Gary Payton (Part 1)

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11 Mar 2024

Gary Payton (Part 1)

Gary Dwayne Payton, born on July 23, 1968, is an esteemed former professional basketball player renowned for his prowess as a point guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Throughout his illustrious career, Payton solidified his status as one of the greatest point guards in the history of the sport. He is most prominently associated with his remarkable 13-year tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics, where he etched his name in the franchise's annals by setting records in assists and steals. Payton's basketball journey also saw him don the jerseys of the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat, the latter with whom he clinched an NBA championship in 2006.

Nicknamed "the Glove" for his unparalleled defensive abilities, Payton's impact transcended his offensive contributions. His defensive prowess earned him accolades and recognition, culminating in his induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. Payton's defensive acumen was further underscored by his historic feat as the first point guard to clinch the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, a distinction he held exclusively for 39 years until Marcus Smart's recognition in 2022. Notably, Payton's defensive prowess earned him a place on the NBA All-Defensive First Team an unprecedented nine times, a record he shares with basketball luminaries such as Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett, and Kobe Bryant. Additionally, he earned the distinction of being selected to the NBA All-Star team and the All-NBA Team nine times each, a testament to his enduring excellence on the court.

Renowned Basketball Hall of Famer Gail Goodrich aptly described Payton as "probably as complete a guard as there ever was," capturing the essence of Payton's multifaceted skill set and enduring impact on the game of basketball. His contributions to the sport are immortalized not only through his individual accolades but also through his influence on the evolution of the point guard position.

Gary Payton's collegiate journey began at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Initially, he had considered attending The University of Texas at El Paso but ultimately opted for Oregon State after Don Haskins rescinded his offer following Payton's indecision between UTEP and St. John's. Payton faced academic challenges during his sophomore year of high school, resulting in his temporary ineligibility to play. However, with encouragement from his father and a renewed focus on academics, he regained eligibility and continued his basketball career.

Throughout his four-year tenure at Oregon State, Payton established himself as one of the most celebrated basketball players in the university's history. His senior season in 1989–90 was particularly notable, as he garnered widespread recognition, including a feature on the cover of Sports Illustrated as the nation's top college basketball player. Payton amassed numerous accolades during his collegiate career, including being named a consensus All-American, a three-time All-Pac-10 selection, and earning distinctions such as Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and conference Freshman of the Year in 1987. His dominance on the court was further highlighted by his MVP honors in the Far West Classic tournament on three occasions and nine selections as Pac-10 Player of the Week. Payton's contributions were instrumental in Oregon State's postseason appearances, including three NCAA tournament berths and one NIT appearance.

By the time of his graduation, Payton had etched his name in the Oregon State record books, holding records for points, field goals, three-point field goals, assists, and steals—a testament to his unparalleled impact on the university's basketball program. Despite some records being surpassed since then, Payton's legacy remains indelible at Oregon State. In recognition of his achievements, he was honored with induction into OSU's Sports Hall of Fame in 1996, further solidifying his status as a basketball legend in Corvallis.

Gary Payton made an immediate impact in the NBA after being selected as the second overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1990 NBA draft. In just his third career game, Payton showcased his versatility by recording his first double-double with 13 points and 10 assists in a victory over the Nuggets. He followed this performance by achieving his first career triple-double on February 23, 1991, tallying 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in a game against the Suns. Payton continued to demonstrate his playmaking abilities throughout his rookie season, notching a then-career-high 16 assists in the following game, joining Slick Watts and Nate McMillan as the only SuperSonics players to achieve such a feat in their rookie campaigns.

Despite initial struggles, Payton soon established himself as one of the league's premier point guards. Alongside Shawn Kemp, he formed the dynamic duo known as the "Sonic Boom." Payton's exceptional performances earned him numerous accolades, including nine consecutive All-NBA team selections and nine consecutive selections to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, a record at the time. Notably, he became the first point guard in NBA history to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1996.
During his tenure with the SuperSonics, Payton led the team to great success, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 1996, where they faced Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. Despite their loss in the Finals, Payton's leadership and skill were evident as he guided the SuperSonics to a franchise-record 64 wins that season.
However, tensions arose between Payton and team owner Howard Schultz, leading to a strained relationship. When Payton missed the first day of training camp in 2002, Schultz insisted on trading him. This marked the end of Payton's remarkable 12½-season stint with the SuperSonics, during which he solidified his legacy as one of the greatest players in franchise history.