Hoops Habit
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Best Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee from each NBA franchise

By Daniel Lubofsky

INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. 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 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. 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 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Gary Payton
Gary Payton (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best OKC Thunder Hall of Fame Inductee: Gary Payton

Gary Payton may have been the second overall pick of the 1990 Draft, but his career didn’t exactly explode out of the gate as many top picks tend to do. It took him a few years to get acclimated to the rigors of NBA basketball, but once he did, the man was a nightly terror for the opposition at both ends.

Throughout his 12-plus seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics — now the Oklahoma City Thunder — Payton garnered a reputation as one of the most feared defenders in the league. Only 6’4”, he wasn’t the most intimidating, but he possessed an internal drive among the best that motivated him to work like a magnet on opposing players.

Hand in hand with his physical traits was an equally annoying mouth that was rarely shut during a game. Trash talking is how Payton got his edge, and it’s also how he got plenty of guys off theirs.

He is a nine-time member of the All-Defensive Team and the only point guard to ever take home the Defensive Player of the Year award. For all the headaches he caused at the defensive end of the floor, not too many people recognize Payton’s abilities offensively, where that same tenacity helped him thrive.

Payton was quick off the dribble with a bully-ball mentality in the post against smaller point guards. He averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 assists per game as a SuperSonic, asserting himself as one of the best two-way options in the game.

When he first arrived, Seattle had failed to make the playoffs the previous year. That wouldn’t happen for another nine seasons as Payton routinely had his team in the mix, fighting for the chance to represent the Western Conference Finals.

The closest they got was in 1996 when they made to the Finals, only to run into a Chicago Bulls squad during their historic 72-win campaign. Despite going down 3-0, Payton fought hard to lead a comeback over the next two games only to witness defeat in Game 6.

A professional NBA franchise hasn’t resided in Seattle since 2008, and it’s been devastating for such a passionate fanbase. It’s why the days of Gary Payton are cherished even more despite a title evading them. The Glove was fearless and a joy to watch given how much he cared, a level of commitment and production the fans would love the chance to witness again.