poise and he keeps his strength about him throughout the whole 48 minutes and in the locker room.”

All this is incredible to hear coming from a player who played his first 82 games of NBA basketball. This kind of poise is not expected from someone so new to this level of play.