Ever since <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-news-steve-kerr-makes-bold-statement-about-golden-state-warriors-current-season-20221116-0059.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steve Kerr</a> took over the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-warriors-targeting-two-big-men-in-the-trade-market-20221125-0027.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Golden State Warriors</a>, the team has been known for its full motion offense, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-warriors-want-to-trade-for-jae-crowder-but-theres-a-catch-20221128-0013.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">its depth,</a> and its suffocating defense. This season, they’re missing two out of those three.
The Dubs lost some key pieces in the offseason, mostly on the defensive side of the ball. Otto Porter Jr., Juan Toscano-Anderson, and Nemanja Bjelica all played a big part in last year’s championship run.
However, none of those losses compares to <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-news-gary-payton-ll-gets-brutally-honest-on-why-he-left-the-warriors-20220907-0051.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gary Payton II,</a> as he was their best defender by a long stretch. In fact, it seems like some Warriors players are still mad at the front office for not resigning him.
<h2>NBA Rumors: Warriors Players Are Mad At The Front Office For Letting Gary Payton II Go</h2>
“If there is anything that the guys on that team, around that team, are upset with, it is letting Payton go, letting him get paid somewhere else like he did,” a Western Conference executive told Heavy’s Sean Deveney. “Everyone understands that with the [luxury] tax, it was really tough to bring him back, but they could have kept him and let [Kevon] Looney walk because, in theory, it would be easier to replace a big guy.”
“Looney means a lot in that locker room, and it is tricky playing center for the Warriors, so they felt they had to keep him,” the executive added. “But losing Payton has really hurt that bench.”

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Payton hasn’t been able to play this season due to injury, but it shouldn’t take long before he’s back on the court. He went from being an afterthought and barely making the roster to becoming one of the most respected players in the locker room.
Steve Kerr has scrambled with his rotations to try and fix their defensive flaws, especially in the second unit. Unfortunately, maybe the guy they needed is the one they let go of because of the luxury tax.

NBA Rumors: Warriors players angry at Bob Myers over key decision

NBA Rumors: Warriors players angry at Bob Myers over key decision - Bolavip US

Even though the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-gm-survey-which-team-will-be-the-championship-winners-20221004-0041.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Basketball Association</a> is a scorer’s league now more than ever, every single team needs a <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/rudy-gobert-fires-back-at-ben-simmons-over-dpoy-race-20210323-0007.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lockdown defender</a> to stand a chance in the playoffs. The offense can win you a game or two, but the defense can take you the distance in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-news-jayson-tatum-gets-real-on-losing-the-nba-finals-20220822-0011.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBA Finals.</a>
With that in mind, GMs and coaches leave no stone unturned looking for those guys who can play lockdown D. So, if they can also hit the occasional three or be a positive factor in the offensive end of the floor, you better believe they’ll log plenty of minutes.
Those guys don’t often get the recognition they deserve, nor the big contracts they would’ve gotten if they were scorers. But here, we’ll honor them by letting you know about three dark horse candidates to <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/marcus-smart-wins-2021-22-dpoy-michael-jordan-gary-payton-and-all-guards-to-win-it-20220418-0039.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">win DPOY.</a>
<h2>NBA Rumors: Dark Horse Candidates To Win DPOY</h2>
<h3>3. Jrue Holiday</h3>
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<figure class="image"> <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="413" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:413" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20221009_BUS_202133_jrue_holiday.jpg_22993414_02f1db92.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=413" width="740" height="413"></figure><figcaption> Jrue Holiday – Getty Images </figcaption></figure>
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Several NBA players can all agree that Jrue Holiday is the best defender in the league, yet he rarely gets any love for Defensive Player of the Year. That might change now that Marcus Smart is the reigning winner of the award.
Holiday has long arms and is deadly in passing lanes. He can pick your pocket in the blink of an eye, and his length allows him to haunt rival players all over the court and force turnovers and tough shots.
<h3>2. Alex Caruso</h3>
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<figure class="image"> <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="413" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:413" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20221009_BUS_202133_alex_caruso_x1x.jpg_22993414_a6b5732e.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=413" width="740" height="413"></figure><figcaption> Alex Caruso – Getty Images </figcaption></figure>
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Alex Caruso became popular and a fan favorite as a joke, but he earned every single minute of playing time and every penny of his contract. His grit, energy, and hustle make him a major factor for theChicago Bulls.
Caruso is the ultimate ball-hawk. He’ll dive and put his body on the line on every 50/50 balland will hound opposing guards and stick to them like a fly on a frog’s tongue. He’s pesky, suffocating, and physical.
<h3>1. Gary Payton II</h3>
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<figure class="image"> <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="413" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:413" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20221009_BUS_202133_gary_payton_ii.jpg_22993414_b1a6c9c2.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=413" width="740" height="413"></figure><figcaption> Gary Payton II – Getty Images </figcaption></figure>
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The Golden State Warriors will regret lowballing Gary Payton II. He was a massive contributor to their recent successand was perhaps the best perimeter defender in the league last season, even ahead of Smart.
Payton II went from an afterthought and barely making the Dubs’ roster to getting a big payday, all thanks to his defense and hustle. Just like his old man, he can even check bigger playersand is strong enough to hold his own in the post.

