The Hall of Fame point guard revealed his dream lineup, slotting himself alongside some of the game’s greatest legends. “If you want me to put myself in there, and I really don’t put myself in there, I’ll be at the point. The two, I’d probably put Michael Jordan. The three, I’d put Kobe. The four, I’d put Shawn Kemp, and I would always do this for center, I’d put Wilt Chamberlain,” Payton said during a recent visit to the Philippines.

Even more surprisingly, Payton named Chamberlain as his GOAT, even over Michael and Kobe. He dismissed the notion that the 1960s era was watered down. And, leaved LeBron James out of the starting five, appreciating her teammates and old legends.

“I think Wilt Chamberlain was the greatest center to ever play,” Payton added. “Everybody praises his records, you see how everybody tries to break his records, but they don’t give it to him because they say he played in the 60s, but that doesn’t matter. He was 17 to 18 years old sometime in his life and he could play, so that would be my five.”

Payton’s journey to being one of the best

“The Glove,” known for his unique ability to shut down opponents on defense, built one of the most complete careers for a point guard in NBA history. From his early years with the Seattle SuperSonics, he showed a combination of intensity, physical strength, and competitive character that made him the soul of the team. He wasn’t just a key offensive piece—he set the defensive standard for guards and became a nightmare in one-on-one matchups.

Over his career, Payton was a nine-time All-Star and nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection, accomplishments that cemented his place among the most consistent players of his generation. In 1996, he led the SuperSonics to the NBA Finals against Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, one of the few players to truly challenge the legendary No. 23 in a decisive series. That same year, he became the only point guard in history to win Defensive Player of the Year.

Beyond individual accolades, Payton made an impact collectively. After his time in Seattle, he played for Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Lakers, and Boston before winning a championship with the Miami Heat in 2006. That title crowned a career defined by perseverance and the relentless pursuit of success, solidifying his legacy in the league.

Analyzing his impact, Payton stands out as one of the greatest point guards ever for his two-way game. His scoring, playmaking, and, most importantly, his ability to shut down top opponents made him a singular talent. In an NBA often dominated by offensive highlights, “The Glove” remains a reminder of what true greatness looks like.

According to NBA insider Jake Weinbach, the Warriors reportedly have verbal agreements in place with free agents Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II. These additions would help stabilize the roster and provide much-needed depth heading into the new season.

However, none of these deals can become official until the situation surrounding Jonathan Kuminga is resolved. Golden State’s spending flexibility remains restricted by the NBA’s hard cap rules, particularly the first and second apron triggers, which limit movement unless cap space is cleared.

Gary Payton II recently offered insight into why neither he nor Horford have officially joined the Warriors during the preseason. According to the guard, everything is on hold due to Kuminga’s status, which continues to affect the team’s decision-making process.

In a conversation with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, NBA insider Marc J. Spears noted that the Warriors currently have only nine players under contract. Spears recalled a recent exchange with Payton, saying, “I ran into Gary Payton II two days ago and asked, ‘What’s going on?’ He said, ‘Waiting on JK (Jonathan Kuminga). Horford is. Everybody is.’”

The topic came up on Thursday’s edition of NBA Today on ESPN, where Andrews was joined by Kendrick Perkins, Marc J. Spears, Shams Charania, and Anthony Slater. The panel discussed the contract complications involving Kuminga and how they’re impacting Golden State’s offseason strategy.

Kuminga is a restricted free agent and remains at the center of multiple trade talks. Several teams, including the Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns, have shown interest in acquiring him. However, the Warriors have yet to receive an offer they find acceptable.

“Them (expletive) be talking about retired jersey in Oklahoma City,” Payton said in an appearance on Adam Ray’s 420 Show. “(Expletive) Oklahoma City because I ain’t never been there.”

Indeed, GP spent the prime of his career with the Seattle SuperSonics. Selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 1990 NBA Draft, he remained with the franchise until 2003. Over those years, the guard dazzled fans, earning 9 All-Star selections, 2 All-NBA First Team honors, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and leading the league in steals in 1996.

However, the SuperSonics no longer exist, after the franchise relocated in 2008 due to disputes with the city of Seattle over a new arena. The team has since become the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Why does Payton reject honors from the Thunder?

