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Ishaan Bhattacharya: Gary Payton shares his take on Luka Doncic and his defensive evolution, "You have to be dedicated to playing defense. Maybe it’s not good for him; he’s a scorer. If he puts his mind to it... It’s a mindset to play defense... I don’t think Luka is a defensive player; he’s a scorer. But now. If he wants to, yes. But does he want to do it? That’s up to him, not up to us. He’s an athlete. He’s got great ability, but now does he want to go change it and prove people wrong that he can play defense? If that was me, I would change that. I'll go out there and try to defend somebody, get in shape, and do the things I gotta do."
Gary Payton shares his take on Luka Doncic and his defensive evolution,
— Ishaan Bhattacharya (@IshaanBhatta) June 5, 2025
"You have to be dedicated to playing defense. Maybe it’s not good for him; he’s a scorer. If he puts his mind to it... It’s a mindset to play defense... I don’t think Luka is a defensive player; he’s a… pic.twitter.com/pEPd7VoGHD
Gary Payton on Nico Harrison trading Luka Doncic: 'It wasn’t his call to make that decision. He made a decision based on what he was told to do'
Gary Payton: And then I feel for Nico, man. Nico was my rep at Nike—that’s like a little brother to me. He always looked up to me like that. So I feel for him because of what he took, you know what I’m saying? People don’t understand—he’s the President and General Manager. He can’t make those calls on his own. An owner has to make that call. He can’t just say, “I’ll make the call.” Because he was going to get fired. So all you fans out there blaming him like that— Get up out of here with that. It wasn’t his call to make that decision. He made a decision based on what he was told to do—what was supposed to be done—and that’s what they did.
Gary Payton: People just don’t understand. I think—and I always tell Shawn—I say: “If we wouldn’t have gotten our egos messed up, and his ego messed up—if he would have stayed with me more years—he’d be a Hall of Famer by now.” You know what I’m saying? Because we would’ve made a bigger dynasty than what we did. We were one of the greatest duos to ever play with each other. And now, I’m trying to get him in the Hall of Fame for what he did with me. You know what I’m saying? I just think I had a blessing to play with a person with that much talent— because I could just throw the ball up to him, and he would go get it from anywhere.
Gary Payton: Then I started playing, and I started feeling better and better. We were down too much in the series, and I just started saying: “Let me guard him.” And he [Jordan] was averaging 33 points at the time. Then I started becoming a pest for him. I brought it down to 23 points. And what do coaches do when they have a problem? They try to solve it. Jordan was starting to take it personally with me, which is what I wanted to happen. Then Phil Jackson said, “Nah, let me put somebody bigger on him and distract him—make it a problem.” And he put Scottie Pippen on me. Pippen is a bigger player than me—he’s 6'7", he’s mobile. And it started taking a toll on me— Trying to score and guard Jordan at the same time—it took a toll.
Jorge Sierra: Russell Westbrook passed Kevin Johnson and Bob Cousy in playoffs assists for No. 19 in NBA history. He also moved ahead of Andre Iguodala and Gary Payton in steals for No. 27... and Clyde Drexler in scoring for No. 32. Big night for Russ.
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The 2006 Miami Heat were a team defined by resilience, leadership, and the emergence of a new NBA dynasty. Led by the dynamic duo of Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal, the Heat transformed from a promising squad to an NBA champion in just one season. Wade, in particular, had a historic playoff run, taking control of the Finals with a performance that earned him the Finals MVP. The Heat battled through adversity, especially in the Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, where they came back from a 2-0 series deficit to win four straight games, clinching the title in six. Wade’s ability to dominate offensively, coupled with Shaq’s presence in the paint, was the perfect recipe for Miami’s success. The team’s victory not only solidified Wade’s place as one of the league’s elite players but also marked the first NBA championship in Miami Heat history, establishing the franchise as a perennial contender and setting the foundation for future success in the years to come. Finally, Payton got the ring. Not as the lead guy, but as the vet. Riley believed in him.Wade went nuclear and when it mattered most, GP helped get it over the finish line.When Wade kicked it to us, all we had to do was make a shot and then play D,” recounted Payton. “And that’s what we did.”
Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant shared a unique and respectful relationship both on and off the court, forged through mutual admiration and fierce competition. As two of the most dynamic and accomplished shooting guards of their era, their battles in the NBA Finals, All-Star Games, and Olympics showcased a deep respect for each other’s game. Wade, known for his explosive athleticism, tenacious defense and ability to take over games in critical moments, often found himself in the shadow of Bryant’s larger-than-life persona and his relentless drive for perfection. Kobe, with his meticulous work ethic and insatiable competitive fire, was a role model for many young players, including Wade, who once admitted to modeling parts of his game after Bryant’s.
Their meeting in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where they both played together for Team USA and shared leadership duties, epitomized their brotherhood in basketball. Despite their rivalry in the NBA, particularly when Wade’s Miami Heat bested Kobe’s Lakers in the 2004 Finals, the two would go on to form a lasting bond, with Wade often speaking of Bryant as a mentor and an inspiration. Their connection remains one of the most enduring friendships in basketball, built on a shared love for the game and a mutual respect for each other’s greatness. Payton played with both. He saw what made them tick. The similarities were clear: the will, the big shots, the killer instinct. But Kobe’s two-way dominance stood out.Still, Payton has nothing but respect for both. “They both had the dog in ‘em,” said Payton. “They were both the same.”
Gary Payton II on his dad: 'I don’t have to worry about him no more yelling and barking. I know I’m doing something right'
Before Payton II left the hardwood, he walked across to get a hug and congratulatory words from his father, words that the younger Payton relishes now because it was quite the opposite during his youth. “When I was growing up, he always used to talk and say something during the game,” Payton II told Andscape. “Now, he don’t. He just enjoys the game. So, what happened a while ago is now peace of mind for me. I don’t have to worry about him no more yelling and barking. I know I’m doing something right. “He likes coming to the games. I got to be doing something right for him to keep coming.”
Jorge Sierra: Giannis Antetokounmpo has passed Gary Payton and Derek Fisher in playoff scoring for No. 57 in NBA history. He moved ahead of Serge Ibaka and Dikembe Mutombo in rebounds for No. 54.
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StatMuse: Last four players with over 225 steals in a season: Gary Payton, Scottie Pippen, John Stockton, Dyson Daniels. Elite company.
Anthony Chiang: Micky Arison reacts to HOF honor in press release issued by the Heat: “I am deeply honored to be joining Heat greats Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Shaquille O’Neal, Ray Allen, Tim Hardaway, Gary Payton and of course my dear friend Pat Riley in the Basketball Hall of Fame. When my father Ted Arison brought the Heat to Miami almost 40 years ago, he did not do so for accolades. He did it because he thought it was best for Miami. Madeleine, Nick, Kelly and I have been the proud stewards of that vision and are so proud of what the Heat mean both in our community and to fans around the world. For some, this is an individual honor. But for me, this speaks to what our entire Heat family – players, coaches, staff and fans – have built together. “I look forward to enshrinement weekend in September, as well as future enshrinement weekends where more members of our Heat family will enter the Basketball Hall of Fame.”
Mamukelashvili didn't play in the third quarter. But in the final frame, he lit up the Knicks for 21 points on 8-of-8 shooting, including 4-of-4 from 3-point range to go with 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Mamukelashvili heated up so much that teammate Chris Paul started calling actions down the stretch to get his teammate more looks. "Luckily, I've played for a while and sort of know the art of getting guys shots," Paul said. "Mamu is an amazing teammate. He comes in and works hard every day, cheers guys on, always in a good mood, good attitude. When he's shooting the ball like that, you just try to find the guy." Mamukelashvili became the fourth player in NBA history to shoot 90% from the field, 100% on 3-pointers and 100% on free throws in a game, joining Tyrese Haliburton (2022), Gary Payton (1995) and Charles Barkley. He also ranks as the third Spur to knock down 7-of-7 or better on 3-pointers, joining Matt Bonner (2010) and Steve Smith (2001).
With that being said, Payton II says the best advice that his dad ever gave him was “don't be like him.” “Probably the best advice I got from Gary is ‘Don't be like him,'” says Payton II in a one-on-one interview on behalf of his investment in SUPLMNT. “He told me, growing up, he said, ‘Don't try to be like him. Don't try to be like me. Just be on the side of me. Once he said that, I understood what that meant. I created my own path, my own way.”
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