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Position: point guard |
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2001-02 in Review: It was a mild surprise that when the Seattle SuperSonics began their training camp last October, embattled point guard Gary Payton was still on the roster. After a 2000-01 season that saw him suspended twice for insubordination, Payton was forced to endure a summer of trade rumors that he believed so serious as to write a “Thank you” note to Sonics fans that sounded suspiciously like a goodbye. Payton reported a new man in both body and mind. Summer weight room work gave him a bigger physique that would help Payton play through the constant pain he has experienced throughout his career. Perhaps more important was an attitude that had been adjusted thanks to his near-departure and the influence of coach Nate McMillan. With a better team around him, Payton was able to look for his own offense slightly less than he had in years pass and look to set up teammates, as he averaged a career-high 9.0 assists per game, good for third in the NBA. When the Sonics needed it, Payton could still take over a game, as evidenced by his 43 points against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 27, the most he has ever scored in a regulation game. Though his scoring average dropped from 23.1 points per game to 22.1, Payton shot better, making 46.7% of his shots as opposed to 45.6% during the 2000-01 season. Perhaps most impressively, Payton played all 82 games for the eighth time in his 11 full seasons (he also played all 50 during the lockout-shortened 1999 season). Averaging over 40 minutes a night again, Payton’s 3301 minutes played were sixth in the NBA. Payton received his usual accolades; All-Star reserve, second-team all-NBA, first-team all-defense for the 10th consecutive season, tying Michael Jordan for the most ever. The most disappointing part of Payton’s season was the playoffs; going up against San Antonio’s 19-year-old rookie Tony Parker, Payton was expected to have a big season. He was key to the Sonics’ two victories. In game two, Payton led the Sonics with 21 points and 11 rebounds and in game four he scored 28 points and added 12 boards. However, his shooting accuracy dipped and he struggled to contain Parker as the Spurs won the series in five games.
Previous NBA Career: Payton was Sports Illustrated’s NCAA player of the year during his senior season at Oregon State, after which he was selected by the Sonics with the second pick. Though Seattle already had a capable point guard in McMillan, Payton was the starter from day one. He had difficulty with the expectations, an inaccurate jumper, and the methodical system of then coach K.C. Jones. Trade rumors dogged Payton, including the notable one that reportedly would have sent Payton and center Benoit Benjamin to Houston for Hakeem Olajuwon. After Jones was fired midway through Payton’s second season, he began flourishing in new coach George Karl’s aggressive system. While teammate Shawn Kemp won over fans with his aerial theatrics against the Golden State Warriors in the Sonics’ first-round upset, Payton garnered the nickname that would stick with him throughout his career -- the Glove -- for his sticky defense on Tim Hardaway. As a result of long hours of work with assistant coach Tim Grgurich, Payton’s field goal percentage leaped 43 points in year three as the Sonics developed into one of the West’s top teams with Payton at the helm. During the 1993-94 season, he was named to the All-Star team for the first time as the Sonics ran off the NBA’s best regular season record with Payton averaging a career-best 16.5 points per game and topping 50% from the field. The year ended poorly, however, with the Sonics’ first-round exit pinned largely on Payton’s shoulders after a poorly-timed locker room fight with teammate Ricky Pierce during the playoffs and a big series from Denver point Robert Pack. 1994-95 was more of the same; Payton had his finest year to date with 20.6 points and 7.1 assists per game but was widely criticized for his lack of leadership. During the playoffs, Payton was outplayed by L.A.’s Nick Van Exel as the Lakers upset the Sonics. During the 1995-96 season, Payton answered many of his critics’ questions as he led the Sonics to the NBA Finals and was named Defensive Player of the Year. With Kemp struggling the following season, Payton stepped up his offense, averaging a career-best 21.8 points per game. After the season, Kemp was traded for Vin Baker, clearing the way for Payton to be the Sonics’ unquestioned star. However, his shooting percentage and scoring average dropped the next season, though Payton averaged a career-best 8.3 assists per game. The following season, Payton had to take a larger role in the Seattle offense and his shooting percentage suffered, dropping to a career-worst 43.4%. He was merely preparing himself for a phenomenal 1999-2000 season that was arguably the finest of his career. Payton set career highs with 24.2 points, 8.9 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per game. During the playoffs, Payton recorded the Sonics’ first ever playoff triple-double with 35 points, 11 assists, and 10 boards as the Sonics fell just short of upsetting Utah in the first round. For his efforts, Payton finished sixth in MVP voting and was named first-team all-NBA for the second time in his career. Payton was unable to match his success the next season, being suspended twice by the team for insubordination. Additionally, he missed games -- two -- due to injury for the first time since the 1991-92 season. On the court, Payton’s play was slightly off from the previous season and he had to endure trade rumors near the deadline.