While the Thunder are technically the SuperSonics’ successor, Payton doesn’t see any connection between his time in Seattle and the franchise currently based in Oklahoma City. “It ain’t no better than the Seattle fans. I don’t give a (expletive) about what nobody say,” he said.

Payton went on to explain why he has no interest in having his jersey retired by the Thunder — and why the same would likely apply to another Seattle icon, Shawn Kemp. “Let’s make it real. Me and Shawn never played in front of Oklahoma City. We didn’t never play in front of their fans. So why should we give them the pleasure of what we started in Seattle to retire our jersey? Our fans should be having that pleasure,” said the 2006 NBA champion with the Miami Heat.

Payton has plans for the SuperSonics’ return

Since the SuperSonics left the league, Seattle fans have long awaited the return of an NBA team. Payton, whose identity is deeply tied to the city’s basketball legacy, is just as eager for that day to come.

“When the Sonics come back, and mostly we gonna be a part of that, we’re gonna retire Shawn and Detlef’s (Schrempf) jerseys first,” Payton said. “That’s what we want to do, so everybody will get a feel of what’s happening. We’re the three that did that ’90s stuff.”

Which jerseys have been retired by the SuperSonics and the Thunder?

While still active in the NBA, the Seattle SuperSonics retired six jerseys: Gus Williams (No. 1), Nathaniel McMillan (No. 10), Lenny Wilkens (No. 19), Spencer Haywood (No. 24), Fred Brown (No. 32), and Jack Sikma (No. 43).

The Oklahoma City Thunder did not continue that tradition and, notably, none of those jerseys are displayed in Paycom Center. In their 17 seasons as a franchise, the only number the Thunder have retired is No. 4, in honor of Nick Collison.

“I don’t think Luka is a defensive player,” said Payton during a conversation at the BUDX NBA House recently. “I think he’s a scorer. He’s an athlete. He’s got great ability… Now, if he wants to go and change it and prove people wrong that he can’t play defense, if that was me, I would change it.”

Still, the 1996 NBA Defensive Player of the Year emphasized that such a transformation isn’t simple. “You have to be dedicated to play defense. You have to be dedicated. Maybe that’s not for him,” Gary speculated. “There’s a mindset to play defense. Not just say you want to play defense. You can’t do that unless you have a mindset to do that.”

Later, the NBA champion with the Miami Heat in 2006 questioned whether Doncic is even willing to put in the effort to improve. “You have to be able to move. You have to be willing to take sacrifices to do things. And that’s just the way it goes,” explained Payton. “He’s not one of that. But now, if he wants to, yes, he can get his mind to it to do it. But does he want to do it? That’s left up to him. That’s not left up to us.”

Just hours later, during an interview on The Dan Patrick Show, Robert Horry addressed the same topic. “I tell people all the time, if you can move your feet and get past and blow by people, that means you have some fast-twitch muscles. You can move pretty fast. So there’s no reason you cannot play better defense on the other. You just got to want to. And I think a lot of times he doesn’t want to. He’d rather just point,” said the former forward about Luka.

“It’s so weird that people talk about his weight, but yet he’s still giving people 30 points. I tell people, I don’t care about his weight. You need to get him in a gym and teach him how to play defense,” Horry pointed out. “That’s the thing, because you can give someone 40 points, but if you’re giving up 35 on the other end, those 40 points don’t mean anything.”

The seven-time NBA champion with the Houston Rockets, the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs then echoed Gary Payton’s comments—not questioning Doncic’s abilities, but his willingness to improve. “I think that is the key. And I think also he needs to want to play defense, because so many times he saves his energy for the offensive end,” said Robert. “It’s about wanting to.”

“He was just the biggest trash talker that I’ve ever seen,” said Scott in a January 2025 interview on All The Smoke. “Larry would talk (expletive) during the game. He tell you where he’s going, catch it, shot it. Jump, he tell you, ‘Man, your jump high, but you don’t jump that high.’”

But Scott emphasized that Bird didn’t just talk—he backed it up. “I guess it ain’t trash talking if you ain’t backing it up right. I’m saying he telling you what he going to do and he’s doing it. So, I guess it’s just him being a prophet and telling you exactly what he was going to do,” the former guard joked.

