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Oklahoma City Thunder: Predicting all-time starting 5 in NBA 2K18

By Kenneth Teape

LAS VEGAS - JULY 15: Kevin Durant #35 of the Seattle Supersonics poses with Gary Payton after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during the NBA Summer League on July 15, 2007 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS - JULY 15: Kevin Durant #35 of the Seattle Supersonics poses with Gary Payton after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during the NBA Summer League on July 15, 2007 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Oklahoma City Thunder: Predicting all-time starting five in NBA 2K18
Photo by: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images /

Point Guard: Gary Payton

Many fans of the Thunder will probably be upset that Russell Westbrook isn’t in this spot. He will more than likely be on the team, as he is already one of the best players that have played for the franchise. However, arguably the best player in franchise history is Gary Payton, who happens to also play point guard.

Payton finds himself atop many of the franchise’s all-time statistics list. Out of the 51 statistics that Basketball-Reference has on the team index pages, Payton sits atop 14 of them. Basketball-Reference lists the top-10 for every stat, and Payton made 32 of the lists.

Among the statistics that Payton leads the franchise in are games played, minutes played, field goals made and attempted, 2-point field goals made and attempted, steals, assists and points. In his 13 seasons with the SuperSonics, Payton went to the All-Star game nine times and All-Defensive Team nine times. He also took home the Defensive Player of the Year award for the 1995-96 season.

Payton was easily the best player to suit up for the Sonics. He spent the first 13 years of his career in Seattle before moving on to try and win a ring. He eventually won that elusive title in 2006 with the Miami Heat. The Glove is not only the best point guard to play for this franchise, but arguably its best player as well.

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