Shooting/Scoring: As he has shouldered more of the Sonics’ offensive load and increased his three point attempts, Payton is no longer the 50% shooter he was as a young player. Last season, Payton cut his three point tries to 236 -- less than half his total from the 1999-2000 season. As a result, his 46.7% shooting percentage was his best since the Sonics traded Kemp. Payton is one of the league’s best-rounded offensive threats. At a powerful 6-4, 180, Payton is a force in the post for the point guard. This aspect of his game is perhaps underused, but Payton frequently plays in the post down the stretch. His pet move against smaller defenders is a turnaround jumper from the left block turning towards the baseline. On the perimeter, Payton is equally adept at and willing to shoot a jumper if his defender backs off or drive by him if he plays up close. Relatively unnoticed last season was that Payton set a career high for free throw percentage. His mark, 79.7%, still wasn’t great but a fairly significant improvement.
Floor Game: As he has aged and matured, Payton has become a more willing and more capable passer. His 9.0 assists per game last season were a career high and good for third in the NBA behind Jason Kidd and Andre Miller. Amazingly, considering the amount of time he handles the ball, Payton turned the ball over less than Kidd. Payton’s 3.53 assist/turnover ratio was also the best of his career and one of the league’s top marks. To be fair, it is true that Payton does get many of his assists simply by holding the ball so much; he’s certainly not as talented at setting up his teammates as Kidd. However, that makes his turnover rate all the more impressive. Payton usually makes the heady play and, despite his street background, is not a particularly flashy passer. When he plays off the ball in conjunction with another point guard, Payton is effective at freeing himself for shots. He runs the pick-and-roll very well.
Rebounding: Though Payton has been unable to match his career high 6.5 rebounds per game from the 1999-2000 season, his 4.8 board average was still one of the better marks amongst point guards. Payton turned it up to another level during the playoffs, when he led the Sonics with 43 rebounds in five games against San Antonio.
Defense: The one area where Payton has declined noticeably as he has aged has been on the defensive end. Because of the fact that he has to play 3000-plus minutes per season, Payton has had to cut back on his effort at the defensive end of the court and is now able to play the lockdown defense that earned him the nickname “Glove” for short stretches. Even in his prime, Payton struggled with smaller, quicker guards who could shoot from the outside (Pack and Van Exel -- at least in the context of the two series -- to name two). With Payton now 34, this effect is exaggerated and he struggled horribly against players like Houston’s Steve Francis and Phoenix’s Stephon Marbury. Only in the playoffs, against Parker, did fans really realize the extent of Payton’s defensive struggles and the fact that his all-defense position was a sham. While Payton may not be as good as his reputation any longer, that should not be taken to mean he’s a poor defender. On the contrary, he was still the Sonics’ best perimeter defender and the only player they could count on to shut down a high-scoring outside player -- even if not for 48 minutes. Against the vast majority of point guards, Payton did a fine job and players like Francis and Marbury give almost any defender trouble. At this stage of his career, Payton might be better suited to defending shooting guards and this could well be in his future.
Intangibles: Off the court, Payton was a different player last season. He demonstrated unprecedented leadership, helping tutor his rookie backup, Earl Watson, who Payton repeatedly wished would be his eventual successor. He gave neither McMillan nor his teammates any problems last season, and was also surprisingly cordial with the media, with whom he had a testy relationship in the past. However, the key to this change might have been Payton’s hope for a contract extension and problems have cropped up again this summer, when he has threatened to hold out if he doesn’t receive an extension.
Overall: The Sonics made the playoffs last season solely behind the contributions of Payton, who has continued to play at a high level despite his advancing age. Though Kidd is generally considered the best point guard in the NBA by the media and fans, the only area he is markedly better than Payton is on defense. Considering Payton’s dramatic scoring advantage over Kidd, it is no stretch to think that at age 34 Payton is still the best point guard in the NBA. Because he keeps himself in peak physical condition and has a virtually unmatched tolerance for pain, a noticeable drop-off in play in the near future would be a major shock. Nevertheless, the Sonics have been unwilling to give the impending free agent the contract extension he so desires. Payton has responded angrily, threatening to hold out and asking for a trade. No movement in the situation is likely, with the Sonics holding the upper hand in negotiations at this point. Payton will have to behave himself this season in order to improve his market value for next summer’s free agency. Expect another typical Payton season on the court and a repeat of last season’s off-court behavior.
October 1 Update: Upset that he did not receive the extension he desired, Payton skipped yesterday's Sonic media day before arriving for camp late today. December 1 Update: Entering the final year of his contract and showing no signs of slowing down, Payton continues to show the Sonics why it would be foolish and utterly stupid not to give him a contact extension. Even though his defense has gotten worse, he has become a smarter offensive player. Instead of forcing shots like he sometimes did last season, Gary has done a better job of finding his teammates as shown by his league-leading 10.3 assists per game. His highlight of the season so far was a career-high 18 assists in a win over Houston. However, the disappointing part of Payton's game this season has been his defense, which may not be surprising after we watched the San Antonio series. While Gary is still a smart defensive player, he just doesn't have the quickness anymore to keep up with the NBA's younger point guards. Overall though, his averages of 21 points and 10 assists per game give no reason to complain.
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