Byron also recalled some of the things the Boston legend used to say on the court to opponents: “’You better put a black guy on me,’ all that (expletive) is true, because he was like, ‘You disrespect me putting a white guy on me. Ain’t no white guy can guard me. You better put a brother on me.’ That’s how he was. And then they couldn’t do nothing with him.”

Still, among Lakers players, there was one who found a way to make things tough for Bird: Michael Cooper. “He said the only one that could was Coop,” Scott revealed. “He said Coop was the only one that could really guard him. He called him the best defensive player he’s ever seen.”

Byron Scott on Larry Bird’s talent

Scott had the chance to face Bird many times during those classic matchups between the Celtics and the Lakers. In fact, between entering the NBA in 1983 and leaving Los Angeles in 1993, Byron played in three Finals against Boston, winning two and losing one. That gave him firsthand insight into Bird’s greatness.

“I don’t think we give him enough credit for how great he was. Larry Bird was the real (expletive),” Byron said. “Larry Bird was one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen. He gotta be a top 10. He’s overlooked, just like anything else. Time has a way to make people forget about the past.”

Gary Payton also praises Bird

Another NBA icon who faced Bird was Gary Payton, early in his career with the Seattle SuperSonics while Larry was nearing retirement. “He was the coldest dude I’ve ever seen,” Payton said during a 2022 appearance on Uninterrupted. “Everybody be talking about this great greats and we always mentioning him. He was the (expletive). He’ll give it to you any way he wanted to. Larry Bird was cold.”

Gary also shared specific examples of what the Celtics legend would say to opponents during games: “Bird used to tell me, ‘Look here man, I’m gonna shoot this (expletive) jumper in your face right there in that corner and it’s gonna be your Christmas present. I’m gonna wrap it and bust your head open.’ All that (expletive).”

During an episode of the Club 520 podcast, former Lakers guard Gary Payton reflected on his NBA career and revealed his pick for the greatest point guard of all time: “John Stockton, by far. He was just a little more crafty; everybody thought he was dirty, but we were just s*****d. We didn’t know how to play. It took me six years to figure him out… I really love playing against players like that. Because it got me more of the IQ about the game.”

While John Stockton remains a reference for many, he rarely comes up in debates about the greatest point guards ever. That is mostly because Magic Johnson dominated the court and transformed the position along his career. Because of that, most people expect a different name in that conversation. Still, Stockton left a lasting impact that many tend to overlook.

Throughout his career, the Utah Jazz legend played 1,504 games. He averaged 13.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game. He also holds the NBA records for most assists and steals. But his influence went far beyond the numbers. He controlled the pace and improved his team every night. Even so, Stockton never won an NBA championship. And that is why many do not include him among the top players at his position.

Ex-NBA player Steve Kerr breaks down John Stockton’s playstyle

Steve Kerr appeared in 910 NBA games, with the bulk of his career unfolding during the 1990s. Throughout that time, he often went head-to-head with John Stockton. While some former players have labeled Stockton a dirty player, suggesting he had a knack for delivering elbows without drawing fouls, Kerr holds a different opinion.

In a 1997 interview with the Chicago Tribune, he offered a thoughtful perspective. “I’ve never felt John was dirty. I’ve always felt he was extremely tricky and crafty…If you turn your head, he’s back-cutting for a layup, if you lose your balance a little, he’s going to push off you to get to the basket…He’s as smart a player as there is and awfully talented as well because he’s so good with the ball and is a great shooter.“

During a recent interview on the Knuckleheads Podcast, Payton was asked: “What’s your take? Could Dream Team 2 have beaten Dream Team 1?” The former Seattle SuperSonics point guard responded confidently. “Absolutely,” he said. “They were older, come on, man! And then we took six of their Dream Team I guys and put them on our team.”

Gary then elaborated on the process of assembling the 1996 roster. “You all gotta understand. DC (Derrick Coleman) and them were the ones who went to the qualifying thing and didn’t get on the Dream Team 2. Him, Shawn Kemp, and all of them—they got taken off. Because, you know, they started acting crazy,” he explained. “Then they put us on there.”

He also reflected on the star-studded roster that took to the court in Atlanta. “We had a heck of a team,” Payton began. “We had a young Grant Hill, we had a young Penny Hardaway, we had Reggie Miller, we had Mitch Richmond, then it was me, Shaq (O’Neal), John Stockton, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson. We had a heck of a basketball team.”

