If you have ever watched NBA and Big3, you must have heard of Gary Payton.
“The Glove”, as they called him, is a mythical figure in the world of basketball. His basketball skills and human characteristics make him unbelievable and interesting. Gary marked the nineties in the NBA and the first half of 2000-s with his great playmaking skills. He became one of the most noticeable point guards while playing, and was recognizable as a coach also.
Take your seat and fasten your seat belts as Gary Payton’s story starts now.
How did he do in his first NBA club?
Gary Payton was chosen as the second pick in the NBA draft held in 1990 by Seattle Supersonics. He spent in Seattle’s first 12 and half seasons. Part of his career spent in Seattle was very lucrative and this stands as maybe his most successful period of active play. In Gary’s third career game came his first double-double with 13 points and 10 assists in a victory over Denver Nuggets.
In 1991, Payton recorded his first triple-double with scored 18 points, made 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in a loss against Phoenix Suns. Gary got the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1996. Gary Payton formed the “Sonic Boom” duo with Shawn Kemp, his teammate who played on shooting guard position.
What was his second club in NBA?
Payton was included in a dispute with Seattle after Howard Schultz bought Supersonics. Gary was traded to Milwaukee Bucks In the midst of 2002-2003 after not participating in the first day of camp in 2002 in Seattle.
Gary Payton found his form quickly in Wisconsin in the remaining 28 games in that season. He averaged 19.6 points and 7.4 assists. His virtues express in the playoff series against New Jersey Nets after scoring 18.5 and 8.7 assists per game. Unfortunately, Milwaukee lost against New Year with 2-4 and ended that season.
Where did he continue his career?
“The Glove” finished as an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2003-2004 season. He and Karl Malone signed for Los Angeles Lakers. An interesting fact was that Gary was a starter in all 82 games in the regular part of the season. Payton scored 14.6 points with 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
His main trait was creating an offensive part of the game when Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, two major stars of the LA Lakers, were absent. Lakers had a very successful season making it to the final of the NBA only to lose against Detroit Pistons. Gary Payton didn’t have good performances in the playoff as “The Glove” averaged only 7.8 points.
What was the fourth club Gary Payton for in the NBA?
The hero of our story had many ups and downs during this stage of his career. Gary was playing 77 games for his next club – Boston Celtics. Boston traded first him to Atlanta, but then he returned as a free agent.
Payton averaged 11.3 points per game and 6.1 assists per game. Boston eventually won the Atlantic Division in the 2004-2005 season. Celtics were eliminated from further competition because they lost against Indiana Pacers in the first round.
Where did “The Glove” finish his NBA career?
Payton signed the contract with Miami Heat in the summer of 2005. Gary was a backup option for Jason Williams who played on point guard position.
“The Glove” had 7.7 points on his account per game as he started only 25 games. The average number of minutes was even reduced for him in the playoff from 28.5 to 24.3. His scoring of decisive points against the New Jersey Nets brought his Miami victory in game 4 of the semifinal of the East Division. Miami eventually won against Dallas in a big final and clinched the trophy.
That was assumed to be only Payton’s ring in his career. He retired after playing one more year for Miami and he is 21st highest scorer in NBA history.
What was his style as a player and how it reflected on his tactics as a coach?
Trash-talking is one of his trademarks and it’s consisting part of his personality on the court. “The Glove” left the impression of a self-centered person, but nobody can deny his commitment to his team. His volatility is recognizable in basketball circles. When a game starts, he only recognizes the ball and result.
Out of court, his behavior is friendly oriented and everybody has a huge appreciation for him. His specific attitude relieved his team of pressure because the attention was on him. Gary continued to use this strategy as a coach in Big3 and it seemed to work out for the teams he led. His players can focus on the court.
How were his Big3 beginnings?
Payton took charge of 3 Headed Monsters ahead of the start of the first season of this popular competition in 2017.
“The Glove” was leading mega stars and former NBA players like Rashard Lewis, Jason Williams, and Kwame Brown. Gary’s temperament beside the line of the court gave him authority in front of his warriors. 3 Headed Monsters played beautiful basketball and got to the final. Trilogy beat 3 Headed Monsters in the final with 51-46 in the inaugural season.
Gary Payton relied more on the abilities of leader players in his team instead of their explosiveness.
How did the second season go for Gary Payton’s team?
Gary Payton brought one more player before the kick-off of the second season. According to the rule, a runner-up from the previous season can make one addition to the roster. Salim Stoudamire was the only reinforcement for an already strong team.
3 Headed Monsters repeated good performances from the 2017 season and finished the competition in third place. Payton’s strong passion was the explosiveness his team needed and they slowly built their own identity. “The Glove” won the individual award – he was named the top trash-talker.
Which team has “The Glove” led in the third season of Big3?
“The Glove” stayed loyal to 3 Headed Monsters for the third season it was clear that this team was striving for continuity of structure they built over the past two seasons. Larry Sanders, Tree Simmons, and Mario Chalmers were signed for the 2019 season.
Gary’s authority was still one of the biggest catalysts of this squad and they again reached the playoff. The trilogy was too strong for them, but 3 Headed Monsters beat Power with 50-42 in the game for third place. Payton’s influence on the play of his team was visible on the court. Somehow, Gary’s life philosophy was deeply integrated into every member of 3 Headed Monsters.
How did things go for Gary Payton in the fourth season?
Kevin Murphy and Mamadou N’Diaye were transferred to 3 Headed Monsters ahead of the beginning of the fourth season. 3 Headed Monsters went to another season with huge ambitions and to finally win the league.
Eventually, they were stopped again against Trilogy. Trilogy pulled out a 50-45 victory and crashed Gary’s hopes of clinching the first trophy in the Big’3 chapter of his career. His players were lacking offensive strength in the dying seconds of the decisive fixture.
Payton cemented the legacy after another successful run in Fireball. “The Glove” felt heartbroken and was disappointed along with his players.
What happened after the fourth season with Gary Payton?
Gary Payton left 3 Headed Monsters after four relatively successful seasons and took Bivouac. Reggie Theus went in the opposite direction before the fifth season began. Bivouac brought Jeff Ayres and Corey Brewer in the 2022 Draft Pool. Bivouac had a very bad record in the past and they wanted to improve their results.
“The Glove” was part of that project, but unfortunately didn’t make it to qualify for the playoff. Bivouac ended the regular part of the season with 2 wins and 4 losses. Gary needs time to adapt the players and culture of the team to his system.
“The Glove” got many individual accolades throughout his NBA and Big3 career. Nothing of that can compare with the impression he left while leading teams as a player and coach. His strong temperament and eagerness to win make him a true role model for anyone who wants to try basketball professionally.
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