NBA Rumors: Alex Caruso and dark horses to win Defensive Player of the Year

NBA Rumors: Alex Caruso and dark horses to win Defensive Player of the Year - Bolavip US

After four years of wait, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-news-former-all-star-explains-why-steph-curry-will-never-be-the-goat-20220905-0008.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Golden State Warriors</a> got back to glory days by winning the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/golden-state-warriors-nba-finals-appearances-complete-list-of-all-their-championship-definitions-20220602-0036.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2022 NBA Finals</a>. While having their Big Three at full strength was clearly a reason behind their success, the rotation also played a pivotal role.
Against all odds, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-gary-payton-and-gary-payton-ii-become-the-newest-father-son-duo-to-win-the-championship-20220619-0025.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gary Payton II</a> ended up being a <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/stephen-curry-and-draymond-green-key-efforts-to-help-warriors-find-gary-payton-ii-substitute-20220709-0024.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">key contributor</a> to the team’s championship-winning season. His great production coming off the bench made him an interesting target in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/the-emotional-rollercoaster-gary-payton-ii-exit-from-golden-state-caused-to-draymond-green-20220713-0039.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free agency</a>.
Payton II seized his new reputation to sign a three-year, $28 million contract with the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/portland-star-damian-lillard-points-out-the-mentality-problem-that-ails-most-kids-aiming-for-the-nba-20220806-0032.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Portland Trail Blazers</a>. Though he could have opted to re-sign with the Dubs, the possibility of a bigger paycheck drove him to Oregon.
<h2>Gary Payton II explains why he left Golden State for Portland</h2>
“I had to take the money,” Payton II said on the”Truth &amp; Basketball with George Karl,” via NBC Sports.“I had to take the money coach [George Karl]. It didn’t work out. I would love to go back to Golden State, but it didn’t work out. Just the timing and everything. Just a business deal, and I just had to take the money.
“I Love Oregon,” Payton added. “Portland is great up here. Two years with Corvallis and I had my time in P-town. But I love Oregon. But it was nothing against Oregon. I was going to take the money regardless of where it was.”
It’s certainly an interesting addition for the Blazers, who have retooled their roster for this season. Having also landed Jerami Grant, Portland hopes its offseason moves will help <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/damian-lillard-talks-all-about-the-physical-toll-taken-on-him-until-last-season-20220725-0024.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Damian Lillard</a> take this team to new heights.
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NBA News: Gary Payton II gets brutally honest on why he left the Warriors