How did Dream Team II fare at the 1996 Olympics?

As Payton recalled, several players from the 1992 gold-medal-winning team, including Charles Barkley, David Robinson, Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone, and John Stockton, returned to represent Team USA in 1996. However, legends like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson were absent.

In addition to Payton, who had just been named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year with the Seattle SuperSonics, the 1996 squad featured newcomers like Grant Hill, Anfernee Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, Reggie Miller, Shaquille O’Neal, and Hakeem Olajuwon.

The Dream Team II dominated their rivals throughout the tournament, winning every game by an average margin of 31 points. In the final, Team USA faced Yugoslavia and once again showcased their superiority, claiming a decisive 95-69 victory to win the gold medal.

Team USA also had fun in Atlanta

In the same interview, Gary Payton shared some behind-the-scenes memories from the 1996 tournament. “We went to Atlanta during the Olympics, and we were out at the strip club every night and blowing everybody out,” the former guard revealed. “We was doing that, Dream Team II. To make that and do that, that was one of the best things ever. The greatest year ever in my whole life that I’ve ever had.”

Speaking on the Knuckleheads podcast, Payton put together his dream lineup, which featured some of the greatest players he shared the court with in his teams: Seattle Supersonics, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.

“I’ma put Kobe at the two, Shawn [Kemp] at the three, Karl Malone at the four, and Shaq at the five… I had D-Wade, but I can’t put D-Wade over Kobe. I can’t do that,” Payton said. “You gotta understand, Shawn was a beast, Karl Malone was a beast in his prime, and then I cannot not do Shaq. You know I can’t do that.”

While Payton made it clear that Wade is an all-time great, he couldn’t justify placing him over NBA legends like Kobe Bryant or even Malone, one of the most dominant power forwards in league history.

The career of Hall of Famer Gary Payton

Gary Payton, established himself as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history with his elite defense, playmaking, and relentless trash talk. Selected second overall in the 1990 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, Payton quickly became the franchise’s cornerstone. His defensive prowess and leadership helped Seattle rise to prominence in the mid-1990s, culminating in an NBA Finals appearance against Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in 1996. That season, Payton won Defensive Player of the Year—the only point guard to ever achieve that honor.

After over a decade with the SuperSonics, Payton was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2003 before joining the Los Angeles Lakers later that year in pursuit of a championship. Teaming up with Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Karl Malone, Payton reached the 2004 NBA Finals but fell short against the Detroit Pistons. He then had a brief stint with the Boston Celtics before finally landing with the Miami Heat in 2005, where he played a key veteran role in helping Wade and Shaq secure the franchise’s first NBA title in 2006.

Beyond his NBA success, Payton also excelled on the international stage, winning an Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the 1996 Atlanta Games. His career was defined by defensive intensity, clutch performances, and an unmatched competitive spirit that made him a nightmare for opposing guards.

After retiring in 2007, Payton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest two-way guards of all time. His influence on the game remains evident today, as he is often cited as the blueprint for defensive excellence at the point guard position.

In the NBA, the GOAT debate typically centers around Michael Jordan and LeBron James, with other legends like Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry occasionally mentioned. In a recent interview, Payton narrowed his focus to just two players—Jordan and LeBron—the only two he faced during his career.

Speaking on ESPN’s First Take, Payton broke down his criteria for determining the NBA‘s GOAT. According to him, Jordan thrived on proving his superiority to opponents on an individual level, while LeBron excelled as a team player, showcasing a broader impact without feeling the need to constantly prove himself.

“Michael Jordan always made it a point to guard the best player,” Payton explained. “Even when I tried to trash-talk him, he’d tell Pippen, ‘I’m watching Gary.’ But in today’s era, LeBron doesn’t exhaust himself like that because he does so much for his team.“

Payton ultimately tipped the scales in favor of LeBron James, explaining why he views him as the NBA’s all-time best. “Jordan had a mindset of, ‘I don’t care if I tire myself out; I’m taking this guy because I want to prove I’m better.’ LeBron, on the other hand, understands his role as a team leader and prioritizes his overall contribution. That’s why I prefer LeBron,” Payton concluded.

