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Sports InsiderGoodbye, Gary Payton?
November 18th 2007 11:04
There are many talented unsigned players floating on the NBA sidelines right now. Names like Anderson Varejao and Chris Webber are two ballers that haven’t been signed. However, there is one player that trumps them all in what he has achieved in his career, and the accolades garnered: Gary Payton is the man we’re alluding to.
Although, GP hasn’t officially announced his retirement from the game yet, for all intents and purposes, Payton has called it a day. The man is happy hanging with his wife and kids, whilst enjoying the perks that comes with having a storied career. Better yet, he doesn’t have to deal with the travel, training, egotistical teammates and demanding coaches. What’s not to love, after grinding it out for 17 years?
So, let us celebrate the player formerly known as ‘The Glove’!
Gary Payton has been one of those players that has been vastly underrated and
underappreciated. The man was an absolute basketball playing god, but was stuck playing his best ball in Seattle. GP himself doesn’t regret playing there because he has called it the greatest city to ball in. It is regretful for the rest of the public due to the fact that most casual fans were denied seeing one of the greatest point guards operating like Shaft.
Many players have had righteous reputations for their ability to trash talk, with Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan, amongst the list of the biggest yaps in NBA history. However, Payton is arguably the greatest of them all. Gary would talk non-stop to the point that the ears of opponents and teammates would be close to bleeding.
Former, teammate of Payton, Michael Cage once remarked that GP’s trash talk was so overwhelming that: “When you're done, you just want to go find a library or something, someplace totally silent.” (Adande, ESPN.com, 2007)
How cool is that?
Or, you could just ask Kobe Bryant what it was like matching up against, GP back in the day, because the man would get street on him.
However, you’d be sorely mistaken in thinking that the man was more mouth, than talent. Gary has got to be one of the last players of his type in that he could do it on both ends during his heyday. Want to know how good he really was? Payton ranks 21st in all time points, sixth in assists and third in steals. ‘The Glove’ wasn’t just a cool moniker, it was a way of life for him on the basketball court.
“I don't think we play basketball the same as when we started. It's a lot of young guys. Basketball has turned into an offensive-minded situation. They don't play on both ends. They don't play defence. When I was playing, it was me playing both ends of the floor, playing offence, playing defence and I gave the ball up with assists. It wasn't like me doing one thing, scoring 25 and having three assists and one steal. I was guarding the best player and getting 25 and having eight assists, and three-four steals…I haven't seen a guy like that yet. Bruce Bowen is capable [defensively] but he's not the offensive threat, the go-to guy.” (Adande, ESPN.com, 2007)
GP was not only an exceptional defensive player, but despite his seemingly thin physique, he was deceptively strong often backing down on opposing point guards with ease.
We here at NBALOUD bid one of the greatest point guards a fond farewell, and he shall be sorely missed.
Today’s video subject? Who else could it be, but, GP! Oh, and Shawn Kemp as well. Remember him?
Although, GP hasn’t officially announced his retirement from the game yet, for all intents and purposes, Payton has called it a day. The man is happy hanging with his wife and kids, whilst enjoying the perks that comes with having a storied career. Better yet, he doesn’t have to deal with the travel, training, egotistical teammates and demanding coaches. What’s not to love, after grinding it out for 17 years?
So, let us celebrate the player formerly known as ‘The Glove’!
Gary Payton has been one of those players that has been vastly underrated and
Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp were both monsters for Seattle. (Sam Forencich/NBAE/Getty)
Many players have had righteous reputations for their ability to trash talk, with Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan, amongst the list of the biggest yaps in NBA history. However, Payton is arguably the greatest of them all. Gary would talk non-stop to the point that the ears of opponents and teammates would be close to bleeding.
Former, teammate of Payton, Michael Cage once remarked that GP’s trash talk was so overwhelming that: “When you're done, you just want to go find a library or something, someplace totally silent.” (Adande, ESPN.com, 2007)
How cool is that?
Or, you could just ask Kobe Bryant what it was like matching up against, GP back in the day, because the man would get street on him.
However, you’d be sorely mistaken in thinking that the man was more mouth, than talent. Gary has got to be one of the last players of his type in that he could do it on both ends during his heyday. Want to know how good he really was? Payton ranks 21st in all time points, sixth in assists and third in steals. ‘The Glove’ wasn’t just a cool moniker, it was a way of life for him on the basketball court.
“I don't think we play basketball the same as when we started. It's a lot of young guys. Basketball has turned into an offensive-minded situation. They don't play on both ends. They don't play defence. When I was playing, it was me playing both ends of the floor, playing offence, playing defence and I gave the ball up with assists. It wasn't like me doing one thing, scoring 25 and having three assists and one steal. I was guarding the best player and getting 25 and having eight assists, and three-four steals…I haven't seen a guy like that yet. Bruce Bowen is capable [defensively] but he's not the offensive threat, the go-to guy.” (Adande, ESPN.com, 2007)
GP was not only an exceptional defensive player, but despite his seemingly thin physique, he was deceptively strong often backing down on opposing point guards with ease.
We here at NBALOUD bid one of the greatest point guards a fond farewell, and he shall be sorely missed.
Today’s video subject? Who else could it be, but, GP! Oh, and Shawn Kemp as well. Remember him?
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