NBA News: Gary Payton II gets brutally honest on why he left the Warriors - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/warriors-news-stephen-curry-steve-kerr-recover-key-player-for-nba-finals-20220527-0021.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gary Payton II’s</a> personal story with the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-charles-barkley-has-a-solid-reason-to-regret-stephen-curry-success-with-golden-state-warriors-20220618-0031.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Golden State Warriors</a> is very special. Not only because how he became an important role player for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/video-steve-kerr-predicting-the-warriors-four-championships-back-in-2014-20220619-0019.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steve Kerr’s</a> squad, but because how he made it to the squad in the first place. In fact, Payton II was supposed to be part of the Warriors organization but not on the court.
Before the2021-22 NBA season, Payton II signed multiple 10-day contractswith the Warriors to be part of the squad during the pre-season. Shortly after he was waived, Payton II didn’t have many options. So, he opted out to apply for a job as video coordinator for the Warriors to be closer to the team.
Then, duringthe first week of the season Payton II signed a one-year deal with the Warriors. He was a starter in 73 regular-season games with the Dubs. He also started in two games in the Western Conference semifinals, but he got injured. So for Game 5 in the Finals, Payton II made his return to post 15 points, five rebounds and three steals. Then, the Warriors went on to win the NBA title, so he could be partof thisvery special list.
<h2>Gary Payton and Gary Payton II become the newest father-son duo to win the championship</h2>
Living up to a father’s history can be very tough. Especially if your father was an NBA player who got himself the championship. In fact, its not so common that a father and a son both clinched the NBA championship. The first father-son duo that both clinched the title as playerswereMatt Guokas Sr and Matt Jr. The father won it in the first-ever NBA season, while the son made it in the 1967season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The next duo is Rick Barry and Bren Barry, the father won it with the Golden State Warriors in 1975, asthe son won it with the San Antonio Spurs in 2005. Then, as if it was coordinated, Bill Walton won the championship with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977and his son Luke Walton was part of the Los Angeles Lakers who won the 2009 NBA Championship.
In the last decade, Klay Thompson clinched his first NBA title to even his father Mychal Thompson who won his first in 1987 with the Los Angeles Lakers. So the newest duo is the Payton one. Gary Payton father won the championship with the Miami Heat in 2006, and his sonbecame the 2022 NBA Champion with the Golden State Warriors.
 
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NBA: Gary Payton and Gary Payton II become the newest father-son duo to win the championship

NBA: Gary Payton and Gary Payton II become the newest father-son duo to win the championship - Bolavip US

Even though the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/2022-nba-playoffs-is-luka-doncic-more-clutch-compared-to-michael-jordan-and-lebron-james-in-elimination-games-20220524-0037.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dallas Mavericks</a> made them wait by forcing a fifth game, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/charles-barkley-mocks-throwing-a-coffee-cup-at-warriors-fans-after-getting-hit-with-debris-20220527-0020.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Golden State Warriors</a>tookcare of business to become Western Conference champions and book a ticket to the 2022 NBA Finals.
<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/steph-curry-klay-thompson-react-to-another-trip-to-the-nba-finals-20220527-0001.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stephen Curry</a> and company are just a few steps away from tasting the ultimate glory again, having won their last title in 2018. Steve Kerr‘s boys went through a lot in the past three years, but they eventually found their way back to prominence.
With Klay Thompson healthyafter a long time, Draymond Green recovered in time for the playoffs, and role players like <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-cavaliers-are-going-after-a-warriors-star-among-other-targets-20220526-0022.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Andrew Wiggins</a> performing at an incredible level, the Dubs found the best version of themselves again. On top of that, they’re recovering another important player for the Finals.
<h2>Report: Warriors expected to have Gary Payton II back for Game 1 ofNBA Finals</h2>
According to Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-warriors-unlikely-to-bring-back-three-players-next-season-20220518-0042.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gary Payton II</a> is nearing his return to NBA action. In fact, he could be ready for the very first game of the Finals, which begin on Thursday.
(Via The Athletic)
“The Warriors are anticipating the return of a major rotation piece for the upcoming NBA Finals. Gary Payton II is progressing well and there’s optimism that he could be back at some point early in the series, possibly as soon as Game 1, sources told The Athletic on Friday…
“The injury occurred on May 3. Payton was given a three-to-five week timetable. Game 1 of the finals is on June 2, four weeks post-fracture. Payton’s left arm was immobilized in the initial days after the fracture, but he has been amping up his workouts in recent days.”
Payton has been on the sidelines since May 3, when he fractured his elbowagainst the Memphis Grizzlies afterDillon Brooks made a scary challenge whilehe was on the air attempting to reach the rim.
Andre Iguodala is also expected to return at some point during the Finals, which would only boost the Warriors’ aspirations. With <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-finals-all-nba-champions-by-year-20210701-0003.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the title</a> closer than ever, the Dubs will needall hands on deck.
 
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gary payton ii

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