Payton reflects on other key difference between LeBron and MJ

In addition to comparing the two legends, NBA Hall of Famer shared his thoughts on LeBron‘s evolution since becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in 2023. Payton highlighted how James has closed the gap with Jordan by refining his execution and overall impact on the game.

“I think Jordan could get to any spot he wanted on the court. However, LeBron is the better all-around player because he can pass and rebound at an elite level,” Payton explained. “Jordan was more of a killer. He would come at you relentlessly, take the toughest shots when it mattered most, and make them. But now, LeBron is transforming into a total killer too, which makes him almost unstoppable.“

LeBron’s NBA career: A modern masterpiece

Lakers’ star has crafted one of the most illustrious careers in NBA history, redefining the standards of modern basketball while continuing to elevate his game season after season.

Career achievements:

• 20-time NBA All-Star
• 1-time NBA Scoring Champion
• 4-time NBA Champion
• 4-time Finals MVP
• 2003-04 Rookie of the Year
• 20-time All-NBA Team Selection
• Member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team

Career stats:

Across 1,502 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron has etched his name in the record books:

• Points: 40,706 (most in NBA history)
• Field Goals Made: 14,921
• Three-Pointers Made: 2,434
• Free Throws Made: 8,430
• Assists: 11,098
• Rebounds: 11,262

Given his storied NBA career, Payton was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, a testament to his lasting impact on the game. This recognition has also made him a frequent voice in discussions about the league’s most memorable moments. Recently, Payton weighed in on what he considers the greatest dunk in NBA history.

Without hesitation, Payton selected Shawn Kemp’s thunderous dunk on Alton Lister during a matchup between the Seattle Supersonics and the Golden State Warriors in the 1991-1992 season. “I think it’s the No. 1 dunk of all time. Me being a part of that and seeing that, it was great,” Payton told Bleacher Report.

For many fans, that iconic moment epitomized the intensity and spirit of the NBA in the 1990s—a decade defined by fierce rivalries and high-energy basketball. Payton fondly recalled the celebratory aftermath of Kemp’s dunk, which became just as legendary as the play itself. “That’s all anybody ever talks about is a dunk like that, and then he’s squatting down, pointing at Alton Lister,” Payton said, referencing Kemp’s memorable reaction.

Why Kemp celebrated that dunk so emphatically

Fans who witnessed that iconic game were left in awe of the way Shawn Kemp celebrated his thunderous dunk. After the game, the media questioned Alton Lister about the moment, shedding light on the backstory behind one of the NBA’s most memorable plays.

“We had an altercation the game before. We were out there crawling all over the floor, wrestling. No punches were thrown, but Tim Hardaway had grabbed Shawn and pulled him down from behind, and he thought I did that,” Lister explained. “So that’s why he was so animated toward me when he made that dunk.”

Context behind Kemp’s legendary dunk

Despite the tension between Lister and Kemp, the Seattle SuperSonics were laser-focused on defeating the Golden State Warriors in the decisive Game 4 of the Western Conference First Round. With a 2-1 lead in the series, Seattle was just one win away from advancing.

In a thrilling contest that ended 119-116 in favor of the SuperSonics, Kemp and Gary Payton showcased their brilliance, propelling their team into the next round. However, Seattle’s championship aspirations were short-lived, as the Utah Jazz eliminated them in the following round with a 3-1 series victory, abruptly ending their playoff run.

The timing couldn’t be better, since the guard is also ready to leave the Portland Trail Blazers after many years. The teams have to reach an agreement, but Dame has reportedly made it clear he only wants to join the Heat.

Many were surprised to see Lillard give up on the Blazers, after sticking to them through thick and thin. Gary Payton, however, completely understands Lillard as he felt the same way back in the day.

Gary Payton supports Damian Lillard’s intention to join the Heat

“Everybody should chase a championship. Why are we playing basketball? That is the whole object of playing basketball,” Payton told Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel.

“If you want to go somewhere else if you’ve got a chance to win a championship, go there. And that’s what I saw when I came to Miami. So I came here, look what happened.”

Payton, who spent more than a decade with the Seattle SuperSonics, won his first and only ring with Miami in 2006. Dame knows that his championship window won’t last forever, so this could be the perfect moment to join a contender like the Heat.